Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-04-05

The eyes of the two women met. Iher
wills met and struggled for the mastery IN
that moment Undisguised hate was in one
| face, lofty contempt in the other. There had
been one gentle, wistful expression in Berthas
face as she first alighted, but there was no
trace of it now. She had drawn herself up
to her full height, so that the other woman
seemed like child before her, and her hand,
as it fell to her side, opened outward in q
gesture of disdain for the creature her father
had chosen for his wife. It was hardly
second before her rare lips parted. They at
least had not changed. Jane WINGED for fear
of some bitter taunt She had learned how
terrible blow well trained tongues can give;
but the words were only some polite common
place; the tone-well, it caused Mr.. Ellings-
worth to glance critically at his wife. She
seemed vulgar in his eyes for the first time.
Jane tried to brazen it out, but her face only
took on an expression of puguacious insignlii-
cance
"What was it you were saying?" resumed
Mr.. Philbrick as Philip overlook him.
II had forgotten"
'sSpeaking Of business?" suggested the
other, and then continued himself, not dis
pleased at an extra turn. business, say,
is heartless and cruel as death. 1t is pitilcss.
and pity is the noblest of emotions; it is Iil-
generous, it is unfair, VIC have had enough of
it when it grinds SO terribly"
Nh. Phibrick thought his tirade would
surely fetch an enthusiastic retort. But
Philip only walked on by his side in silence;
he seemed intent on some beautiful masses OF
cloud just behind the sun, as he sped on his
way to the west.
'sCan't affc''d it, can't afford it," went on
the old gentleman, Gesticulating with ms
forefnger, ''that is what you would say,
presume; of cours, you can't if tho upper
classes waste tho wealth they do. tell you
thcro l. 70 aaa5o c-:c1ro for ls.,,::.- 'e-!e-
IL. tal I'D tive al.;t Eccty t-.oI.-@"..:4e. GciT
lars year. Why, it is good workman I'D
your mill who earas ten thousand dollars ma
lifetime, adding all bis days wages together.
There ought to bo moe fairness about tnese
things. Such men as you, Philip Breton, Gec
too much-more than any reasonable creature
could want. Now, you ought to 60 right tS
work and distribute your surplus-l near
your real surplus-bacls wherc it came from,
among the Coor. 1t takes but very little
money to buy what can make life comfort
able and complete. Tho rich are always com
planning that they don't enjoy lifo moro THAI
tho middle classes, but they manage to waste
what would make thousand wretched hon,e'
happy without ono pang OF conscience"
''But what do you want mo to dos" askee
Philip in astonishment.
Tho old gentleman's face was flushed with
J enthusiasm.
"Why want you to take hold, and begit
} to make things equal, by paying back YOU
surplus in one form or another Give then
J better homes tc live in. Shorten their hour
so they can have little existence beside
drudgery; pay them better wages"
) Philip looked distressed and doubtful
de had thought the subject over carcfull.
} ana believed ho had done o great deal alread.
fat his poor. His philanthropic friend woui'
! tacn the whole world topsey turvey.
, "Why, you know what the books say
tuat giving SO much would spoil all the spiri
and patience of tho working classes"
4 "Mere arguments devised to soothe tn
: eonscicncos of tho rich," explained Mr. Phi
i. brick with grand air. Though there
Q such thing as unwiso bencvolencc, or
.ouraging paupers and bcggars; but ma
u who works every day of his life isn't beg
IS gar. Your father mado q good investmen
d that brings you in say quarter million
v year. That is rather above what you pa
Is your best workman, but 1t doesn't hurt you
manliness any, my boy. The poorest pal
IS hand in your factory works great de'
d harder than you; you needn't be afraid
degrading his manhood until he gets quartz
8 million"
, "But wouldn't they hang OFF on their oal
uri,css they had to struggle for livelihood