Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-04
THE BLUEBOTrLE DIVIDENDS

I went back to r5oston atone-the same
crowd, the same uusavory odors, the
same far too intimate contact with the
poorly groomed. My blood boiled Old!
| was an old woman! But why expect
anything but rudeness from n man who
would rudely overtuTn world?
The following evening took to the
opera two old friends who have not been
so fortunate in attaining this world $
goods as I have. The opera offered was
ono that affords great instruction. If lit
tic entertainment It Is of such pieces
that I approve most heartily.
II was between the acts that Priscilla
Knowles came to my box. I have never
liked her. Her husband is a heavy stocks
holder In our mills. and Priscilla loves
to heap upon her person the fruits OF
her ancestors thrift. She entered In a.
blaze of Jewels and white shoulders.
Il have heard OF Mlnerva's eccen-
tricty" she said. THE child must be
quite insane. Really, I am finding all
thus agitation most annoying"
Now. II is not the place of a Knowles
TO criticise a Bluebottle, and felt like
telling her so.
Henry says we must go slow-every-
thing is so unsettled" she pouted. II
have had to give up the idea OF new
limousine and get along with the old
tdibs RTO ut WOuluH IUS plan lUL
Palm Beach at ALL until I promised TO
get an impossibly cheap suite at the
hotel I think it's all very wrong. or
course, you and Roger won't listen TO
Minerva In her madness"
I looked at her. Diamonds and pearls
and a gown that must have cost thou
sand easily-and at Saxton IS n week.
| Yes, looked at her weak pretty. sense
! less face. and heard her prattle on. And
! suddenly I was climbing grimy stairs In
Saxton. and bending over Sadie Solatki's
ludicrous geranium.
whether we listen to Minerva or not"
| | said, ~ feel that there is some Justice
! In her stand"
Priscilla gave n little gasp and huttered
away. I left my two old friends in the
| box. and went out into the street. Parker
was nowhere In sight. and I was forced
| to walk to Rogers house. for ! had no
! money with me for carfare-and II Is an
open question whether I should have
| chosen 30 to travel II had.
Roger and Prudence sat slum In the
! library. / soon learned the cause of
their guinness. Minerva had secured n
position In an office, paying s. week.
! SHE was TO begin work in the morning.
what will my friends say?" moaned
Prudence.
That was not at all important, and I
came at once to the point. told Roger
| that 7 for one wanted to surrender 10
| the child. / explained the matter OF
minimum wage boards-learned from Mr..
Sabotsky-and said that IL VIC did not
raise wages now it seemed we should
be forced to later on.
Roger ragged and beloved and stamped
tile floor. "Do you realize the cut IN
our incomcs?" he cried. Then he be-
| moancd the fact that even his own FAM
| ily had turned against him. And then
| all at once he crumpled and gave in.
felt rather sorry for him. Eie looked sc
| dazed and broken and uncOmprehendine
when me told me l might phone foi
| Minerva.
| She came. radiant. triumphant, and
kissed her dutiful family all round !
persuaded her to change her gown and
go with no back to the opera. We or
dered the limousine,
"I,ide In 1t while you can," said Roger
bitterly.
on the way to the opera house Minerva
asked me what had turned the scale. L
! seemed she had heard OF my visit to Sax
ton told her Of Priscilla Knowles. =,
"Mr. Sabotky says" she replied, "tha
some people are made Socialists by th'
sight OF the suffering OF the poor. bu
that others who are quite callous to that
are converted by the arrogance of tn,
rich You're one of the latter. Aun
Lucinda"
Child" I cried really Mortified. I"
trust your poor old aunt is a long way!
from being a-a-what YOU called her.
Minerva kissed me and laughed there
In the darkness OF the car.
"I was only joking, Aunt dear" sh,
said.
We saw the last act of the opera. Al
least, Minerva and my friends did. MS
| own eyes kept wandering to where PrIs
ella Knowles jewels sparkled In tn,
| Ittalr sNfu M rh,.h hnv Z t,
she would sav when she heard that tht
Saxtor dividends were to be cut
| l had always wanted to rebuke osten
tation. 1t Is worse than wlcked-t',
vulgar.
THE END.