Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-02-16
HIGGINS CONVERT.

Hiram Higgins was very good fell
low and he quite aeceptabIy filled the
Office Of clerk In a dingy den In the
city. He was a great theorist, was
Hiram, and although he was model
clerk and very deferential to old Skin
ner, the head Of the firm, he did not
think that this world was at all well
managed. He was a Socialist and one
OF the chief spokesmen at their meet
lngs. He even spoke at the outdoor
gatherings on the London streets on
Sundays, and his one object in life was
the making Of converts to his theories.
He sometimes held animated discus
sions on Socialism in the third-class
compartment in which he came and
went to his place Of daily drudgery,
when he could find listeners.
One evening on his way home he got
Into the usual argument and quite de-
molished all that was brought up
against his theory. He thought the
wealth of this country should be di-
vided up. Why should any man come
to the office in the city at 10 and leave
at and have 100000 a year, while he
worked hard at his desk from to 8 for
only e2a week? He had old Skinner
in his mind, although he mentioned
no names. On one listener only did he
seem to make any impression. He
was evidently one of the unemployed
who was in hard luck. His clothing
was ragged and bad, and it was quite
plain that he was ready for the great
divide whenever Mr.. Higgins or any
one else could bring it along. He in
terrupted Higgins talk with such re-
marks as "'Ear. Ear" "BlOomin'
right ye are" Never spoke truer
wori than that, " "Sarve 'em bloomin'
well, Right, says l." etc. etc.
One by one Higgins auditors got out
at their different stations, until Hig-
gins and his convert were left alone.
Pm very much oblig'd to ye, /
am," he remarked, "fur the way We
laid into them blokes. L get off at the
next stop. I'd like to hear the end o.
that argument, I would. Perhaps you
wouldn't come with poor man to his
digging and have sup o. bitter? /
like to ear ye talk. do"
"Well," said Hiram, much fiattered,
II wouldn't mind a pint of bitter with
a friend. Although we have only
known each other less than balf an hour,
yet Think we may call each other
friends. All the world should be
friends.r
Fright ye are ma mate, and ere we
are"
They got out and walked together in
the direction the convert Indicated
Higgins gave himself entirely up to
his guidance, while he himself talked
increasingly and found his travelling
companion good listener.
And arn't ye ashamed to be seen a
walking along the streets with seedy
6loke like me, mate? An you nice
dressed gentleman"
Pm no gentleman, my friend" said
Higgins, land am proud to be seen
with you. I work hard for what get,
and little enough it is can tell you"
''Too bloomin' little, says II replied
the convert, "but think on pore bloke
like me, 100 carn't find no work to do.n
Its hard" sighed Hiram, "very
hard"
"But it does me good, it does, to ear
gent like you argify."
I'm glad to hear you say that. I
like to meet inquiring minds. And, by
the way, I'm going to speak at the open
air meeting next Sunday in Hammer
smith. | would like to have you
come.u
"Pll come. like open air meetings,
Idoes."
The two had walked along through a
maze of disreputable lanes and narrow
streets until they were near the river.
Here they turned into "no thorough
fare" and from that into court and
then up dark stairway.
"Mind yer feet" said the convert as
he led the way, ''this 'ere blooming
stairs bad, it is."
They entered a small dark room near
the top and Higgins could see that the
one dusky window looked over the
river.
"I'll strike glim," said the convert,
and he lit a bit of sputtering candle that
showed dimly one broken-backed chair
and rough table, on which stood an
empty beer mug and the remains of
some bread and cheese on cracked
plate.
"Sit down there, /" said the convert,
and Higgins sat down. The convert
put the candle down on the table and
glared across at his guest.
"Now," he began. "talkin's your lay
an workin's mine. What your talk
i'm of he a praeticin' Of AM what's
the odds? Where's the difference?
They puts the irons on me an puts me
in quod, they does"
"Have you been put in iail?n cried
Higgins, Indignantly. "Why didn't
you let the Secretary know and we
would have helped you with the fund.-
mo, you wouldn't; cause why? You
as does the talkin' looks down on us as
does the practicin'."
"Oh, not at ALL" cried Higgins. II
assure you that
but | says you does, l do. Now
some blokes has one argument an some
has another. Talks yours; here's
mine.n
The convert took from his pocket q
short implement loaded with lead at
the end, and with this he wrapped omi-
nously on the table.
"You argify an q man answers We.
I give him one on his mob an 'e never
say word back, 'e don't. You says
we're brothers an so says I. Now
brother, says diwide.n
What's that?n
II said divide, said. Why should
you have a watch when ain't got
y :