The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-01


Perhaps I'd better read u out" said Matt
It seems to me most uncommonly good.
wonder who could have done itr'
Suppose you do your wondering afterward."
said his father impatiently: and Matt began to
read. The positions OF the article were not
such as Hilary could have taken. probably. II
he had boon in different mood: Its implica-
lions were. some Of them. such as he must
have decidedly refused; but the temper OF the
whole was so humane. 80 forbearing. 30 en-
lightened. that Hilary was In glow OF per-
sonal gratitude 10 the writer. for what he
called his common decency. BY the time the
reading was over. "This Is very extraordi-
nary article" he said. and he joined Matt In
wondering who could have done It with the
usual effect In such cases.
II WISH" said Mrs Hilary. "thst every other
newspaper could be kept from those poor
things" She meant Northwick's daughters,
and she added: IF they must know tho facts.
they couldn't be more mercifully told them"
why. that was what I was thinking.
mother" said Matt. But they can't be kept
to this version. unhappily. The misery will
have to como on them shapelessly. as all our
miseries do. don't know that the other
papers are 30 bad"
mot badr' cried his father
mo. They're not unkind to Thorn. except -
they are just to them. They probably repre-
sent fairly enough the average thinking and
feeling about the matter: the thing they'll
have to meet all their lives and get used to.
But wish knew who did this Abstract arti-
Gle: should like to thank him."
The question Is now" said Mrs. Hilary.
What can We do for them there2 Are you
sure you madeit clear to them. Matt, that We
were willing to have them come to US. no mat
ter what hsppened9'
Louise and both tried TO do that" said her
son. when we were there together: and whom
reported to them after wellwater. I told them
again and again what our wish was"
WELL" said Mrs. Hilary. II am glad We
have done everything we could. At FIRST
doubted the wisdom Of your taking Louise to
SEQ them: but now I'm satisfied that 1t was
right. And I'm satisfied that your father did
chance he abused"
"Oh. yes" said Matt THAT was right And
I'm thoroughly glad he's out it II he's still
alive. I'm glad he's out OF it."
Hilary had kept silent. miserably involved In
his various remorses and misgivings. but now
ho broke out And think you're talking
abominable nonsense. Matt. I didn't get
Northwick given that chance to enable him to
escape the consequences Of his rascality. Why
shouldn't he be punished FORT ?"
Because It wouldn't do the least good. to
him or to any one else It wouldn't reform
him. 1t wouldn't reform anything. Northwick
isn't the disease: he's merely the symptom
You can suppress him. but that won't cure the
disease It's the whole social body that's sick.
rs this article in the Abstract implies"
II don't see any such implication in It." his
father sngrily retorted. Your theory would
form an excuse for the scoundrellsm Of every
scoundrel unhung. Whore Is the cure Of the
social body to begin II It doesn't begin at home
with every man init2 tell you. 1t would be .
very good thing for Northwick and every rogue
like him II he could be made to serve his term
In State prison"
The controversy ragged long time without
departing from these lines OF argument on
either side. Mrs. Hilary listened with the i'm
patience women feel at every absence from
the personal ground. the only ground Of reali-
ty. When Matt had got so far from It as to
be saying to his father. "Then understand
you to maintain that II A Is properly punished
for his sins. will practice virtue in the same
circumstances and under the same tempta-
lions that were too much for A." his mother
tried to break in upon them. She did not
know much about the metaphysical rights and
wrongs Of the question: she only felt that Matt
was getting his father. who loved him 50
proudly and indulgently. into corner. and she
saw that this was unseemly. Besides. when
anything wrong happens. Q woman always
wants some one punished; some woman first.
or then some other woman's men kindred.
Every woman is q conservative IN this, and
Mrs Hilary made up her mind to stop the talk
between her son and husband. because she
felt Matt to be doubly wrong.
But when she spoke her husband roared at
her. Don't interrupt. Sarahp' and then he
roared at Matt. II tell you that the individual
is not concerned In the matterl tell you that
It is the interest. tho necessity. Of the oommu-
nifty to punish A for his sins without regard to
B. and. for my part, shall leave no stone I'M
turned till we have found Northwick. dead or
alive. and. II he Is alive. shall spare no effort
to have him brought to trial. conviction. and
punishment" He shouted these words out
and thumped the breakfast table 30 that the
spoons clattered In the cups and Mrs Hilary
could hardly hear what Patrick was saying
just inside the door.
ITO sec Mr.. Hilaryi Aladyi Did she send
her card 2"
"she wouldn't give her name. ma'am: she
said she didn't wish to. ma'am She wished to
see Mr.. Hilary just q moment in the reception
room"
Hilary was leaning forward to give tho table
another bang with his fist, but his wife sue
ceeded in stopping him with q repetition Of
Patrick's message.
"Iwon't SEQ her." he answered. Its prob
ably woman reporter. They're in our very
bread trough. tell you." he went on to Matt.
there are claims upon you as citizen. as a
social factor. which annul all your sentimental
obligations to B as brother. God bless my
soull Isn't @ brother. too. and all the rest Of
the alphabet1 II robs the other letters. then
let B take lesson from the wholesome fact
that AS little game has landed him In jail"
"Oh. I admit that the AS had better suffer
for their sins: but doubt II the punishment
which man gets against his will is the right
kind Of suffering. If this man had come for
ward voluntarily. and offered to bear the PEN
atty he had risked by his misdeed. 1t would
have been good thing for himself and for
everybody else; it would have been real
warning. But he ran away"
And SO he ought to be allowed to stay
awayl You are q pretty Dogberry como to
:,,l iOt htoSh v AZ