The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-13
A PROUD WOMAN.

uncommon thing. For years there had been no
children's voices, no dancing feet, no cheer nor
hospitality in the gray old mansion. Lytton
Hall was a dead letter to the outside world, and
its naughty owner was almost stranger to her
own towns people.
This woman, sole mistress of the Lytton es-
tate, and the last of her name and race-stood
in her rich though faded parlor, and looked out
upon. eoorless February day.
She was a graceful, handsome woman, with a
face which would have been beautiful had 1t not
grown cold and mirthless in the years she had
lived alone in that silent house She was twenty
seven years old and unmarried.
She was expecting visit from the superin-
tendent of the Treadwell Mills She owned the
buildings, and had sent fer this man to come
and confer with her She observed, with
naughty displeasure, that he did not come until
long after the hour appointed.
The Lyttons had been an 7extravagant race,
and the last generation or two had found it diff
cult to sustain the family pride upon ruined
estate Miss Lytton's father had been com
PEELED TO go into trade and had bought the
Treadwell Mills hoping III time to cancel some
of the debts left him by some Of his improvldent
forefathers When he died he left his mills
heavily lncumbered but they were doing sum
/ sent work to be made profitable In few years
| if judieously managed. Miss Lytton had ad-
vertised for a superintendent, and had chosen
| Gerard lincoln from. score of applicants
| Why she had done so it would be difficult TO
| divine, since she appeared to dislike MN. She
had known him in childhood, and had played at
marbles with him as ardently as though sne
were not a patrieian When they were boy and
girl their intimacy had continued He had
helped her with her Latin lessons and assisted
with her sums He was doing them now, though
| in different capacity. Nothing was ever
| spoken concerning those old days of his pros
! perty, when he had been able to meet her upon
an equal social footing and she now treated him
a shade more imperiously than any other OIL her
| employees
| 1t would have been difficult to imagine Gerard
| Lincoln subservient to any one. he was a man
| of thirty five years, with bearing as proud,
though not as arrogant as her own lie was
| Strong man, physically well as mentally, ana
| had a physique which mill-hand lnvarlaoly re
| spected. His face bore evidence of his decision
| of character and was a forceful face. He was a
shrewd judge of human nature, and knew the
| men in his charge thoroughly. lie was JusV
man, and one who exacted obedience
| Had Miss Lytton been like other people she
| would have felt graciously toward this superln-
| tendent; her interests had prospered under his
| wise management
! He was gentleman; he was a man of liberal
| culture and inherent refinement nevertheless,
! she told herself a dozen times day that he was
! insufferable. She certain her estimate OF
him was correct when he entered her parlor
! three hour after she had sent for him.
She did not offer him chair when he entered
| her parloi; she remained standing while he
| briefly told her that he had been detained at the
mills by a committee from the strikers.
Then he strolled over to the fireplace and qui-
city warmed his hands, while she waited for
| him to resume his account He knew she was
| impatient for information, but he would give
her none unless she asked for it.
II am waiting to hear of this committee,
she said, controlling her temper by an effort
81 beg you will tell me, in as few words as pos
letb 1,,f Il F1,oHV Of my
fairs"
He replied without changing his position or
| appearing aware of her offended dignity:
The mill hands struck at noon today the
machinery is stopped. The men demand an IN
/ crease of 10 per cent in their wages, and refuse
to resume work before it is granted. These are
| the bare facts, in as few words as L can reduce
| them"
She began pacing the long room, drawing
| light shawl about her, as if becoming suddenly
cold.
This business is more serious than 1 at first
supposed" she said at length. 'TeH me the
| particulars"
They were facing each other now and he
! watched the effect Of his words.
! Il understand that you have been severely
criticised by trades union. It's members are
enemies of the aristocracy and call such people
as you and your ancestors tyrants. If you re-
fuse to grant the workmen's demand they pro
pose tearing out the machinery of your mills,
| or burning them to the ground
She gave a contemptuous little shrug
IF they burn the mills they will kill their
| goose of the golden egg" she said by destroy
ing my property they will lose their only means
of support"
| "There was once dog in a manger," he said
/ dryly. 'These people have some of that ami
malls selfshDess; they do not wish to keep their
positions at your terms, but they are unwilling
! to see others in their places"
| what would you advise me to dor she in
| CURED.
/ 1t was the first time she had ever directly
/ asked his advice
4 ''If you were man." he said II would tell
you to resist the strikers to death If you grant
| what they ask, you will barely earn your daily
expenses, and can do nothing towards paying
/ your mortgages. You have paid just wages,
| and as much as yoa can afford There are hun
1 dreds of honest men who would be thankful for
| the work at your terms"
''Then must employ new men"
''But you are a woman, he continued ''and
| your course must therefore be different. 1t
would be hazardous for you to contend against
| four hundred desperate, angry men; ii would be
better to compromise or even bear the entire
loss, than to live here in danger Of having your
property destroyed, and possibly with your life
| iInperiled"
She allowed the shawl to slip from her Shout
ders to the floor, where it lay unheeded at her
feet. Her face in its proud calm, would have
been study for a sculptor.
ut is my wish that the business should be
carried on exactly as though my father were liv-
ing" she said u will not condesce1d to com
pfOihlSe WITH JtieSe OutldWS utfdiui anu
they may burn the mills--yes, and this house
also-before will yield an inch. Employ new
men at once. Their presence in the mill will be
my only answer to the strikers
Your method is courageous he said, 'but
impolitic."
She interrupted him by a gesture.
81 have decided" she told him. mo argument
can alter my determination"
He drew on his gloves preparatory to leaving.
"Since your decision is final will carry it out
to the best of my ability" he said. II can en-
gage almost enough new men in day or two,
and some of the old hands will return when they
fnd the strike is likely to be unsuccessful After
this affair is settled going to tender you my
resignation, for think of changing my oceupa-
ton