The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-12-16
"Figuratively speaking, I presumel~

"Figuratively speaking, presumeT
shimed In Beth primly.
II always thought 500 was fgura-
lively speaking" said Smith. II,
Captain Williams had produced his
pipe, filled 1t and lighted it without
asking permission.
smith says I'm close. I'm notw he
declared. ITO me business is bust.
ness. II I've got money nobody gave
it to me. earned what earned, and
then made that earn more"
''You sure amt given 1t no vaca-
lions, captain" commented his super
intendent dryly.
"And that's right" affirmed Mrs.
Harris with some heat. II believe in
men getting money. Mr.. Harris was
one Of those soft hearted men who
never made the best Of his oprortuni-
ties-always trying to be fair and
square with other men, and what
thanks did he get?"
Mother. pleaser' demonstrated EN-
ma.
ITS true" went on her parent "If
he hadn't been that way. Emma, do
you suppose you'd be here doing your
own work."
Mother. insist-you must not
Mother is perfectly right" inter.
rupted Beth Emma, you don't de-
serve this kind of life"
"But have complainant" demanded
Mrs Brooks desperately. why do
you say such thingsY
Because I've got myself to think
Of" snapped her mother. You're
wasting yourself-tied up to the house
all the time-and everybody-aIl my
friends know just how you're fixed.
You're never invited anywhere any
more"
Completely forgotten" saidA 9TH.
Brooks. who had let himself In ST.
lently and unobserved, stood in the
hall irresoluteiy. watching them and
listening to the conversation.
.Please don't" entreated Emma.
greatly distressed. "It's my affair, and,
besides. before people,
one Of the family since your father
died." put in her mother. Il knew
You should never have married joe
that he couldn't take care Of yon the
way he ought"
Its too late now" said Beth. shrug-
ging her shoulders. Captain. don't
| you think Emma should have more?"
"well. Mrs. Brooks must know her
own mind" he replied. Your father
when he worked for me always had
way Of his own. But II does seem as
If she should at least have hired
girl and more than four rooms to
fat. but
Brooks strobe into the room. livid
with passion. goaded TO white heat
OF fury. reckless of everything, muir
der in his heart. and. hurting his hat
TO the floor. faced the company.
1T does seem SO. does it," he fairly
, Kissed. going over TO his employer.
I'm glad You think so. And why
hasn't she? VIII you tell me that
Speak. Will you tell me that? I'll tell
you why. you slave driver"
Mrs. Harris and Beth sat speeches:
and pale. but Smith rose.
STEADY. Joe. boy" he admonished.
! Emma had hurried to her husband
, and grasped his arm.
i "oh. Joe. don't" she irnplored. "Yo,
don't--
\ Ee fung her roughly from him.
! ..Let me alone!' he shouted and turn
:. cd 10 Williams again. quiyering will
rage. do you know why she hasnt:'
r he continued. well. Ill tell you all
: It's because this man amt on TIL
square. He began by cheating anC
numbering nicgers who worked 70
him aboard his rotten trading ships
Then. after he got through with tn,
Delaying pin. after he got bis money
he picked nh the salary list for club
and he's murdered ard wounded anC
manned with that. you see my Wifi
here? She's only one ~ hundreds. ant
she suffers. II " too hid she marriet
me. II Il too bad that she's got TO IL
her own work. II " too bad that she's
cct 10 wash and scrub and sweat II
the heat. but that mans 10 blame. II
you gave ne fair share Of what
produce. II rou didn't grind down. on
press ard pinch. she wouldn't have 70
I'VE worked FOR you i've years. hard
honest. and al the time you've beer
grinding no down. down. aud thou
sands Of others. thousands. You know
all Of you know-my mother-in.lav
and smart sister-in-law know-you'v,
piled up your money on the blood and
sweat aud misery Of others. Thati
the kind ~ a man sou are. and sol
might as well know II"
Captain Williams had listened to thi
denunciation at first in utter amaze
ment. Then his shaggy eyebrows ha'
knitted together. and his little eye
had narrowed to Sits. while the bloc'
had spread over his face in dee
| glow through the veins that swelle'
out like cords on his neck and throat.
There amt no one ever said ther
things TO me and got away with Il.
Q he thunderod. cllnching his fists an
gathering all his tremendous strengt
ID as he rose TO crush his accuser.
a