Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-05-21

tried ones, they stop at no sacrifice
when the peace and safety of fathers
and husbands and sons is threatened.
Gray dawn came. In the plebeian
quarter all were strangely astir. 1t was
not a noisy procession that marched
through the gates, but there was set
look on the passing faces which showed
that it might be dangerous to NEEDLE
with them. At anyrate, nobody did.
and by nightfall they were comfortably
camping about the sides and top of
Mount Aventinus. The mobiles could
not believe that these poor plebeians
could be in earnest. They sent mes
senger to ask them to come back.
But the plebeians answered. mo
thank yon, we do not intend to come
back. we like it better here"
The patricians were really disturbed.
1t would be very inconvenient to get
along without the plebeians.
One bright morning not many days
after the secession of the plebeians,
Marcus little daughter Lucretia stood
beside her mother looking towards the
city. Rome has now, even to the
chance visitor, an irresistible and mys-
teriOus fascination. He dislikes to
leave it, and he longs to return to it:
and these people could not resist long
ing looks, even if they were self-exiled.
Mamma" said little Lucretia, 81
don't like it here. Papa and grand
papa are so busy and sober, and you
look so homesick. Can't we go back to
our little cottage again? want to see
my rabbits, and your flowers were so
lovely. Don't you want to go back,
mamma?''
| The tears sprang into her mothers
eyes. Eyes, my child: but they were
so hard and cruel to us there; and here
but who is coming?"
A company of men, evidently patri-
clans, We're approaching. Valerius and
Marcus had seen them too, and had
gone forward to learn their errand
80 plebeians," called out the leader,
| listen to our message"
Valerius gravely replied, "We will
| listen. but we will not heed, unless it
brings good to us as well as to you"
1T is Menenius Agrippa," whispered
Marcus to his father.
II know him." answered Valerius:
'a leader and a spokesman for the
mobiles, smooth-tongued man. Speak
on" he continued, turning to Agrippa.
And Menenius began telling the
plebeians in persuasive tones how much
they owed to the patricians; how they
governed the city and directed the
wars; how they never could have over
come Rome's numerous and dangerous
enemies but for the skill of the patrician
leaders; picturing the future glory of
Rome, in which the plebeians would
share rs well as the mobiles if they
would but come back to the city and
share in her dangers.
Valerius answered boldly:
"Much good will Rome's glory do us
if we must be slaves to Rome itself
Remember, Agrippa, who has fought
the battles. Look at me, see my forty
five wounds, all in front, and not one in
the back yet here | am without the
means of living, or single acre of the
land that has been bought with my
blood: nay, more, | cannot even call
this poor wounded body my own. No,
Menenius. no, we will never go back to
our old WRONGS We will have n city Of
our own. II we have built your houses
in Rome, we can build our own here,
yea, and defend them too if need be.
At this the plebeians shouted: I'VE
will not go back; leave us in peace, O
patriciansl"
this. They were more convinced than
ever that it would be neither pleasant
no safe To have II disaffected city grow
ing up at their very gates.
Listen" shouted Agrippa again, as
the voices OF the plebeians grew louder
and more excited. You promised to
listen Hear this parable"
Hear his parable" commanded
Valerius. The plebeians stood once
more silently listening.
"Once upon time" began Meme
MUS Agrippa, ''the head and eyes and
hands and feet rebelled against the
stomach. We have waited ON you
long enough, they said what are you
good for but to be fed and taken care
of? The hands must work for food for
you, the feet must do your errands, aud
the eyes must keep watch for you. You
are idle and good for nothing. We will
take care of ourselves, and leave you to
look out for yourself So the hands
and feet busted themselves with their
own affairs, the head ceased troubling