River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-01-30

will bring our happiness near Her
voice sank to the tenderest accents.
You know Mr. Bivens?
Yes" Stuart answered evenly. con-
trolling himself with an effort.
well, be has taken our second floor.
| had a long talk with him last week.
BY the merest accident | learned that
his big trust. the American Chemical
company. needs another lawyer. They
pay an enormous salary with all sorts
of chances to get rich. They are max
ing millions on millions. | told him
that you were the very man for the
place and that you were going TO be
the greatest lawyer in New York.
Imagine my joy when he not only
agreed with me. but said he would
double the salary if you would accept
It. He thought you wouldn't, merely
because you lived in the house of old
Woodman with whom the company
may have a fight. | told him it was
nonsense. that knew you would ac-
rept You'll accept. of courseY'
'Emphatically no"'
~ gu can De so aDSuFu!
Have you Deen receiving the atten-
tons of this distinguished young mil
ionaire. Nan"
i've been cuItivating him"
"Cutiyating?"
Eyes. for your sake only, you big,
handsome. foolish. jealous boy! You
can't be in earnest when you say that
you will refuse such an offer?'
"Yes, because | will not become the
hireling of a corporation, to say moth
ing of this particular one headed by
Mr. Rivens"
Nonsense. Jim. You wouldn't be
hireling. You would Jay the law down
for them to follow.
mo. A modern corporation has no
soul, and the man who serves this
master must sell both body and soul
for the wages he receives. am a
lawyer of the old school. My work
is ilumined by imagination. My bust
ness is to enforce justice in the rela-
tiOns of men,"
But some of the greatest lawyers in
America are corporation attorneys
"All the reason more why | should
keep clean. Lawyers once constituted
our aristocracy of brain and culture.
| can't prostitute my talents to work
| don't believe in. A mans work is
revelation of what he is. And what
he is will depend at last on what he
does"
But you mean to be rich and pow
erful Jim?''
IF it comes with the growth Of
manhood and character. yes. But
will not degrade myself with work
hate or take orders from men | de-
spise The world is already full of such
slaves"
Stuart paused and laid his hand
gently on the girls white. round arm,
and she turned. with start.
II didn't hear your last sentence.
jim"
''Of what were you thinking:"
"Of what a woman is always think
ing consciously or unconsciously, Of
my home whether it shall be howell
or palace.
1T all depends on whether love Is
the builder
1T all depends on the man | mar
ry," was the laughing answer. 1--we
always dreamed of you as man of
wealth and power Your splendid tai
ents mean this. When you came to
New York | was more sure of you
than ever. You've simply got to make
money. Jim. Nothing else counts in
the world today. | hate pOverty-I
fear til loathe it"
And yet" the lover said, drawing
closer, Il hold the touch of your little
finger of greater value than ali the
gold on the earth or beneath it,
Don't interrupt me. please. with ir-
relevant remarks" Nan cried laughing
in spite of herself seriously. jim
you must listen to me- I'm in dead
earnest You must have money. if for
no other reason because l wish it.
can't be happy in poverty. The man
love must be rich. oh. Jim. you
shall be. Wealth is the only road now
from the vulgar crowd-the only way
TO climb on top"
But suppose | don't wish to climb
on the top of people?'
You can't be such a foOlr'
But suppose | am? True civiliza-
ton has always placed manhood above
money"
Jim. are you craZy?"
Its true. dear. My father gave up
his law practice to bend over my
mothers bedside for six months. He
was giant in mind and body she
poor little, broken, withered invalid.
He lost money and clients and never
regained them. Did il pay? Does any
thing that's born of love pay? Surely
not children. | was always a dead ex-
pense The biggest fee | ever received
as lawyer in New York was a shout
of JOY from a poor woman whose boy
| freed from a false charge of crime.
She fell sobbing before me and actu-
ally kissed my feet"
"Oh. Jim. why can't you be practi-
cal? Why are you not willing to fight
for q fortune-aS other mem
Because, dear" he answered quick
~ and tenderly, I'VE haven't time
you and /. Life is TOO short. Love is
too sweet The fields are too green.
rhe birds sing too sweetly. Hare you
forgotten our old day dreams in the
fields at homer"
I've forgotten everything" she an
swered bitterly, except that you are
failing me when put to the first test.
nd u-o,.ld IDa c,1ob a Iiffln fhipor FOR.