The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-04-01
THE SORROW
THAT MENACED
DIAMONDVILLE

mondville was In session.
Diamondville was peculiar in one re-
spect--it was composed exclusively
either of millionaires or Of those who
We're independently we'll off.
Suddenly there was a sensation. The
door opened and man came in His
name was Jeplet and he was the only
poor man in town,
There was an awkward pause The
mayor twtched nervously in his seat.
| The town clerk-who owned three
ailroads-looked anxiously toward
the newcomer. Everybody was I'M
| easy.
We'll, Mr.. Jeplet," said the mayor,
what can We do for you? hope that
you had a pleasant Christmas. | UNI
derstand that your children Jared pref
ty well?"
| Jeplet himself was plainly uneasy
| Yes" he said, thank you. All went
we'll Nevertheless, l am determined
to leave you"
Every face in the room blanched.
| Magnate Smith, one of the leading
| men of the place, and noted through
out the nation for his philanthropy.
sprang to his feet.
Can it be possible, Jeplet," he ex
| claimed, that you are going to treat
us with such ingratitude?
Sorry, sir, but"
Magnate Smith fixed him with his
eve.
Let us understand each other Jep-
let" he said. LAS you know, you are
the only poor family in our pleasant
and attractive little borough. For
years you have gone on having chill
dren with absolutely no means of sup
porting them. You have been depend
ent upon the charity of Others and you
have been practically the only means
by which we could display our own
charitable tendencies.
Our ladies have come to rely upon
you. Jeplet, to vent their higher i'm
pulses. When things We're dull in the
Woman's club. and the Old Masters
had been disposed of temporarily. or
the suffrage question lulled to sleep,
they have filled in the time by making
a personal visit to Mrs. Jeplet and
getting up subscriptions of old clothes
for your children. What would we
Nave done without you at Christmas,
Jeplet? Why, for some years now as
I gathered my boy around me, | have
been enabled to say to him:
Just think, Robert, of the poor lit
tie Jeplet children Who SILVER in their
miserable hovel, while YOU are sur
rounded with luxury But how can |
say that now, Jeplet if you are going
away? You mustn't leave us in the
lurch like this
He sat down amid subdued applause.
The mayor spoke.
Citizens" he said, I'VE are indeed
confronted by a crisis in our affairs
How can we go on enjoying ourselves
without some poor family to cater to?
And who can take the place of the
Jeplets? They We're so absolutely
worthless and offered so many Outlets
for our activities that their loss will
be irreparable. Why, as | hook at Jep-
let now my heart swells to think that
he is wearing my clothes. Jeplet, you
mustn't go, We cannot do without |
you,'
Jeplet shifted uneasily.
I'm awful sorry, your honor" he
said, but | don't see no way out OF
it."
Is there anything that you need?'
asked the mayor, anything that any
of us may have forgotten? Haven't all |
of our children visited you regularly? |
Just mention anything that you may
want and am sure"
confused murmur of abject will
ingness on the part of every one was
now heard.
Jeplet, under this pressure, was
plainly uncomfortable. He looked |
around, and as he saw the anxious
faces tears filled his eyes.
Well" he said at last, Il suppose if |
you feel that way | shall have to stay,
but would you mind letting me off for |
the summer"
Certainly not" said the mayor.
May we inquire where you are go
ng?" n ,y6
Jeplet smiled family.
You see," he answered, you have
been SO good to me all these years |
that | am pretty well off myself, and |
| thought il you didn't mind I'd like to |
get a little vacation and take my fam
ily to Europe"