Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-27

those who had been cool TO MIN ana
even those who had cut him after be
had admitted that he had worked in q
factory. Even Miss Price was invited.
The next question was. What were
we going to do about Il? We fellows
discussed the matter at the club. but
men are not so particular about their
social acceptances as women, and we
got no further than statement from
each man either that be would go to
the supper or he would do as he pleas
ed about it. / understood that there
was a good deal more discussion among
the girls. some of whom-Miss Price
being the prime mover-thought that
they owed il to their social position to
decline in a body. But they were over
ruled by those who did not relish the
idea of giving up the supper. A third
lot were independent enough to assert
that they would accept even If all the
others declined
When the evening for the supper
arrived-1O o'clock was the hour fixed
1T was found that every one invit-
ed was present. Nebbins met us In
the anteroom. What was our surprise
and CONSERVATION. in some cases, to be
received in overalls. Being all in full
dress themselves. some considered this
apparel an outrage. Fully one-third
turned away and left the place. The
rest chatted with one another till the
door of the supper room was throw
open and we entered. Watts stood
! about ready to serve the viands, and
when all were seated. at a signal from
| the host. the covers were removed.
! There on each plate was a surprising
feast indeed.
Each guest was served with crackers
and cheese
Nebbins began to MUNICH his portion.
while some of his guests followed his
example, few good naturally accept
ing the situation. others grudgingly,
while others, one by one. left the table.
very red in the face. here and there
muttering maledictions on the head of
such a supper. One of the guests as
he passed out glared and said:
you may intend this as a joke. 1t
is an insult. But what is to be expect
ed from one who attempted to rise
above his station and seeks admission
to the society of his betters"
| Nebbins rose, lifted a glass and bow
ed imperturbably to his retiring guest,
drinking his health in cold water.
The departure OF this person left
| half a dozen men and as many girls,
all Of whom sat good naturally MUNICH
ing crackers and cheese. When it be-
came apparent to the host that those
who remained were not disposed to
| upbraid him he stood up, unbuttoned
his overalls, threw them off and stood
before them in evening dress.
"Come," he said.
A waiter opened a door, and Neb-
bins led the way into an adjoining
room, where stood table with a place
for each one of those remaining at the
supper party. Seating themselves at
! the table, a real supper was served. 1t
seemed that their host had ransacked
the uttermost parts of the earth to find
delicacies. AS to wines, few Of those
| present had ever drunk wines of such
delicious favor. The host, too, was in
keeping with the feast he offered. Ger
tain mannerisms that he had evidently
up to this time assumed were dropped,
and he appeared plain gentleman.
"A1y guests" he said. you who re-
main 1 count my friends, and so far
as am concerned you will always re-
main such. Those who have retired
are to me part of the great world in
| which 1 exist. You. on the contrary.
are inexpressibly near to me. / owe
| you an explanation and will not ask
| you to wait for it longer.
First of all, l am q workingman;
secondly. I am a capitalist. My father
and mother were both of the labor
class, and / have followed in their
| footsteps. But I am more fortunate
than most laborers in this-my father
and mother worked hard and saved
to give me a better education than
usually falls TO those Of my class. All
that am is due to them. God bless
them! / worked and studied at the
same time. Providence bestowed upon
me a gift. l began by inventing ma
chimes to save labor and ended by In
venting them to give me wealth that
I might help my fellow men. l have
succeeded beyond my highest hopes.
81 believe that in America labor is re-
spectacle, that there is no prejudice
against it as labor and that any la
borer who becomes refined can find
place among the best people Of the
land if he wishes 10 do so. To crafty
within I came here among you.
have found that a place among the
best has been open to me. You are the
best. For your interiors care not"
During these remarks we all looked
at one another. each remembering
some occasion wherein we had not
been as blameless as our host had as
sumed. 1 confess. remembering GER
tain times when Nebbins appeared at
his worst / had wished might not be
seen with him, blushed for my want
of independence. Nevertheless we all
felt very happy at having stood the
test and doubtless rejoiced that we
would be able to crow over those who
had not.
Naturally we all looked to the girl
who had been foremost in standing by