2BB SUNDAY OBEGONIA PORTLAND, PBBRtJARY 21, -190
LOWEST WAGE SHOULD BE.-$6
EAR
SO SAYS JOHN MITCHELL, PRESIDENT OF HE
UNITED MINEWORKERS, IN AN INTERVIEW
00 A y
rASHTN'GTOX, D. C, Feb. 15. Spe-
clal Correspondence of Tho Sunday
Oregonlan.) I met John Mitchell,
the president of the United Mlneworkers,
by appointment In his rooms at the Ebbitt
House. I say by appointment, for Mr.
Mitchell Is one of the busy men of the
United States. He Is the head of the larg
est labor union In the -world. The Asso
ciation of United Mlneworkers has more
than SOO.000 members, and it keeps a mil
lion dollars in Its treasury to fight its bat
tles -with capital. Mr. Mitchell Is also one
of tho chief officers of the American Fed
eration of Labor, which has more than
2,000,000 members, and as such ho has to
do -with Congress and -with all sorts of
labor disputes. Ho Is on the road about
as much as the average commercial trav
eler. He comes to "Washington once a
month, and tho remainder of his time is
epent In Indianapolis or in traveling from
place to place settling labor troubles.
Now he Is In New York counseling with
the building men, now at Cripple Creek
advocating- the rights of the gold and sil
ver miners, and now on the advisory
fooafd of a great strike like that of the
anthracite miners of Pennsylvania.
Labor's Young Leader.
It takes a strong man and a cool man. to
manage a business like this a man with a
good physique, Iron nerves and a temper
well in hand. These are among tho char
acteristics of Mitchell. His cheeks shine
with health and his muscles are Iron. He
has a clear brown eye which laughs or
grows serious as he talks, and a Jaw
which shows determination. He is a
young man. We call President Roosevelt
young. John Mitchell Is ten years young
er. He is only 34, and with his splendid
physique Is a good type of tho best of the
workingmen he represents.
As we chatted together he gave me a
-word or so about his early life. He is the
con of a miner, and at 13 went into the
mines and worked there until he was 26.
That was only eight years ago, bo that
only two Presidential terms havo elapsed
since tho John Mitchell of today was' ac
tually handling coal.
Mitchell, the Miner.
I asked him what he did In the mines.
Ho replied:
"Everything. I began my work In a
coal mino at the age of 13. I started at
the bottom at 76 cents a day. Then I be
came a driver at $1-10 a day, and from
that I went on through the various grada
tions of mining work until I think I can
truly say I have done about everything
connected with mining."
"When did you first Join a trades
union?"
"When I was IS." was the reply. "And
I have been connected with organized
labor from that time until now."
"But how about your education, Mr.
Mitchell?"
"That came from a short course In the
public schools, for I began work very
early In my life. All that I got afterward
camo from night study and reading."
"When did you 'become- president of the
United Mlneworkers?"
"In 1S&S, and I havo beon Its president
ever since."
Trusts and the Worklngman.
The conversation turned to the influence
of trusts upon tho labor unions, and I
asked Mr. Mitchell whether tho great
syndicates had strengthened organized la
bor. He replied:
"I think they have. Thoy have shown
the men the necessity for organization.
The unions havo grown rapidly since the
beginning of the great trust era, and they
are growing rapidly today."
"Do you think they will some time reach
all branches of labor?"
"I havo no doubt of it," replied Mr.
Mitchell.
"How about tho store clerks?"
"The retail clerks are already well or
ganized." was the reply. "They have
unions In nearly all of the cities, and their
membership numbers about 50,000."
"What do you propose to do Increase I
their wages?" I asked.
"No," replied Mr. Mitchell. "At present
tho clorks are working for a better ar
rangement of time. Thoy want shorter
hours, and fixed ones for opening and
closing. The union Includes women clerks
as well as tho men."
The American Woman as a Union
Man.
