Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-23
THE CRISIS.
BY HARRIET =. CIRCUIT.

AcHs ctrong, reported millionaire
stood in the bay window Of one OF Chi
cago's mansions one brilliant sunshin,
Decembcr morning. There had beef
a light fall Of snow the night before
the breezes had played with it and dis
tributed It most unequally. The mil
lionaire was watching his enterprisiu,
young neighbor over the way, who in
habited the poorest house on Tn,
street, and who was out shovelin,
snow from his sidewalk. Mr.. Strong
was in meditative mood. Although
surrounded by every evidence O
wealth and luxury he did not look MOI
act like q man who was perfectly sat
isfed with life. He had been pacing
up and down the room more like some
Gagged animal than like prosperou.
member OF the board of trade.
ut is time that Hobbies was hcrcm he
was saying as he walked up and down
making an occasional pause ct the
window '.Why does he not come? ]
am anxious to know my fate. Wealth
or poverty-which is it to be for the
future? That fellow over there shovel,
ing snow for exercise works on salary,
and has no business cares. wonder
who is happier. he or l? How we are
hampered by our environment!
would really like to take shovel and
dispose Of those drifts still reposing
undisturbed on our front steps. The
exercise would do me good, but what
u shocking thing it would bel The
servants, the family. the whole COM
munity would be shocked, inexpress-
IDLY shocked A hundred dollar bill
would hardly induce one butler to so
far compromise his dignity as to
shovel snow. And if should do it!
have half mind to try him with a
bill and see what the effect would be-!
He is fond of money. A hundred dollars
SO easily earned would be temp
tation. am curious to know what he
would do! The experiment would
probably result in his giving notice.
and Mary would be sorry to lose him.
/ wonder when l saw her last? She
seldom takes breakfast with me. Last
night came home late; she had gone
for the evening" and came home later
still! Yesterday-did see her yester-
day? Yes, we passed each other in the
hall and said good morning and good
by! We had an hour together Sunday.
Blessed be Sunday! Mary and l are
on the best of terms have not
quarreled for ten years! l think we
love each other. But we are both SO
busy. She has the care of this great
house. and company, and society! /
have business interests, and the club,
and little politics. So our home life
gets lost somewhere. wonder il we
are any happier than we were in the
I'D simple days when we lived for each
other, instead of for servants and soci-
,tyl Was that the doorbell? l shall
not breathe freely again until know
whether that sale goes through. If
Inc deal goes against us-my God! 1t
amt go against us! If 1t does shall
oe ruined! II Hobbies would only
.ome! A man needs nerves of steel. in
.hese days to bear the strain of BUSH
less. If the deal goes he will come
himself, that we may plan together.
# it fails--he will write. A messen-
rer will bring the news. That young
nan over there works as If he enjoyed
{. How he makes the snow fly! Here
.omes his wife. Happy creatures!
They have no dignity to be compro-
nised. He can shovel snow and she
AN sweep it without shocking the
whole community. What beautiful
The air is like wine, and
he sunshine turns the snow into ten
thousand glittering diamonds! Surely
hat was the doorbell! Can it be
Iobbes? must not look too delighted
est he should guess how near ruin
m"
1t was not Hobbies, but his daughter
lucy who entered the room.
DO you like the snow, Lucy?" he
.sked. as she came and stood by his
ide Mt the window.
NO. papa! don't like it at all.
an hardly walk to school, the, side
walks are in such q condition. If it
vas little farther should order the
arriage.'
THAT would hardly pay for three
locks Your mother walked two
niles every day that she was in high
chool.
"How perfectly dreadful that must
ave been! Why didn't she take
arp"
ut was q country town, and there
,ere no cars.
20 papa! just look! Those people IN
he cottage are both ont working in
he snow. He goes ahead and shovels
nd she follows with broom. Isn't 1t
90 bad they are SO poor they have to
FORK so hard. / always feel sorry for
UGH people.
"Do YOU? How about those who are
lad to SEQ the snow that they may
arm few pennies shoveling it%
.sTherare wretched, OF course! NO
ody expects them to be happy
..Our neighbors, the snow shovelers,
,ok happy" he remarked.
.sThey always do, but | should be
erfectly miserable If were SO poor.
here are three children and they only
eep one grill She trims her own hats
10. pavv AragS and