Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-07-06
THE JUST and THE UNJUST.

I'LL UUUl fIliD I'LL UilUUUI.
1T falls on the just and the unjust"
said Heath Kirkland, refectively, craning
laziy forward TO watch two handsome
young women who stood in the doorway
of a flower shop near by waiting for the
coachman of a dark-green coupe to force
his FESTIVE horses to the half-submerged
curbstone in its front.
'Mostly on the just" supplemented
Wesley Hartford, with conviction.
''Why sou queried Kirkland, much en-
crossed in the rain-drenched and slushy
sidewalk, the backing and maneuvering of
the coupe, the coachman's irate handling
Of his reins, and the pretty boots of gra-
ciOus outlines of the two dismayed votaries
of fashion, who, handsomely gowned,
laughing and uncertain, stood with dainti-
ly raised skirts, contemplating the muddy
and WOefUl distance which separated them
from their carriage.
Long, sIanting sheets Of driving rain
0bScured the January afternoon.
Fitful gusts of wind, blowing up per-
sistently from the river, dashed Il fine
spray, mingled with mist and fog, inward
through the open doorway.
Line after line of electric cars, crammed
with moist ngers-whose dripping
perS OF their temporary neigh bOrS-ran
up and down, IN and out. on the neutral
ground Of the broad thOrOughfare in
front, and a few belated pedestrians hur-
rled along in mackintoshes and with bent
heads, while, although still early, long
vista of electric lights began to glimmer
on either side, in Difference to the increas-
ing and steadily gathering gloom of the
cherries and bleak afternoon
Because" explained Hartford, ''the
Just is a man of sensitive scruples. He
seIzeth not the passing opportunity of
fellow beings loss or failure by the hair
of the head, with 4 view to add feathers
20 his own nest; and consequently. when
the rain does fall he is mostly obliged TO
pursue his honest vOcatiOn-Whateve
that may be-on foot, in poverty, and
with much discomfort to himself Where
as the unjust, old man-all! the unjust
is devilish clever fellow.
ENTIRELY too clever to let so imperti-
Dent a thing as a moral scruple interfere
to prevent his looking unrelentingly after
his best interests. even If he treadS on the
toes of his neighbor and best friend III
doing so. while comprising his ends"
kirkland looked around and laughed
amuSedly; then resumed his engrossed Oc-
cupation of peering intently through the
plateglass of the club window at the
picture before them. The view they had
Of pots of ferns, jars of cut roses and
flowers, nasturtiums and pale lilies Of the
valley. orchids and Towering almonds, all
moist and bright hued, in the flower shop,
was excellent, because they were en-
ScOnsed III easy chairs in q deep bay win
dow, which protruded slightly over the
sidewalk
Old Jacques Dubois. who had been un-
der gardener at the Jardin des PIantes
mad wisely chosen when he located next
door to the clubhouse where the discus
sion on rain was being held
My observation is that the American
whether just or nOt-is a sensible. clear
headed fellow, with a good eye to his own
and other peoples business, a sufficiency
cent citizen. What more do you want?"
on. very little said Hartford. placid
~. Only a dash of genuine, disinterest-
ed honesty and an interest in the welfare
of his community of sufficient breadth to
swallow up his own small individuality.
leaving margin of profit for future gen
erations.
I imagine" continued this idealst.
those were the sort Of men who thought
1T worth their while to start that conten-
tious revolution, that rumpus we had
with old England little over a century
ago"
Plenty of 'em left declared Kirkland
.contentedly y. Lots of patriotism and
pubic spirit in this country, old man.
mixed up with your carping, Disseminated
fellows; Guess We'll pull out all right
IN the long run, and hold our own with
other races. This is a great country
80 1t is" assented Hartford. Great
est IN the world. More coal, and iron.
and ore, and forests. ana rich lands. and
opportunities, than you can find on the
face of the globe. And a lot of political
parties, and corporations, and monopo-
lies, and disconnected miners and mill
operatives around, too. Pity its inhabi-
tantS-
oh, shut up. They are all right. Es-
peclally the feminine portion" declared
Kirkland. Now look at those two girls
over yonder. You might search the world
over and not find anything sweeter. or bet
ter, or more charming"
That's true" assented Hartford, bend
ing forward to get a still fuller view.
The storm of rain had increased. if that
Were possible. and the two inches of water
running over the Schillinger ''banquette'
"a quaint lOcahsm) would have inevitably
submerged the pretty patent leather foot
gear of the visitors to the flower stand and
spoiled much silk and valencia mes before
the haven Of the green coupe could have
been reached.
SO 'contre fortune, bon coeur," they
clearly thought, for they drew forward
two chairs and settling themselves COM
fOrtably, unearthed a box of Huyler's.
made a jest of the bowling wind. the driv-
ing rain and the drifting winds from the
river, as their animated chat and bright
laughter clearly attested.
Blarketing his horses. the coachman.
well buttoned up in his waterproof sat
resigned and motionless, and the street
grew more and more deserted
''Prettiest girls in town! That's Au-
rore Templeton over on the left. The
one with gray eyes and dark hair: she's
4 queen! perfect queen! and just as
fine and good as she's handsome" de-
ciared Kirkland enthusiastically.
Who is the other?" Queried Hartford,
who, having been abroad of recent years,
was not so ccnversant with the buds and
blossoms Of the brilliant social life OF the
old town.
That's Sue Moreland. daughter of old
Judge Moreland. Dances like a fairy
Pretty little thing. too. But she can't
touch Miss Aurore.''
Where lives the man Gf such a man there
be-,
In idle wilderness or desert drear.
To beauty's sacred power an enemy?
quoted Hartford, cynicaly.
oh, it isn't only that she's so beauti-