"How about tho womon and organized
labor, Mr. Mitchell? Do many of them
belong to the trades unions?"
"Yes," replied tho president of the mine
workers. "Most of our unions admit Wo
men as members. Many women belong to
them, and we hope to havo more. I
think tho men should Induce them to come
in. There are also unions composed en
tirely of womon. In England about one
twentieth of the members of the trades
unions aro women."
"What kind of union man does a
woman make?"
"Sho makes a very good one," eaidvMr.
Mitchell. "She will ondure more and suf
fer moro for what sho believes to bo right
than the man."
"What class of men belongs to tho
unions?"
"Tho very best workmen in tho United
States," was tho reply, "and men of all
classes. In tho United Mlneworkers we
admit men of all nationalities and races.
Wo have men of 130 different nations and
30 different languages. Wo have colored
men as well as whites, and every class of
mining labor at from the boy who picks
elate to the best of the skilled workmen."
"Which element controls In such unions
the foreign or the American?"
"Tho American element always con
trols." said Mr. Mitchell. "It Is the most
intelligent element, and intelligence rules."
How to Have Industrial Peace.
"What do you think of the employers
forming associations to deal with organ
ized labor?"
"I think it Is only through the concerted
notion of such associations and of tho la
bor -unions that we can have industrial
peace," said John MltchelL "Let tho
employers' representatives meet with tho
representatives of labor and discuss
their differences, and it each is willing to
do tho fair thing there will bo few labor
troubles. Such associations do great
good."
"Yes, Mr. MltchelL but do they not com
blno ogainst the interests of tho public, I
moan the consumers?"
"No." was the reply. "Tho public will
sot permit itself to bo fleeced, and any
Improper combination or agreement
would bo at onco exposed.
"How about the coal dealers and coal
teamsters of Chicago?"
"There is a proof of what I havo Just
Said. Tho coal dealers and coal teamsters
had an unxlghteous combination against
tho public. They combined to overcharge
them. How long did their success last?
Only a few days. When it was exposed
the combination was broken, and it will
be so with any combination that may be
formed. Besides there is competition.
You can't havo big profits without It. I
don't caro how large your capital is. It
Is tho same with wages. If you put them
up hero In Washington, the Baltimore
workmen will rush In and competition
will bring them down.
Six Hundred Dollars a Year.
"Speaking of wages, Mr. MltchelL what
should be the lowest pay for an ordinary
worklngman?"
"Every man should havo enough to
keep his family, educate his children and
lay a little aside for the future. Six hun
nc4 dollars a year is -the least that
should be paid the unskilled common laborer.-As
the class of labor rises the
man- should receive more, and the pay
should vary according to his location.
The ordinary man should have more than
$600 in New York or Chicago. Every
man should have enough to supply the
necessities of lief, and in the latter cities
tho necessities cost more."
What Every Worklngman Needs.
"What would you call the necessities of
the ordinary worklngman, Mr. Mitchell?'
I asked.
"I think every man should havo a house
john jurrcTTKr.T-
with at least six rooms," 'was the reply.
Ho should have a bathroom, a parlor,
dining-room, kitchen and enough bed
rooms for decency and comfort He
should have carpets, pictures, books and
sufficient furniture to make his home
bright and comfortable. He should have
good food and should keep his children
in school until they are 16, and at the
same time should be able to lay away
something for old ago and sickness. The
unskilled workman might have these
things for $600 a year in cities of from
8000 to 100,000 inhabitants, but in larger
places he needs more. This Is only for
tho common laborer. As the skill of the
man raises, his wages increase and his
necessities grow."
"How about the elgnt-nour day, Mr.
Mitchell? Can the United States bo run
that way?"
