The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-05-04
CHAPTER xxx.

NbhHi hSie NNhN.
It was Leslie Harlan's day for dis
tributing books in the library of the
Riverside settlement. Mrs Parsons
set near her, sewing rapidly and stead
ing to stitch her words into the ma
terial she was handling.
Does your father ever discuss busl-
ness with you, Leslie?"
Yes, indeed. He calls me his up
town partner, and insists I'm entitled
to share of the profits"
"Ias he talked much about the Con-
federated Machine companies?"
mot particularly. Why?"
81 wondered II he knew much about
1t. But of course he doesn't There
have been such unwise things done
there of late. You knew John Ken
nard had resigned, didn't you?'
Leslie was very busy hunting for a
book as she answered, and Mrs. Par
sons did not look up from her work.
Yes, saw paragraph about it in
the paper, but some of the statements
were so absurd thought the whole
story might be untrue. intended to
ask Nc, dear, we haven't that book
Did you hear what the child wanted,
Mrs. Parsons?" she asked, as the small
customer retired disappointedly.
mo, what was it?"
"She wanted Sophie, the Laundress
Queen. or the Victim of Wealth."
Mrs. Parsons laughed.
Probably her mother wanted it.
That's the only kind of stuff those wo-
men care about. The men don't read
fiction at all. Mr.. Carthew, of the
University settlement tells me the ma
jority of the men at their library call
for a high class Of reading matter, Of
which books on social or economic
subjects form large percentage
That's sign worth watching, think
One of the junior assistants down
there recommended novel to highly
intelligent mechanic not long ago, who
returned 1t in disgust, saying he didn't
believe any Of the things the author
reported ever happened at ALL"
Il trust It wasn't an historical
novel," laughed Leslie.
ITS possible" observed Mrs. Par
sons. But to return to what We were
talking about. don't understand
business, and I'm old-fashioned enough
to think the business female wholly
superfuous to the evolution of her
sex. However, do believe in woman
using all the influence she possesses
for good on all subjects from babies
TO battleships, and want you to inter-
est your father in this Machine COM
pany affair. OF course he can't be ex-
pected to keep in touch with all the
details. of all the companies he's con-
nected with, and | know he's almost
wholly occupied with the other big
concern, whatever Its name is-The
Milling companies s?-Yes, of course
But I'm sure, my dear, he'll be inter-
ested in the situation at the Machine
company, and it's entirely worth while.
You know Mr.. Parsons is the last man
in the world to get excited, but l as
sure you I've never before seen him SO
wrought up over anything. Let me tell
you about it. John Kennard took the
management of the Consolidated COM
pany or trust, as they call 1t, as soon
as It, was formed, and they say he
made tremendous success of 1t, or
ganized the whole system on the lines
of his own factory-you told me about
that, you know. Hasn't he ever talked
to you about this new work?"
mo, don't think he's ever spoker
of his business at all since he sold hi
| factories"
well, I'm not surprised. l CAV,
him hint once about talking to'
much shop and he's acted on 1t t.
such an extent that he's never opene'
his lips to me on the subject since
However, it appears he utilized all tn
good things in his own factories an
took advantage of everything he say
in the others until he had the Who'll
company running like one of its ow
machines. The work he's done is per
fectly wonderful, they say, and, as
result, the business has begun to
very profitable. Now some ring 1
Wall street Is endeavoring to control
by the most outrageous methods, an
having obtained the benefit of John
skill and experience, they want
throw him over by any means, fair c
foul, because he opposes their NEAR
ness and injustice toward the employe
Go on, dear, I'll finish after you'v
attended to the wants of those sui
scribers."
Three little girls were waiting shyl
at the door, and Leslie called to then
"Come in. Do you want book?"
A shuttle and an explosion of giggls
landed the smallest of the trio In froI
of the table.
"I-want," she began very slowl
T--want-the Red Fairy Book!" 81
ratified of just In time to escape co
lision with the giggle which followe
furiously.
That's out. I'm sorry.--It's the n
teenth call for 1t to-day" she addt
parenthetically to Mrs. Parsons
won't anything else do?"
Have you got the-the-Ladie
Home JournalT
NO"
Have you-got the Elsie Books?"
| "Yaa. vvhtch o0nSp aak.