The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-01-30

A T the time that George Hopkins discarded
r IA his runabout in favor Of touring-car and
AtA had new roof put on his house, he also
laid in ready-made library. Previous to
the installation of this collection of splendid
bindings and uncut edges he had been permitted by
urbane book agents who wore silk hats and gloves
the street to invest money in limited editions His
wife liked to open these subscription books and look
at the numbers.
Hopkins had vague idea that the lower your num-
Der was the more secure was your standing as a
booklover, but he was not sure.
And in spite Of the nine hundred dollars worth of
the best literature of all ages which he had placed in
his library it took great deal Of argument to make
him sure that when the Literary and Culture Club
1zation were not having fun with him.
Il know all about daybooks and ledsers," he said
land little about handbooks but I'll make afa-
davit that don't know enough about the old
h ters living Dead to qualify me literary per.
SON." - ->~....
= But having been elected, he did the handsome
Of the Literary Culture Club and those husbands
who were sufficiently tanned to come with them to
his house. He hired the best caterer in town. He
bought case of champagne. He took the newspapers
of the library-table where they hid fine copy of
{ Somebody's Visits" to the Homes of Some Other
Persons, and he stood by, hot and uncomfortable for
!, three solid hours while the members took down his
sbookst and raved them.
And he sent the treasurer check for his dues in
advance and gave her the names OF couple Of chaps
in the hardware business that really needed elevating
along ethical and literary lines 80;
Also he secured important business engagements at
the time Of the next club meeting and arrived at the
house where the club was in session just as the men,
bers were putting their hats and telling one
other what lovely time they had en3eyed-
' But they caught George Hopkins at the next meet
Ing He was not present. His wife made his OK
cuses. She said that he had run in to New York to
look at some new inportations Of books.
He was in New York, it was true, but he was pur-
suing arduous of study at the theatres
rather than the libraries or the auctionrooms.
The morning he got back his wife met him at the
door Of his library. +
"Yeu can't guess, George, what has happened while
you have been away?" she said gayly.
! Tho cashier has away or the typewriter has
been married or the car is out of order" said the
practical Hopkins y
i -"1eu" said his wife, fixing upon him look of
great PRIDE you have been chosen as our next lee
lturer."
"1ll play the pianola for you" said Mr.. Hopkins,
never did such thing in my life. At my age it's
too late to begin Who started this nominating con-
vsntion for me. anyway"
"Mr. Pillsbury suggested it," his wife told him,
fsotly hne. He said that he knew you could tell the
members many things they do not Know"
''rhose two hardware brigands." auttered Mr. Hop
;hns rs he stamped to the door.
| And remember George Mrs. Hopkins called to
him. 1.-THE meeting is on Monday evening"
"They have it at six o'clock Monday morning
Il they like" answered Mr.. Hopkins. I'm going to
send in my resignation get to the store
when fed that club Of yoursI did not know that 1t
was gsang to punish BY insisting upon making
fool Of myself"
On his way downtown he thought seriously upon
the futity of trying to clamp culture upon gentle
mon in the hardware line He had to admit that they