Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-05-24
CHAPTER XXXIII.

he arose to give his cold hand to Mr.. Phil
brick, who had come at last.
"Why too latei This is only Wednesday.
Have you changed your mindl / did not
SUPPOSE there was so much hurry and
wanted to have everything ready"
ut is too late" answered Philip gloomily.
What use to tell the old gentleman that
Philip Breton's wife was n criminal before
the law that the transfer of the mill property
was only part of his scheme to save her
from an infamous penalty, that their deadli-
est enemy knew all their plans now, and no
doubt her sleepless eyes watched their every
movement, lest they should escape her hate.
The servant came to the door, ~ suppose
you will have lights, sir. Some men from
the mill folks want to see you.n
'Oh, yes; show them in," he said care
leSsly.
There were not chairs enough for the four
workmen who came stumbling in like pail
bearers at q country funeral, but Philip did
not seem to look at them. One took his
place by the window, and soiled the curtain
with his hands; another, apparently the
spokesman, disdained to lean against any,
thing, but stood stock still in the centre of
the room, bent forward little in an attitude
borrowed from the prize ring. His feet were
planted well apart, and his arlns bowed out
at the elbows.
Il suppose you have some complaints to
make" said the young mill owner with
gentleness of tone that was quite miSlnder-
stood by the delegation, who Immediately
tried to look very fierce.
"Yere right, sir" answered Il man in the
center of the room. "Ye krEw yerself, we
aint doin' the right thing by u.s."
Philip did not speak for a moment, and
Mr.. Philbrick would have thought he had
not heard the fellow, only for little twitch-
ing at the corners of his mouth. Apparently
the young man was deeply hurt by his fail
ure to satisfy his men.
81 have done the best knew
"Wal, we kin tell yer, if yc don't know no
better" resumed the workman insolently.
Philips eyes flashed at him, then dropped to
the carpet again. PAY us more wages for
one thing, shorten up our hours for an
other"
"You fare better than others. l divide the
profits with YOU You thought was very
good with you once.n The young mans tone
was not argunentative, it was too hopeless
for that
''Yer don't divvy even; our share don't
mount to much," put in the man who was
soiling the window curtain.
81 am sor1y for you, but you can't expect
mo to make you all rich" There was such a
sadness Of reproach in Philips voice that q
mist gathered before Philbrick's kind eyes.
But the workmen got the idea they were
frightening the young master.
IL have gone as far as l can see my way
Don't you think you had better be patient
with neP'
''Be you goin' to raise our payN Philip
shook his head thoughtfully.
II cannot understand it is my duty or my
right"
''Are you goin' to shorten up our hours?"
asked the man at the window.
II cannot"-
The chief spokesman turned to his COM
panions. ''Ther amt no use Wal, squire,
tomorrow you may wish you had. Como
along, boys"
Philip had dropped back heavily into his
chair. He seemed to have forgotten the pres
ence of Mr.. Phibrck, until that gentleman
began to explain his more perfect system.
"How can you expect your help to be salts
fed" Philbrick was saying; "even if they
were we'll paid it would be small object for
Them to be shut up all their lives, as if they
were convictj. But you don't pay them,
either. 1t isn't because the business don't
pay, for your fathers rrotits and yours were
enormous 1t is al the 1esolt of false valua-
tion of the worth of services. Now shall
seek to remove the burdens that crush the
people and restrict there natural develop
ment."
Philip said nothing. How well his old friend
had kept his enthusiasm through all the
years of his life Well, it would do no harm
to let him talk on.
"You will ask lne for details" Mr.. Phil
brick took his seat again and drew UP to him
sheet of paper and pencil. "You will ask
what burdens they are that are on the mil
lion, besides the common necessary burdens
of human nature Twill tell JoL uhe principal
burden, it is the intolerable tribute to ac-
cumulated capital LAID upon the working
classes, which makes q tyrant of the man who
has saved q surplus out of his wages, and
caused the hopeless Wis inertin of poverty.
Like all forms of slavery its effects are great
apparent luxury, which never penetrates
below the very surface Of society, and tire
less industry which earns nothing for the
workers but food barely enough to support
his days work. 1t is benefit enough for the
man who has saved money that he can work
to better advantage; it is a lever in his hands,
If we permit capital to take such enormous
profits as it does, every day and year it in
creases, as wealth increases, the crushing tax
on labor. I shall pay you but per cent
on the money I shall owe you on account Of
the mill property. The rest of the income of
the business above two per cent, belongs to
the laborer."
The reformer glanced expectantly at
Philip. But the dull, hopeless look that was
on his face an hour ago had not changed.
II am not sure but that is too much," pur-
sued Mr. Philbrick, "but it will only be o
it, while befo, | shall pay UP the debt"
tra w2s 20 ,.&l i'll stopping the - =, ~
astic old gentleman, whose great heart was a
fountain of human kindness. 1t would be
time enough for Philip to tell him that he
hnd changed his rln-. later.
''iint I shall also shorten the hours Of work.
Six hours of confinement in the mills is
enough, and withouk leisure all the advant-
ages I can give my work people will be Of
little avail. can let different sets of hands
relieve each other if it seems necessary, or
build new mills and take in thousand more
hands to share the blessings Of Justice"
Mr.. Philbrick leaned back in Ills chair and
q great light of benevolence shone in his
face 1t was pity to disappoint him.
''This is an opportunity have hoped for a
whole lifetime can show the world that
labor ought not and need not be wretchsd
and famished 1t is more blindness than
willful cruelty that delays great reforms If
can once show the world what justice is
and how it works it will not be long be-
fore
"8ut, my dear friend" said Philip, drop
ping his eyes to the floor, "did not tell you
II was too late! l am not going to sell. You
will have to select some other spot for your
Utopia" The young man spoke bitterly.
Unconscious Of his selfishness, he begrudged
the rest of the world the happiness he had
missed.
Then came moment of intense silence
which was broken at last, not by q voice, kut
by the loud ringing Of door bell 1t rang
SO violently the great, silent house echoed