The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-10
"oh, Joe, don't!" she implored. "You

don't'-
He flung her roughly from him.
LET me aloner he shouted and turn
ed to Williams again, quivering with
rage. do you know why she hasn't?"
he continued. "Well, I'll tell you all.
It's because this man amt on the
square. He began by cheating and
numbering niggers who worked for
him aboard his rotten trading ships.
Then, after he got through with the
Delaying pin, after he got his money,
he picked up the salary list for n club,
and he's murdered and wounded and
manned with that. You see my wife
here? She's only one of hundreds, and
she suffers. 1t is too bad she married
me. 1t Is too bad that she's got to do
her own work. 1t IS too bad that she's
got to wash and scrub and sweat in
the heat, but that mans to blame. If
you gave me 4 fair share of what l
produce, If you didn't grind down, op-
press and pinch, she wouldn't have to.
I've worked for you five years, hard,
honest, and all the time you've been
grinding me down, down, and thou
sands Of others, thousands. You know,
all Of you know-my mother-in-law
and smart sister-in-law know-you've
piled up your money on the blood and
sweat and misery Of others. That's
the kind of man you are, and you
might as well know it."
Captain Williams had listened to this
denunciation at first In utter amaze
ment Then his shaggy eyebrows had
knitted together, and his little eyes
had narrowed to slits, while the blood
had spread over his face in a deep
glow through the veins that swelled
out Hike cords on his neck and throat.
There amt no one ever said them
things to me and got away with it,"
he thundered, clinching his fists and
gathering oil his tremendous strength
as be rose to crush his accuser.
Mrs Harris and Beth sprang up IN
greet alarm, and at the captains ter
rifying voice and his ferocious as
pect Brooks shrank back. Smith stood
impasdve, but watching Williams, to-
ward whom he had been edging.
Emma had stepped quickly between
the captain and her husband.
"Piease - please, captain - for my
sake" she pleaded.
II don't care-let him come on"
cried Brooks doggedly, but his voice
lettering.
Williams gazed at the sweet, frail
woman standing imploringiy before
him, and as he gazed his muscles grad
ually relaxed, the wrath faded from
his eyes, and finally the corners Of his
mouth twitched in a faint smile.
"An right, Mrs. Brooks" he said
gently. II almost forgot where was.
I apologize"
Smith, his hands in his pockets,
moved away across the room.
"Joe, you know it's your home-our
home," expostulated his wife.
TI-forgot Excuse me-" he NUT
tered sulkily, looking ashamed.
Smith spoke up, his winning smile
lighting his face:
"You know, it's been an all fred hot
day-just the kind of weather when
about every mothers son is on edge.
, Now, Joe, he slipped cog, and that
sort of put the whole confounded ma
ehine out Of gear, including the cap
tain. But now, you see, it's Just all
forgotten"
Possibly. AS far as I'm concerned
I must be going" declared Mrs. Har-
ris eoldly.
Indeed, yes!" chirped Beth.
Brooks now, his rage having spent
itself and his bravado fizzled out, was
almost crying.
"I-I"- he began.
But the words choked in his throat
and, picking up his hat, he FASTENED
out Of the room and the fiat.
''Wili you please take us away. cap
tainT' requested Mrs. Harris.
? "Just moment" he said. Mrs
, Brooks, I'm almighty sorry abou
what happened just now"
I'D rather you wouldn't speak Of
It," she told him.
). Perhaps 1 have been little hard
ne said earnestly and apologetically
II want you all to understand tina