The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-08-07
Great Author Speaker In
terests Chautauqua
Audience
HAPPINESS APOSTLE
is DR.. c. E. BARKER
Famous Physician Declares
Material Things Cannot
, Bring Contentment

Opie Read, as was expected, has
proved to be the attraction of the chau-
tauqua so far. A record crowd APP
peared and was seated under the big
tent Saturday evening when the au-
thor-speaker delivered his lecture,
"Scarecrows" The Montague Sing
ers, giving II prelude of old and popular
songs, also were splendid
Opie Read delivered his address
with his usual good humor, induging
in serious moments during which he
impressed his audience with the traps
of the large cities and the internal"
organizations and institutions operated
in their hearts.
The "sweat-shop" was the object of
a great deal OF Mr. Reads unfavorabIe
comment. A visit TO one and the sur,
roundings of the proprietor and owner
were subjects which took up great
deal of Mr.. Reads time.
The lecturer delivered his talk from
the standpoint of one Of his vacations
during which he went to "the city
he did not designate which one-and
saw all the things, pleasant and un
pleasant
li, During the course of his vacation
trip, Mr.. Read was taken by friend
to n sweat.shop where women and
girls work their lives away behind
closed doors and drawn blinds, most
of them afflicted with consumption
from their unsanitary and unhealthful
surroundings.
e These girls and women do this,
not because they want to live, but to
die in decency," said the speaker, de-
ploring the working conditions. There
these women and girls make shirt
waists, which you women wear, for
three or four cents"
While he was at the sweatshop the
speaker said, the owner entered and
cast glance over the slaves TO the
great brute who stood there with II
lash to see that they lost not n stitch
lie was dressed in the best of clothes,
said the lecturer, and was well.groom.
ed.
Mr. Read went on to tell of more of
his experiences in the city" but after
all came back to the sweatshop, look
ing at II from different view but,
at the same time, the same thing an
unmitgated sin
He came across the owner of this
i,l. ,,l,. h. h.I l.,,t n
few moments before in his house of
slavery, at meeting where his asso-
ciates were lauding and praising him
= az being benevolent and kind, n phil
anthropist. Mr.. Read said he immed
lately attempted to bring the man from
his pedestal and show his admirers
what he was when he, MIR, Read was
ordered to go away from the place.
Shortly after reaching the street
Mr.. Read said he confronted police
man and told him of the incident which
had come to his notice, having acci.
dentally caught glimpse of the
sweatshop owner in his place of living
death before, but the policeman order
ed him TO go home TO the country
where he belonged, according to Mr.
Read.
Another thing which he said chilled
his blood was little child brought in.
TO police court for something, he knew
not what, but some minor otfonse, She
had a rose which she attempted to hide
behind her little ragged skirts. She
asserted that she did not steal It, but
merely picked II MP from the street
II having been thrown out of a passing
automobile
The sight OF this little child brought
back memories to Opie Read those Oi
his own little daughter who had died
when child
Would you like TO go to the farm
with me, little girl? You remind me
OF another who once frightened my
house." asked Mr.. Read of the little
girl. She flew into his arms and hid
her face on his shoulder. "She Is there
now picking roses, but not those which
have been thrown from passing car,
added the speaker.
This last incident was probably the
one which brought out the character
and spirit OF Opie Read more than any
other he related. The great, big, roy
al man covered by an exterior tina
may be rough to some shone through