The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-06-01
KINGS CONVERSION

There was always a. half-cynical
smile on his lips. The upper part Of
his face never seemed to laugh. The
wrinkles were up and down instead
of across his face. His chief asset
was his tongue. He could talk. But
most Of the things that he said
might better have been unspoken.
He did not hesitate to sacrifice his
friends in his bitterness. He could
say enough cutting things in a day to
make a dozen men feel all ripped-up
for a week.
Naturally, therefore, he had few
friends. No man felt like getting
very close to him in confidence. There
was nothing sacred to him. Religion,
home, women. 1norality-an suffered
at his hands.
We wondered what he did with
himself when he was away from the
shop. There seemed to be for him
no deep interest in anything. He was
a literal anarchist unsocial, a
law unto himself. OF course, he did
not throw bombs. He apparently
did not take enough interest in life
to become greatly excited about any
thing. But during the days of a GER
tain week there came a new express
sion into his face. Gradually the
story of the change became known.
For years there had been in his
home a little invaNd-a 7-year-old
daughter. He had been caring for
her most tenderly, carrying her
about, and nursing her better than
could have been done by a. trained
servant.
Just across the hall In the tenement
In which he lived, there was another
family in which there was a daughter
Of the same age as his own, but
strong, hearty and we'll. Her laugh
ter and singing cut him deeply, be-
cause his child never laughed and
sang that way. Her romping on the
streets and in the back yard simply
goaded him into a state of frenzy.
Why could not his little girl do these
things? These thoughts had made
him bitter, cynical and almost cruel
to others. while he devoted himself
moro fully than ever to his helpless
sick one.
But one day the cause of his I'M
happiness became very i'll. He could
hear moaning in the night, as she suf-
fered the tortures of q malignant dis
ease. He could not sleep. For near
ly a week this was continued. In
desperation he finally knocked at the
door of his neighbor and found the
father Of the sick child almost sink
ing with fatigue, yet trying to min
lister to the constant needs Of the in
valid. The mother had been worn
out and had fallen down, exhausted,
during the day.
In the most embarrassed way he
offered his services as nurse. He
had never before spoken to the faith
or. Almost joyfully he began his
duties The years Of training that
had been his in caring for his own
child now served him to good advan-
tage. He seemed to know just what
to do. Soon the sick one fell asleep.
but he watched till daylight. For three
nights he performed this service. get
ting just a few hours sleep
Towards the dawning Of the last
morning, the child passed away, in
his own arms. As he tenderly laid
the body down, upon the bed, there
seemed to 90 with the departed spirit,
all the bitterness in his own soul.
The rasp had already left his voice
Tho hardened look upon his face had
gradually been softened. His eyes
had lost their unnatural GOODNESS.
And these things the boys had no
ticed. He was no longer bitter in
his speech. The spirit: 81 helpfulness
had taken possession Of him. He
seemed to make every other mans
burden his own. BY bitter expert
ence he had Learned more about
others trials. he became = comforter
instead Of cynio. a.
It was this evolution In Kings life
which affected not only himself. but
nearly every other fellow IN the shop.
More No of the spirit of 4 rotherliness
prevailed, Deeper became the sense
ct resp onsatdlity ono towardst he other,
IL needed the sae1ifice OF q lie. but
out of that sacIi ice sprsngI, I'D
5a. n g spirit 1iala foaixd sxpression
lA l0xpy