The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-07-24
A BIT OF REAL LIFE.

ordinary about this couple. They were
simply rich Americans; quiet, unpreten-
tious people, who lived handsomely, went
to church on Sunday, and endeavored to
bring up their children in common
sense way.
They were on excellent terms with
each other, being of domestic tastes. In
short, they were, with the sole exception
of being somewhat richer than the average,
very creditable specimens of the great
majority of well-to-do Americans who do
not get into the newspapers.
The capitalist laid down his paper as
the lady entered. Really, to Judge from
his eyes, one would have said he was
rather glad to see her As for her, she
evidently had Something on her mind,
and her husband, for the time being, was
of secondary Importance
Sitting down, she shaded her eyes from
the fire.
"John," she said, 81 am troubled about
Margaret, the nurse"
so am |, - said John. WAS thinking
about her to-day"
as there anything that can be done to
make her life pleasanter than it promises
to be after she is married"
"Well--yes, | think there is" and then
he proceeded To detail plan which SC
thoroughly conceded with his wifes view,
that she actually--l5 as she was--went
over to him and kissed him.
CHATS good boy" she said "Mar-
garets suitor must soon be here for his
usual evening visit I'll give orders to
have him brought up, and You can talk TO
him."
After giving the necessary directions she
went back to the sitting room. Presently
Il heavy tread was heard in the passag,
way, and a big, sturdy man was usheret
into the library by an exceptionally nea
and trusty-looklng maid.
The capitalist arose and shook hand
with his somewhat abashed visitor.
"Thank you, Margaret" he said to tn,
woman. "fll ring presently, | want tc
talk little business with Mr. Brown
You may shut the door so that we shall
not be interrupted"
Margaret blushingly retired, wondering
greatly in her honest heart what the
business" might be, and resolving thai
she would make Tom tell her directly
the interview was over.
"Well, Brown" began the capitalist
after giving the visitor chair, ON which
he sat as if it were the most uncomfort
able piece of furniture in existence
"Well, Brown, you know Margaret ha,
been with me now going on fifteen years
and, though we are very sorry TO par
with her, we are glad she is going tC
marry man who will make her good
husband. | don't doubt you are thai
kind of n man, but being a good hus
band is not everything. You want to gel
on in the world and make good home
for you both to pass comfortable ole
age in. Now, you're bricklayer, ! be.
lieve. | don't suppose you get more
than $3 day, and that only in busy
times. Margaret says you have rented
rooms in tencment-house in Avenue b
"That's all right, and don't doubt you
will be very happy there for awhile, bu
five years hence perhaps there will be
three or four children, and you will still
be earning S3 a day part of the time anc
nothing at all the rest. You will in al
human probability be poor laboring mar
all your days. Her life and your lite vii
be spent in crowded tenement; YOU
children will at best have but poor
chance to rise in the world, and they viii
have no end of chances to tall--no matter
whether they are boys or girls.
"Now, propose to give you chance t
do better Ito become leading man in the
town, to have good home of your own
instead of paying rent in n tenement; tC
have fresh air to breathe and opportun
ties ifyou are industrious and enterpris
ing, to make Il fortune. Il will give yor
and Margaret $1,000 if-the capitals
paused, and Brown looked up amazed; he
had never thought of owning so mucl
money at once, and the idea dazzled him
if you will go out West to place know
of and build yourself house and get q
quarter-section of land.
There is plenty of work for gooC
mechanics there, at higher wages than YOU
can get here, and you can see hundre,
ways in which you can save and make in
vestments which will be sure to yield you
a good return
"Just think of i'll Here, a crowded, I'm
heathful tenement. There, house o
your own under the blue sky, Here, NJ
chance to do better. There, almost Ger
tainty, with your habits and character, o
laying by comfortable fortune. Mar
garet will be the wife of one of the hes
men in town, instead OF perhaps taking il
washing to help along when you are ont o
work here
What do you say, Brown-will You do
it?'
Browns eyes had lighted up, and he ha'
Strengthened his shoulders instinctiyely a
the capitalist had briefly set forth tn
possible contrasts in these two lines of life
But when the question was put direct h
hesitated, shuilled with his feet uneasiIy
and at length managed TO say
"Well, it's kind o sudden like. l.
like to talk it over with Margaret belor
giving an answer, It's very good of you
all the same"
That's all right, Brown. Talk it owe
as much as you like till the wedding dag
and then let me know your decision, Tn
$1,000 shall be ready for you the day yo
start for the West"
The wedding day came and MargarC
and her beau waited ON their would-be ben
eIactor, and, with some shameiacednes
made known their determination to stay i
the city
The conversation, substantially us L,
ported, actually took place some six yeal