Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-05-19

! We ceased to produce the necesSaries
| of life in a sufficient quantity. We
| forgot that all-important things are
housing-not money. Some of us went
money mad. With a feeling of op-
ulence we refused to work at all, save
when we felt like it. We bought dia-
mond rings and sat by the fire looking
at them. The roofs began to leak and
our plumbing went wrong. People 60
| ing to buy meat found the shops
closed. Roofs that might have been
saved by timely repairs will have to
be largely replaced. Plumbing sys-
tens have been ruined by neglect.
With all its money, the town was
never so wretched"
Mr.. Sneed, who was a member of the
committee, syly turned the ring on his
finger so that the diamond was con-
cealed. He cleared his throat and re-
marked, eve mechanics had more
than we could do on work already
contracted"
ana refused to work any longer. You
were legally within your rights, but
your position was ungrateful and even
heartless and immoral. Suppose there
was baby coming to your house and
you should call for the doctor and
he should say, I'm sorry, but l have
done my eight hours work today and
/ can't help you Then suppose you
should offer him double fee and he
should say, No, thanks, Pm tired. I've
got forty thousand dollars in the bank
and don't have to work when I don't
want to-
"Or suppose 1 were trying case for
you and, when my eight hours work
had expired, l should want to walk
out of the court and leave your case
to take care of itself. What do you
suppose would become of it? Yet that
is exactly what you did to my pipes.
You left them to take care of them
selves. You men, who use your hands,
make great mistake in thinking that
you are the workers of the country
and that the rest of us are your natu-
raj enemies. In America, we are all
workers The idle man is a mere par
asite and not at heart an American.
Generally, l work fifteen hours a day.
This little lad has been knitting
night and day for the soldiers without
hope of reward and has spent his saw.
iDpS for worn FTbaro isn't 6ontoI. in
Bingville who isn't working eighteen
hours a day. l met a minister this
afternoon who hasn't had ten hours
of sleep in a week.-Mrs. been so busy
with the sick, and the dying and the
dead. He is nurse, q friend
comforter to any one who needs him.
No charge for overtime. My God Are
we all going money mad? Are you any
better than he is, or / am, or than the
doctors are who have been killing
themselves with Overwork? Do you
dare to tell me that prosperity is any
excuse for idleness in this land of ours,
if ones help is needed?"
Judge Crooker's voice had been
calm, his manner dignified. But the
last sentences had been spoken with
quiet sternness and with his long,
bony foretinger pointing straight at
Mr.. Sneed. The other members of the
committee clapped their hands in
hearty approval. Mr.. Sneed smiled
and brushed his trousers.
"Were all off our balance little,
but what is to be done now?"
1--WE must quit our plumbing and
carpentering and lawyering and bank
ing and some of us must quit mer-
chandiSing and sitting in the chimney
corner and grab our saws and axes.
and go out into the woods and make
some fuel and get it hauled into town."
said Judge Croker. "Tll be one of a
party to go tomorrow with my axe.
l haven't forgotten how to chop"
The committee thought this a good
suggestion. They all rose and started
on a search for volunteers, except Mr..
Sneed. He tarried, saying to the judge
that he wished to consult him on a pri-
vate matter. 1t was, indeed, just then,
a matter which could not have been
more public although, so far, the news
of it had travelled in whispers. The
judge had learned the facts since his
return.
ii hope your plumbing hasn't gone
wrong" he remarked with a smile.
mo, it's worse than that" said Mr..
Sneed ruefully.
They babe the little Shepherd good
night and went downstairs where the
widow was still at work with her
washing, although it was nine o'clock.
Faithful womanw the judge ex-
claimed as they went out on the street.
what would the world do without
people like that? No extra charge for
| overtime, either"
Then, as they walked along he cum
ningly paved the way for what he
| knew was coming.
did you notice the face of that
boy?' he asked.
Eyes, it's a Gods blessing to
see face like that" the judge went
on. only the pure in heart can have
IT. The old Snirit of vouth looks ont