Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-06-23
CHAPTER ElGHT-continued.


"You men should know that every
strike increases the burdens of the
people. Every day your idleness lifts
the price of their necessities. Idle
ness is just another form of destruc-
ton. Why could you not have
listened to the counsel of Reason In
June instead of in September, and
thus have saved these long months
of hardship and bitter violence? 1t
was because the spirit of Tyranny
had entered your heart and put your
judgment in chains. 1t had blinded
you to honor also, for you men were
working under contract. If the union
Is to command the support Of honest
men, 1t must be honest. 1t was
Tyranny that turned the treaty with
Belgium into a scrap of paper. That
kind of a thing will not DO here. Let
me assure you that Tyranny has no
right to be in this land of ours. You
remind me of the PrOdigal Son who
had to know the taste of husks and
the companionship of swine before he
came to himself. Do you not know
that Tyranny is swine and the fodder
of swine? 1t Is simply human hog
gishness.
Il have one thing more to say and
l am finished. Mr.. Bing, some time
ago you threw up your religion with
out realizing the effect that such an
act would be likely to produce on this
community. You are, no doubt, aware
that many followed your example.
I've got no preaching to do. I'm just
going to quote you a few words from
an authority no less responsible than
George Washington himself. Our his
tory has made one fact very clear,
namely, that he was wise and far
seeing man."
Judge Crooker took from shelf,
John Marshall,s Life of Washing
ton" and read:
at is substantially true that virtue
or morality is a necessary spring of
popular government and let us, with
caution, indulge the suppOSition that
morality can be maintained without
religion.
LET it simply be asked where is
the security for property, for resuta-
ton, for lie, if a sense of religious
obligation desert the oaths which are
the instruments of investigation in
courts of justceT
Let me add, on my own account,
that the treatment you received from
your men will vary according to their
respect for morality and religion. '~'
"They could manage very well with
an irreligious master, for you are only
one. But an irreligous mob is a diff
ferent and highly serious matter, be-
lieve me. Away back in the seven
teenth century, John Dryden wrote
wise sentence. 1t was this:
"I have heard, indeed, of some very
virtuous persons who have ended un-
fortunately but never of a virtuous
nation; Providence is engaged too
deeply when the cause becomes gen.
eral.
eff virtue is the price of a ma
IIOn lllC, lCl uS IIS " hCcp Jul wv IL
nation virtuous.'
Mr. Bng and his men left the
judges Office in a thoughtful mood.
The next day, Judge Croker met the
mill owner. on the street.
Judge, accept your verdict" said
the latter. Il fear that | have been
rather careless. 1t didn't occur to
me that my example would be taken
so seriously. l have been a prodigal
and have resolved to return to my
fathers house."
"HO, servants!' said the judge, with
smile. Bring forth the best robe
and put it on him and put a ring on
his finger and shoes on his feet and
bring hithCr the fatted calf and kill
1t and let us eat and be merry"
"We shall have to postpone the
celebration said Mr.. Bing. 81 have
to go to New York tonight and
sail for England tomorrow. But ]
shall return before Christmas"
A little farther on Mr.. Bing met
Hiram BlenkinsOp. The latter had @
plank on his shoulder.
'Id like to have word with you.'
said the mill owner as he took hold
of the plank and helped Hiram to ease
1t down. II hear many good things
about you, Mr.. Blenkinsop. l fear
that we have all misjudged you. If
have ever said or done anything to
burt your feelings, l am sorry for it,
Hiram Blenkinsop looked with as
tonishment into the eyes Of the mil
liOnaire
IL guess l amt got you placed
right-nOt eggzac'ly," said he. "Somt
folks amt as good as they look an
some amt as bad as they look.
wouldn't wonder If we was mostly
purity much alike, come to shake W
down"
Lets be friends, anyhow" said Mr.
Bing. IF there's anything l can dC
for you, let me know"
That evening, as he sat by the stove
in his little room over the garage o.
Mr.. Singleton with his dog Christmas
lying beside him, Mr. Blenkinsop fel
asleep and awOke suddenly with {
wild yell of alarm.
"What'S the matter2" voice in