The Osceola times., 1878-04-06

they should have. Nothing acts more
perniciously than the absurd, extraneous
support called charity"
"Hsar, he,u" said Mr.. Collett
You're very clever fellow, Peter
Go on, my dear boy, 20 on"
"What results from charitable aid =
continued Peter. "The value OF labor Is
kept on an unnatured level. State char.
ity is state robbery, private charity is
public wrong"
That's II, Peter" said Mr.. Collett.
What do you think Of our philosophy,
John ?"
81 don't like it-I don't believe it p
said John. "You were quite right tn
give the man shilling. I'd have given
him shilling myself" -------.--.
"Oh, you would, would you p said
Mr.. Collett. You're very generous
with your shillings. Would you fly in
the face of all orthodox political econo-
my, you vandal"
Yes" said John; Gas the vandals
few in the face of Rome and destroyed
what had become q falsehoOd and nui-
sance."
Poor John |" ssid Mr.. Collett, eve
shall never make anything Of him, Pc
ter. Really, we'd better talk of some-
thing else. John, tell US all about the
last new novel"
They conversed on various topics un-
til the arrival of the invalid's early beds
time parted uncle and nephews for the
night,
Mary Sutton seized an opportunity the
next morning before breakfast to speak
to John Meade alone.
"John," said she, "do think more Of
your own interest--of our interest.
What occasion for yeu to be 30 violent
last night and to contradict Mr. Collett
80 shockinglyH l saw Peter Finch
laughing to himself, John; you must be
more careful or we shall never be mar
ried."
Well, Mary, dear, I'll do my best"
said John. 1T was that ceunfounded
Peter, with his chain of iron maxims,
that male me fly out. I'm not an ice
berg, Mary"
"Thank heaven, you're not !" said
Mary" but an iceberg Aoats-think Of
that, John. Remember, every time you
offend Mr.. Collett, you please Mr..
Finch"
$50 l do" said John. eyes, I'll
surely remember that.
at you would only try to be a little
mean and hard-hearted," said Mary
"just little to begin with. YOU would
only stoop to conquer, John, and you
deserve to conquer"
"May l gain my deserts, then," said
John. Are you not to be my loving
wife, Mary? Are you not to sit at needle-
work in my studio while l paint my great
historical picture? How can this come
to pass if Mr.. Collett will do nothing for
us?"
"Ah, how, indeed ? ;" said Mary. {" But
here's our friend, Peter Finch, coming
through the gate from his walk. leave
you together" And, 80 saying, she with
drew.
What, Meade" said Peter Finch, as
he entered, "skulking indoors on a fine
morning like this I've been all through
the village mot an ugly plsce--but
wants looking after sadly-rosds shame
full fully IN muddy; ity pigs allowed 10 walk on
Dreadful |" exclaimed John.
:" i say, you came out pretty stroLe
last night" said Peter. You quite
defied the old man like your spirit"
q have no doubt you do" thought
John.
"Oh, when | was a youth I was a
little that way myself" said Peter, but
the world, the world, my dear sir, soon
cures us of all romantic notions. l re-
gret, Of course, to see poor people mis-
erable; but what's the use OF regretting
It's no part of the business of the
superior classes to interfere with the
laws of supply and demand; poor people
must be miserable. What can't be cured
must be endured"
THAT is to say" returned John,
"wbst we can't cure they must endure"
Exactly So" said Peter.
Mr.. Collett this day was too ill to
leave his bed. About noon he requested
to see his nephews in his bedroom. They
found him propped up by pillows, look
ing very weak, but in good spirits as
usual
"Well, boys" said he, "here l am,
you see brought to anchor at last The
doctor will be here soon, l suppose, to
shake his head and write recipes. Hum
bug. my boys! Patients can do a.
much,for themselves, / believe, as doctors
can do for them they're all in the dark
together-the only difference is that the
patients grope in English and the doctors
grope in Latin"
" You are too skepticsl, sir" said John
Meade.
"Pooh !" said Mr.. Collett. "Let us
change the subject. want your advice,
Peter and John, on matters that concern
your interests. am going to make
my will to day, and / don't know how to
act about your cousin, Emma Briggs.
Emma disgraced us by marrying an oil.
man."
An Gilman! !" exclaimed John.
A vulgar, shocking GILMAN I" said
Mr.. Collett; ga wretch who not only
sold oil, but soap, candles, turpentine,
black lead and birch brooms. II was a
dreadful blow to the family. Her poor
grandmother never got over it, and a
maiden aunt turned Methodist in
despair. Well, Briggs, the Gilman died
last week, it seems, and his widow has
written to me, asking Tor assistance.
Now, have thought of leaving her a
hundred a year in my will. What do
you think OF it? Pm afraid she don't
deserve it. What right had she to marry
against the advice OF her friends! What
have to do with her misfortunes
"My mind is gu te made up" said
Peter Finch "no notice ought to be
taken Of her. She made an obstinate
and unworthy match let her abide the
conseouences."