The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-08
CHILDREN IN MILLS.
n Picture of Young Innocents In Indus
trial Slavery.

u Picture Of Young Innocents In Indus
trial Slavery.
A pallid little child tolls in the fac
tory; his mates are as wan and pale as
he. When at evening from work he
creeps homeward, tired and limp, he
sees the merry school-boys strolling
back from play, hearty and plump
faced; laughing. leaping. carelessly
swinging their bats; at random tossing
ball, full Of fun and sport. hungry
from the fresh air and healthy exer-
else. He never meets them going
schoolward; when they begin to store
up in their brains more of life's won-
derful story than they knew yester-
day. already. for two hours. he has
been at work. Brief and rare are the
snatches of the story that may reach
his ears while yet they are open to re-
ceive it. Ever the task amending, the
same thing over hour after holr, day
after day, week after week, month
after month, year after year. How he
would like to laugh and leap and play!
But childhoOd's privilege for him was
long ago abridged. Still. now and
then his thoughts make daring sport
while his hands keep on unceasing at
their t,sk: What fun 'twould be to
snarl up all these threads, and let the
shuttles jump about all heller SHELTER.
like rats in the basement when the
river + ses and browns them outr'
But play for him exists in thoughts
alone; and soon even thoughts of play
will cease, since the stream of knowl-
edge is turned away from him, and
dulled by lack of use. like we'll made
tool grown rusty. he soon forgets to
think at all.
The gates of his mind swing heavily
to, and open only to the duties known
to the sentry by accustomed entrance
to serve coarse daily wants. Then.
plodding. he goes through life with
body distorted and stunted. with soul
depressed and crushed-perhaps he
vaguely wonders why; this unsightly
ruin of Gods most holy temple.
Yes. why is it thus in a Nation
ca led free? Why is it thus amid a
people protesting love of Him who
loved little children? What offense
can be charged against these little
ones, condemned tc early toll and
slowly darkening minds-while learn
ing's lamp stands freely lit to guide
their fortune-favored fellows? Per-
chance for lack of merit?
Great indeed is their offense: Their
parents are poor and therefore have
need of the brats that they breed!
Yes. the children are slaves. and a
barbarous State mocks their bondage
with laws that their owner must
break. For enactments declare that
the child shall be schooled. but it's
easy to lie in a matter of age. and no
one especially cares.
So the child slaves keep toiling on,
and strong armed men in vain seek
work, or work for scanty hire; for the
lords of the mills have greed; cheap
to them is child labor. and gold is
more precious than souls in their eyes.
but dear comes that toll to the State.
In ancient times twas thought no wall
could ever S land unless with the bloc d
of slaves the mortar was mixed.
We now are wiser, we deem, since
superstition rules us no more. Still
upon our mill owners heads lies the
guilt for the blood of those held in
bondage-blood that might swell the
veins of the children, were they not
held captive within factory walls
Boston Pilot