The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-07-01


food. fuel. clothes and comfortable
housing mot money. Some OF us went
money mad. With feeling OF or
ulence we refused to work at all, save
when we felt like II. We bought dia-
mond rings and sat by the fire looking
Mt them. The roofs began to leak and
our plumbing went wrong. People go
Ing TO buy meat found the shops
closed. Roofs that might have beef
saved BY timely repairs will have to
De largely replaced. Plumbing sys-
TENS have been ruined by neglect
With all It's money, the town was
never so wretched."
Mr.. Sneed, who was member of the
committee, slyly turned the ring on his
finger so that the diamond was CON
cealed. he cleared his throat and re
marked. ave mechanics had more
than we could do ON work already
contracted
Eyes, you worked eight hours a day
and refused TO work any longer. YoB
were legally within your rights, blu;
your position was ungrateful and even
heartless and immoral Suppose there
was a baby coming to your house and
you should call for the doctor and
he should say, I'm sorry, but have
done my eight hours work today and
II can't help YOU Then suppose you
should offer him double fee and he
should say. No, thanks, I'm tired. I've
%.x,- nd IaF Ix, ft.a han AL
and don't have to work when don't
want to-
"Or suppose were trying case Tor
you and, when my eight hours work
had expired. should want to walk
out OF the court and leave your case
to take care of itself. What do you
suppose would become Of lit 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 a 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 mere par
asite and not at heart an American.
Generally, l work fifteen hours day,
'"This little lad has been knitting
night and day for the soldiers without
ings for yarn. There isn't a doctor In
| Bingyille who isn't working eighteen
hours a day. | met minister this
afternoon who hasn't had ten hours
of sleep in week.-Mrs. been so busy
/ with the sick, and the dying and the
/ dead. He Is nurse, a friend, 0
/ comforter to any one who needs him
No charge for overtime. My Godi 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 overwork2 Do yor
dare to tell me that prosperity Is any
excuse for idleness In this land of ours
If ones help is neededf"
i Judge Crooker's voice had beer
calm. his manner dignifed. But th'
last sentences had been spoken witt
quiet sternness and with his long
bony forefnger pointing straight a
Mr.. Sneed. The other members of tn,
committee clapped their hands II
hearty approval. Mr.. Sneed smllet
and brushed his trousers.
Were all OFF sur balance little
but what is to be done now7"
1--WE must quit our plumbing ant
carpentering and lawyering and bank
ing and some of us must quit mer
chandising and sitting In the Gimme
corner and grab our saws and axe
and 60 out into the woods and max
some fuel and get 1t hauled into town,
said Judge Croker. ''Tll be one Of
party to so tomorrow with my axe
l haven't forgotten how to chop"
The committee thought this goo
suggestion. They all rose and starte
on search for volunteers, except MI
Sneed. He tarried, saying to the judg
that he wished to consult him on a pr
vate matter. 1t was, indeed, just ther
matter which could not have bee
: more public although, 40 far, the new
OF 1t had travelled In whispers. Th
/ Judge had learned the facts since hi
return.
81 hope your plumbing hasn't gou
|, wrong" he remarked with smile.
) "No. It's worse than that" said III
/ Sneed ruefully.
y They babe the little Shepherd Eoc
!. night and went downstairs where II
j widow was still at work with h,
washing, although II was nine o'cioe
d Faithful woman r the judge e
|. claimed as they went out on the stree
/ what would the world do withol
people like that2 No extra charge &
Il overtime, either"
a Then, as they walked along, he GU
ningiy paved the way for what
L knew was coming,
q "Dld you notice the face OF tn
3 boy2' he asked.
y eyes, IT'S a Gods blessing
II - a.