Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-20

Andrew stared at Stuart and did not
know what to say. At last he exclalm-
ed: THAT'S very hard question to an
swer. In my widest dreams never
approached the edge of thought Of q
million dollars to spend. never had
over thousand dollars year in my
life. should think million dollars
would buy up all the hothouses in the
United States, and as for rare speci-
mens-well, 1t takes my breath away to !
Imagine what million dollars would /,
do. But Pm off the track. Yes, I
know what you mean. 1t isn't a ques-
ton of what could get for myself, but
what ! could get for other people, and
I am inclined to believe it is harder to ,
spend money for others than for your
SELF"
II don't know about that" broke in
Eric. II have always believed If
had million dollars to spend in Cham
pion could make good use of it"
eco on, Eric; tell what you would
do" said Stuart. turning to him.
well, for one thing" spoke Eric,
his dark eve glowing under the impulse
of his idea, 81 would build q house or
hall dedicated to the cause of labor.
l would have 1t in the center of every
useful and inspiring idea that could
elevate and enlarge a mans mind,
sensibilities and affections. would
have platform there on which the
best speakers, singers and preachers
could bring their messages to the peo-
pie. would put two of the greatest
joys of the world within easy reaching
distance Of every workingman in
Champion-I mean music and flowers.
They would be under the roof of this
building dedicated to the common peo-
pie.
"Oh. have lain awake many night
! planning out the spending of other
peoples money for my people," said
Eric. with n smile that was sadder
than tears. "The heartache, oh, the
heartache. I have felt Mt the wasted
music and perfume of Gods rich earth!
And IL I had money to use I. could
bring some of these things close to the
lives of these men and brothers whose
lives are spent underground, who live
like animals as If God had never made
the birds to sing and the violets to
bloom. almost hesitate to say to you
two what have felt as have known
of the rich and petted men and women
of society wasting their money by the
millions on their own narrow, selfish
pleasure Willie thousands of the chill
dren of the street and the mine never
heard any sound sweeter than a coarse
note from an unframed voice or felt
the beauty and perfume of anything
better than a dusty weed by the road
side. These wants, these differences
between the rich and the poor and the
miracles OF pleasure for my brethren
and my own consciousness of helpless
ness In the matter have almost made
me at times hnter Of men, BIAS
phemer against God and all the uni
verse. Money! cried Eric as he clinch-
ed his hand on his knee, while the face,
pale and worn from the recent injury,
glowed with the fire of its inward spir-
itnal agony. IF had just what will
be wasted in this town this winter in
wicked display and foolishness, could
make thousand children happy for a
lifetime and save hundreds of souls
from cursing God for ever having been
born into world of such inequality.
have thought sometimes already lived
in hell instead of earth. But Well,
excuse me. didn't mean to get start
ed this way. I'm mistaken and narrow
and one sided and unreasonable and oil
that, and no one knows 1t better than
do. All the same, I am sure that as
there Is God who rules and JUDGES
there will come day Of reckoning for
the men and women who have spent
his money on their selfish pleasures re-
CARELESS of Gods children who have
gone through life starved and parched
for the lack of the beautiful gifts of
their Father which he intended all
should enjoy
There was silence in the room.
Andrew went over to the window and
looked out. He came back to the ta-
bic Mt once and without word cut
half dozen Of the choicest roses from
his plants, hastily rolled them up in a
paper and without word of eXplana-
ton rushed out of the room. Eric and
Stuart could hear him tearing down
the stairs three steps ut n time. They
looked at each other in silence and
then rose and went over to the win
dow.
Crossing the square by one of the
diagonal paths cut through by the
J snowplow was Mrs. Binney. the wife
of the injured miner, the woman who
had come In to see DR.. Saxon the day
before Stuart and Eric had been caught
In the mine. She was carrying n basket
on one arm and was on her way home
} after having been down to Champion
from her house up ON the hill. An.
drew had been up to see Jim several
times.
Eric and Stuart, looking out, saw
Andrew wade through n snowdrift thai
J reached almost to his neck and stop
the astonished Mrs. Binney just as she
was turning OF to go up across the
} railroad tracks. He gave her the roses
in the paper. She put them in her
basket and bowed her curiously shawl
ed and bonneted head. Andrew rushed
back. darted up stairs, pulled broom
J out of the closet, retired to the hall
brushed himself of and. coming back
said. painting: Excuse me. am some
times taken that way. 1t is not dan
gerous."
ut would be a good thing IL 1t was
, that is, If 1t was catching" said Eric
, significantly.
AS for Stuart, he had gone buck to
his seat md Yves very thoughtful, in a
great study over many things.
II nm wrestling with problem
greater than any that ever challenged
me-" he said at last us the others re-
NAMED quiet. 81 need more wisdom
and more knowledge. believe, as
Eric says, TINT money can create
miracles OF a certain sort in Cham
pion, but shall say: Go to, now! Be
hold me! am Stuart Duncan, the
mine owner. l have million dollars.
nm pOinD tn SnpnI fh}o monav FOR