Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-15
CHAPTER vI.-THE NEW THEORY


CHAPTER vI.-THE NEW THEORY.
The Inheritance was mine. It came
heavily mortgaged. I had not finished
| making my settlement with the tenants at
the time of Lord Waverlands death l
! continued, however, just as l had begun
One morning at breakfast said
Il am almost tired of being landlord,
There are so many responsibilities con-
nected with it. In settling up with my
tenants on the estate find thousands of
! pounds due now, after the reductions |
have made. I cannot go cut and force
| these poor fellows to pay Some OF them
with all the help have given and can give
! will suffer before spring The long wet
season has made the peat unfit to burn,
and what can be done? There is Michael
| Malone has holding OF ten acres, but it
has not brought him a living this year If
it were not for his son in America he could
| never pay his rent. And his is not an ex-
| ceptional case. There are millions of dol
| lars coming from the Irish boys and girls
in America to help keep up this farce Of
| landlordism in Ireland.n
us that true?" asked my mother. 81
did not know money ever came from
! famine
81 remember hearing my father say it
was heavy tax on the Irish-Americans,
this unjust land system of Ireland" re-
| marked Stella.
''That is very true" said I, "and yet we
often hear that if tenants were only indus
trious and sober they could pay their rents.
That may be true sometimes, but very few
of our tenants are intemperate Their
small acreage is not enough to raise food
for the family without paying rent. So
where is my living to come from?"
"Why don't you have the pretty soldiers
come and help you?" asked Myrtle 81
like to see them. Papa had them when he
was here"
Little sister," I said, "when the sold
iers come some one must leave home
Would you like for the soldiers to come
and turn us all away?"
She sat moment thoughtfully, then
said:
''Was it the soldiers that wanted to burn
our house?''
''NO, but it was because the soldiers had
| sent so many from home. The men grew
angry, and wanted to burn our house for
| revenge" I answered.
Miss Stella, if you are at liberty I would
like your help in the library for mo-
| ment," [ said, as we left the table
AS we entered the library I took her
hand. l held it with the firm grasp of a
friend. How sweet, how pure the love of
that plain simple girl seemed to me on
that winters morning. For moment |
did not speak, for fear my voice would tell
her Of my love too soon, and by its unex-
pcctcdness deprive me Of the gift I craveG
For time we stood in silence. 1t seemed
an age to me, so many hopes and fears
were crowded in the pause. But really, IS
time is measured, it was but moment.
Then I spoke.
'Now, my little friend,'' said, cit was
your words that made me take an interest
in this work. Can You help me solve this
problem, how to relieve the suffering and
misery OF cur people,"
Stella's checks flushed as spoke and she
turned from me 10 the table. She must
have felt the impulse Of my heart for she
remained silent Then again I said
II need The aid of your clear Judgment.
VIII you give it,"
Turning hex clear brown eyes to mine,
she said
Sir Lloyd, | know so little about laws
governing landlord and tenant that l can
not aid you in this NATTER
"You remember the widow that had her
oat stack burned and came to beg for mer-
cy ON the rent. I have made her little
house into school room and she is the
teacher"
Il know that, Sir Lloyd" said Stella,
with animation. - have often been there
and helped her with her teaching"
you have been there. when
'tOften Wlcn | have been out riding or
walking. And ] heard how You bought
the improvements on McGee's holding SO
he could go 10 America AID yet q home of
his own. And | have also heard how You
gre fixing up the old tenant houses more
comfortably than they ever We're before, :"
she said archly
"You little spy! 1 did not know you were
watching me-
Il was not watching you, Sir Lloyd,
was only trying to help the poor people,
and heard all the news, you see"
Eyes, | see, you were taking sunlight in
to the poor tenants homes. as you brought
it into ours. Well, they need it. I see so
much filth SO much sorrow and discomfort
that it is terrible. | can find no means of
relief. How can you expect purity and
peace where men must live with hogs and
COWS? Cur tenants live with their animals
that they may save them to pay the rent
How I hate the word!'' | said, leaning on
the mantel and looking at Stella as she
stood idly turning the leaves of an old al
bum that lay on the table.
81, too, have seen the misery and want
that this terrible rack rent has produced.
1t is like some loathsome monster, that
with fetid breath pollutes all within its
REACH" she said, with earnest Indignation.
Bear FRIEND" | said, going to her and
taking her hand within my own, "You
have been more than a friend to me. You
have inspired my heart with sympathy foI
man. Now [ come to you, asking your
help in finding relief for all this woe. !
need your aid and
Just then my mother opened the door,
saying:
MY son, Annie Wren is at the door ask
ing for you" looked at Stella for a mo-
ment. Could leave her with the words
of love unspoken? I was just forming
such words when my mother called me-
Stella seemed conscious of my thoughts,
and the teu-tale blush that mantled he1
cheeks and brow gave me hope that my
suit would not be in vain. For one instant
was undecided. But then turned and
left the room. I found Annie at the door
on her pet pony. I offered to nelp her dis
mount, but she said:
''NO, Lloyd, | cannot stop. Papa sent
this note to you and asked me to bring an
answer"
Iopened it and read the message. and
thought the best way to answer it was to
see Sir Wren myself.