The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-03-31

Susan CrowUipr = "a n summons by
Martha Fentherstrrw with the apple
ple. She would he glad TO see Mrs. J.
Patterson Blng IN the kitchen imme-
dIately after dinner There was mo-
mcnt Of silence In the midst Of which
Mr.. bling winked knowingly nt his
wife, who turned pale as she put down
her pie fork with look Of determine
ton and rose and went into the kltch-
en-. Mrs. Crowder regretted that she
and Martha would have TO look for
another family unless their wages
were raised from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty dollars month.
But, Susan. we all made an agree
ment for year" said Mrs. Bing.
Mrs. Crowder was sorry, hut she
and Martha could not make out on the
wages they were getting
cost so much. n Mary Gilllgnn, who
couldn't cook was worth hundred
dollars month Mrs Crowder consld-
cred herself cheap Mt twice that figure.
Mrs Blng. In her anger, was In
clined to revolt, but Mr.. Blng settled
the matter by submitting to the tyr
amy Of Susan. With Phyllis and
three of her young friends coming
from school and party In prospect.
there was nothing else to do.
Maggie Collins. who was too old
and too firmly rooted In the village to
leave II, was satisfied with raise
Of ten dollars a month. Even then she
received u third of the minister's sal
ary. Ellis wife being a swell Teddy
who had no time for wurruk, sure the
hoy was no sooner married than he
yelled for help" as Maggie was wont
20 say
All this had decided effect on the
economic life OF the village. Indeed,
Hiram Blenkinsop the village drunk
ard. who attended to the lawns and
gardens for a number Of people, de-
manded an increase OF n dollar day
in his wages on account of the high
cost Of living. although one would say
that its effect upon him could not have
been serious. For years the historic
figure OF Blenklnsop had been the des-
tinatlon and repository Of the CASTOR
clothing and the worn and shapeless
shoes OF the leading citizens. For
decade, the venerable derby hat, which
once belonged to Judge CroOker, had
survived all the incidents OF his ad-
yenturous career. He was, Indeed, as
replete with suggestive memories as
the graveyard to which he was wont to
repair for rest and recuperation In
summer weather. There, In the shade
/ OF locust tree hard by the wall, he
was often discovered with his faithful
dog Christmas yellow, mongrel,
good-natured cur-lying beside him,
| and the historic derby hat in his hand.
lie had persevering pride In that
hat. Mr.. Blenkinsop showed a sur
prisinv and commendable industry I'M
der the stimulation Of increased pay.
lie worked hard for a month, then
celebrated his prosperity with night
OF such noisy. riotous Joy that he
landed in the lookup with black eye
and broken nose and an empty peck
ct. Az usual. the dog Christmas went
with him.
When there was loud yell In the
streets at night Judge Croker used
10 say, tits Hiram again. The poor
fellow is out a-Hiraming."
William Snodgrass. the carpenter,
gave much thought and reflection to
the good fortune Of the Gllligan girls'
n a hired girl could earn twenty-five
dollars n week and her board, skilled
mechanic, who had to board him
self. ought - earn at least fifty. So
he put up his prices. Israel Sneed.
the plumber, raised his scale TO corre-
spond with that Of the carpenter. The
prices Of the butcher and grocer kept
pace with the rise of wages. A period
Of unexampled prosperity set In.
Some time before. the Old Spirit OF
Bingville had received notice that Its
services would no longer be required
II had been an industrious and faith
full Old Spirit The new generation did
not intend to be hard on II. They
were willing to give II a comfortable
home as long rs II lived. Its home
was TO be called The Past. There II
was to have nothing to do but to sit
around and weep and talk Of bygone
days. The Old Spirit rebelled. II re-
fused TO abandon its appointed tasks.
The notice had been given soon ar
ter the new thcater was opened In the
Sneed block, and the endless flood OF
moving lights and shadows began TO
fall on It's screen. The low-born. pur-
blind intellects Of Bohemian New
York began to pour their lewd fanSies
into this great stream that flowed
through every city, town and village
In the land. They had no more com
junction in the matter than a rattle
snake when II swallows a rabbit. Tc
them, there were only two great, bare
facts In life-male and female. The
males. in their vulgar parlance, were
either wise guys" or "suckersV The
females were all my dears.
Much of this mental sewage smellec
to heaven. But II paid. II was cheaI
and entertaining II relieved the 10