Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-02-04

OHefeu MS poor UULle ali 10 Jane 0FdNeS only
an hour or two ago Their feet trod care
lessly on the bits of grass the nervous lover
had scattered along the path.
'But you haven't told me about the meet
ing. Did the agitator have auburn curls as
l said! That is the clearest idea / have got
of a hero
AS he told her his adventure they reached
the ruin and went in. The moonlight poured
through the dismantled roof, and made
white track for itself over the uneven floor,
leaving the rest of the interior in the shadow.
Such as remained of the fallen rafters made
convenient benches for visitors, who might
easily enough imagine themselves in some
old world ruin And the young mill owners
son and Bertha, the hem of whose garment
had never touched poverty, seated themselves
where many penniless young fellow had
wooed some pretty weaver maid to share his
restitution, all for love-soon starved out of
both their lives.
Philip felt all his last nights enthusiasm
coming over him again, as he described the
meeting of the hopeless poor and the life of
the family that had taken him in. He seemed
to be again thrilled with Currans eloquence
as he pictured his noble presence, and tried
to repeat his vivid sentences. Was Bertha
listening So patiently to him or only idly
watching the shadows as they shifted with
the moon2 He hoped she was touched. She
could help him so much to do something for
the thousand souls in the mills if there was
anything could be done. And then it seemed
so sweet to have an earnest thought and hope
in common-one more bond to unite them.
"But what can l do, Bertha9 1t is all so
mixed up Do you suppose my father would
listen to me. But if he would, what can l
propose! If tell him the people are poor
and unhappy, he knows all that. l can't ask
him to divide all his wealth with them; that
wouldn't last so many very long, and then
he couldn't employ them any more-they
would be spoiled for work, and we would all
starve together
81 wish / could see him, said the girl
slowly.
He looked at her blankly.
"Whyr;
Suddenly double tread of feet without,
and the forms of two men, one much taller
than the other, blocked the doorway.
"Hush them" whispered Philip excitedly.
"There he stands"
The men came forward till they stood di-
rectly in the path of the moonlight, which
seemed to clothe them with its silver sheen
No need to tell her which was he; the girl
bent eagerly forward and fixed her eyes on
the majestic figure that stood with folded
arms.
81 am very late" began the shorter man
alphabetically.
Curran did not reply, and the man went on
in a minute more. "What is the news2 /
want to report your village, you know"
"There is no news 1t is the same old story.
What is the good of reporting and reporting,
= and then doing nothing?" The words escaped
between his teeth like the staccato tones of a
cornet II am sick of the word watt it is
the resource of the weak"
''But we are weak Give US time"
Curran unfolded his arms with gesture Of
impotence.
1.-THE injustice has got its growth; it has
fattened ON our flesh and blood, and sucked
out the life of untold generations before u.s."
His eyes shone fercely on the man of caution
81 believe the time has come to destroy
and the crime of murder lies at our
sciences for every crushed soul sacrificed tor
our delay"
Philip fancied Bertha trembled.
"But," began the stranger, in the metallic
voice of the objector, 1.-THE officers of the
league think the laborers are not ready"
'"No, nor will they ever be; they have sub
mitted too long But they are always good
/ for action if somebody will lead them. They
hang ON our lips, but we do not speak"
"Yes, we are spreading intelligence, send
ing out orators like you; we are arranging
political campaigns. By and by capital will
I1e more reasonable"
''Do you fancy then" retorted Curran, Bit
berly, "that the rich will willingly open their
Golfers to the logical workman, out of whose
EARNINGS they have filed them! Isn't it too
delightful to be able to build palace for a
home, and create another paradise for gar
len; to marry off their sons and daughters
when the first coo of love trembles on their
roung lips? Then win they divide" and he
Faised his voice with terrible emphasis,
when there is no escape from it. AS long
IS the people submit, if it be till the trump Of
oom so long the lords and masters will de-
raud them of the price of their labor; SO
ong their wives and daughters will look
own complacently on the sufferings of the
Million, one of whom starves for every piece
f finery they smile to wear"
Philip felt Bertha tremble again, but her
yes never once wavered.
"What do you propose"
Il don't know" muttered Curran, turning
fs head half away, 'but when l see the silent
hging in the hearts of the poor, when | see
le riches squeezed out of their scant, i'll fed
Hood, l am mad with impatience But |
oppose all great changes come most benef-
entity if they are slow. Then there are no
cart sickening reactions. Come out into the
pen air. 1t seems close here
The two men went out and the indistinct
urmur Of their voices was all that could
heard
t'How do you like my hero?" said Philip,
eased that Bertha should have a chance to
,rn from the same source whence he had
en- so stirred Now, she could sympathize
rfectly with him, in the new idea that he
t must have such a great influence over his
e.
He is coming back, she whispered breath
sly, "alone"
Curran looked in astonishment at two
ures starting toward him out Of tho sha-
Tvs. He recognized them at once.
Well, l hope you may have learned some
full truths, he said scornfully, looking the