Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-03-24

uluuN Ol the OlOltI lOlhS dluOLS US dIe
fools or numskulls. But in the chill
dren lies the hope of the entire labor
question if they have the right start"
They were all bending over the table
now, discussing the numerous features
of the hall with its almost bewildering
multitude of appliances. There were
to be a model reading room and Ii
brary; several rooms for social gather
ings and various amusements; bath
rooms and gymnasium; a picture gal
lery; n room fitted up expressly for the
use of n lantern and photography, and
other rooms where classes could be
gathered if the time ever came when
it seemed wise to reach out with the
helping hand farther than they saw
the way clear yet.
There's one thing we haven't reck-
Oned upon much" said Eric almost
modify at last. "NVhat use can all
these people make of the various new
things that YOU are going to give them.
if, after all, they have TO spend the
bigger part of their lives, in the day
time at least, underground? And who
is going to say that all these fine things
thrust into the mems minds will not
produce a discomfort that will result in
time in greater misery than the condi-
ton they are now imp
"Why, you old pessimist, would you
say to the human race, Don't smell
that flower today, because you knoW
you may not have any tomorrow and
that Will make you discontentedY Be
cause Il mans life is devoid of all pleas
ant things, shall we keep him in that
condition, for fear he may grow dis
cOntented by knowing something bet
teri"
That's rightr' exclaimed Rhena, her
| eyes flashing. Eric knows better than
to talk that way. Think what these
men have missed all their lives! Sure
/ ly it will be very little for some of
| them to enjoy, the best we can do.
/ And as to the time they are under
! ground, Stuart put your brains to
| work to bring about a condition of Ia
! Dor so that the men can have more
| leisure and see more of Gods earth
/ when the sun shines on it,"
Hear hear" cried Andrew. "'Bring
me- says Aladdin to the slave Of the
lamp, 80 golden dishes full of pearls
and as many more full of diamonds !"
what she asks is apparently impos-
sible now" responded Stuart, but
why should it always be so? Why
should so many thousands of human
beings dig in the ground, in the dark,
in constant and deadly peril. shut out
from most of the pleasures of the earth,
in order that other men like me may
have a more comfortable time?"
Because they don't know how to do
anything else and would not if they
could" said Eric bluntly.
you don't know that, Eric. You only
think SO because they never have done
anything else"
"Well, some one must do mining.
Humanity needs iron for its civilian
ton, and how is it going to get it if
some of us don't go down into the
earth and dig it out? Shall we take
turns around? Suppose we try that?
I'll go down this week, and next An
drew will take my place while | preach
for him, and the next week Stuart
cam
Yes. that would be a fine PLAN
said Rhena. Next you would be want
ing me to go into the mines and serve
my week. And | would be willing
Rhena added in a deep sadness which
sometimes fell upon her, IF thought
it would help to solve any problem and
make life Il greater and more blessed
i.
now. How little we seem to be doing
to answer the question after all! We
need more wisdom, and, dear friends
we have not gone to the eternal source
of all strength and truth as we should
Before we talk over our plans any Ion.
ger don't you think we ought to pray
Rwhile?'
The request was so simply and natu
rally put that the rest at once, as they
sat about the table, bowed their heads
while Rhena prayed. Andrew follow
ed, then Eric, and lastly Stuart. They
were straightforward petitions for wis
dom and larger knowledge of God!
will. The somewhat foggy atmosphere
of the discussion seemed to clear VI
IL ICl tIltlI IllIIc pIuSG W hit lhCN IdlACN
/ with their Father, and the rest of tn,
afternoon they seemed to feel tina
whatever mistakes they might make
t and however short they might fal
, of answering any real problems, thei
! hearts and wills were asking for di
vine wisdom, and their great purpos
was to use all talents and all prOpert.
? for tho I1D1ift of humanity
: About o'clock, as Eric and Andrev
were getting up to go, the doctor cam
! in to see Louise. He had come into tn
} house without being noticed and ha,
r entered the library just as Stuart wa
saying: 'It will be a splendid thin
t for the doctor. 1t will keep him busy
| but he won't be exposed any longer t
5 these terrible rides over the range il
: winter"
| SETf foil o1 r01an N