Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-13
miscellaneous.
A PROUD WOMAN.


the silence prevailing Lytton hall. In any
other house in the country such death like
stiffness would have been pOrtentous. but
here it was no uncommon thing. For years
there had been no children's voices. no
dancing feet, no cheer nor hospitality III
the old gray mansion. Lytton hall was
dead letter to the outside world. and its
naughty owner was almost stranger to
her own townspeople.
The woman-sole mistress of the Lyt-
ton estate and the last of her name and
race-stood in her rich though faded par
lor, and looked out upon a colorless Feb
ruary day.
She was graceful handsome woman,
with face which would have been beau
tiful had it not grown cold and mirthless
in the wears she had lived alone in that
silent house. She was 27 years old and
unmarried.
She was expecting visit from the SUI
perintendent of the Treadwell mills. Sne
owned the buildings. and had sent for this
man to come and confer with her. She OBJ
served with naughty displeasure that he
did not come until long after the hour ap-
pointed.
The Lyttons had been an extravagantt
race. and the last generation or two had
found it difficult to sustain the family
pride upon ruined estate. Miss Lytton S
father had been compe He'd to 60 into trade
and had bought the Treadwell mills, hop
ing in time to cancel some of the debts left
hin by his improvident foretathers. When
he died he left his mills heavily incum ber-
ed, but they were doing sufficient work to
L \ h 10 IN, tnt IL
diciously managed. Miss Lytton had ad-
vertised for superintendent. and had
chosen Gerard Lincoln from score OF ap-
plicants.
Why she had done so it would be diff
cult to divine, since she appeared to dis
like him. She had known him in child
hood and had played at marbles with him
as ardently as though she were not
patrician. When they were boy and girl
their intimacy had continued. He had
helped her with her Latin lessons and as
sisted with her sums. He was doing them
now, though in different capacity. Moth
ing was ever spoken concerning those old
days of prosperity, when he had been able
to meet her upon an equal social footing;
and she now treated him d shade more
imperiously than any other Of her en-
ployes.
1t would have been difficult to imagine
Gerard Lincoln subservient to any one.
He was man of thirty-five years, with
bearing as proud, though not as arrogant
as her own. He was strong man, ply
sicallv as we'll as mentally, and had
physique which a mill hand invariably re-
spected. His face lore evidence of his
decision of character, and was forceful
face. He was a shrewd judge of human
nature, and knew the men in his charge
thoroughly. He was a just man, and one
who exacted obedience.
Had Miss Lytton been like other people
she would have felt graciously towards
this superintendent 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 dozen
times a day that he was insufferable. She
was certain her estimate of him was cor
rect when he entered her parlor three
hours after she had sent for him.
She did not offer him a chair when he
entered her parlor: she remained stand
ing while he briefly told her that he had
been detained at the mills by committee
from the strikers.
and quietly warmed his hands, while she
waited for him to renew his account. He
knew she was impatient for information,
but he would give her none unless she
asked for it.
81 am waitin6 to hear of this commit
tee," she said. controlling her temper by
an effort. IL beg you will tell me in as
few words as possible, what is the present
condition of my affairs"
He. replied without changing his posi-
ton or appearing to be aware of her Of
Tended dignity:
1.-The mill hands struck at noon today :;
the machinery is stopped. The men de-
mand an increase OF ten per cent in their
wages. and refuse to resume work before
it is granted. These are the bare facts,
in as few words as can reduce them"
She began pacing the long room, draw
ing light shawl about her, as if becom-
ing suddenly cold.
This business is more serious than |
at first supposed she said at length,
Tell me the particulars"
They were facing each other now, and
he watched the effect of his words.
81 understand you have been severely
criticised by trades-unon. Its men,
bers are enemies of the aristocracy, and
call such people as you and your ances-
tors, tyrants. If you refuse to grant the
workmen's demand, they propose tearing
out the machinery Of your mills, or burn
ing them to the ground"
She gave contemptuous little shrug.
"If they burn the mills they will kill
their goose of the golden egg" she said
by destroying my property they will de-
stroy their only means of support"
There was once dog in a manger."
he said, dryly. These people have some
of that animals selfishness 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 do?"
she inquired.
1t was the first time she had ever direct
ly asked his advice.
IF you were a man." he said, Il would
tell you to resist the strikers to the death.
If you grant what they ask you will bare
ly earn your daily expenses, and can do
nothing towards paying your mortgages.
You have paid just wages. and as much as
you can afford. There are hundreds of
honest men who would be thankful for the
work at vOur farms -