"Yes," was the reply. "Wo should do
AM CHARY nowadays of offering
counsel in connection with subjects
concerning which I am not and can
not be an authority. Long ago I once
took upon myself to write a paper about
babies. It did not aim to be a textbook
upon tho subject It dkl not ovon claim
to exhaust the topic. I was willing that
others, coming after me. should continue
tho argument that Is, If upon reflection
they were still of opinion there was any
thing more to be said. I was pleased
with tho article. I went out of ray way
to obtain an early copy and the magazine
in which it appeared. On purpose to show
It to a lady friend of mine. She was the
possessor of ono or two babies of her
own specimens in no way remarkable,
though she herself, as was natural
enough, did her best to boom them. I
thought It might be helpful to her; tho
views and observations, not of a rival
fanciful fancier, who would bo prejudiced,
but of an intelligent amateur. I put the
magazine into her hands, opened afthe
proper place. "Read it through carefully
and quietly," I said; "don't let anything
distract you. Have a pencil and a bit of
paper ready at your side, and note down
any points upon which you would like
further information. If there is anything
you think I havo mtesed out lot me know.
It may be that hero and there you will
be disagreeing with me; if so, do not hesi
tate to mention it; X shall not be angry.
If a demand arise, I shall very likely Is
sue an enlarged and Improved edition of
Then housebuilding xnlsht bo a pleasure.
this paper In the form of a pamphlet; in
which case hints and suggestions that to
you may appear almost impertinent will
bo of distinct help to ma" "I haven't
got a pencil," eho said. "What's it all
aboutT "It's about babies." I explained.
I lent her a penciL (That is another
thing I've learnt Never lend a pencil to
a woman if you ever want to see It back
again. She has three answers to your re
quest for Its return. The first that she
gave It back to you, and that you put it
4a your pocket and that's it's there now:
that If It isn't it ought to be. The second
more and better work everywhere if -wri
had eight hours only. Such matters must
bo considered as a long-time proposition
There is so much work In every man and
if you take too much one day you will
havo so much less for the days to come.
One Of the college professors puts it this
way. If you want to get all you can out
of a man for one day only, work him the
whole 24 hours. If you want to get all you
can out of him for a week only, work him
20 hours a day; if for a month, give him
15 hours, and If for a year, work him 15
hours and keep him at It If you want to
work him several years let him have the
ted-hour day. But If you want to get the
most out of him for his whole working
lifetime you must cut his hours of labor
to eight per day. Tho fact Is that a man
can do and does do more work in eight
hours than in ten."
"How do you know that Mr. Mitchell?"
I asked. "Has it ever been tested?"
"Yes," was the reply. tln tho Illinois
coal mines tho time' was cut from ten
hours to eight After that tho product
was measured and tho eight-hour time
produced as much as the ten-hour time."
"But was that due to the freshness of
the men or to the fact that the bosses had
to got moro .work and rushed them hard
err" "It was largely due to tho freshness of
the men," said Mr. Mitchell, "although I
will say that tho operators knowing that
they must have a greater output per
hour bought better machinery and thereby
improved the facilities of rapid mining."
"There Is no doubt but the eight-hour
BABIES AMD BI"RDS, B,Lj JEROME
that you never lent it to her. The
third that she wishes people would not
lend her pencils and them clamor for
them back again. Just when she has
X Is very dear yem are not a mother.
something else far more Important to
think a'bout)
"What do you know about bablesr' she
demanded. "If you will read tho paper,"
I replied, "you will see for yourself. It's
all there." Sho flicked over tho pages
cantemptuously. "There doesn't seem
much of it" sberetorted. "It's condensed."
I pointed out to her. "I am glad It Is
short All right I'll read it" sho agreed. I
thought my presence might disturb her
so I went out into the garden.' I wanted
her to get tho full benefit of it I crept
back now and again to peep throughthe
open window. She did not seem to be
makinc many notes. But I heard her
making a little noise toyierself. Whoa
I saw she had reached the last page, I re
entered the room. "Wear I said. "Is it
meant to be funnyr she demanded, "or
is It Intended to be taken seriously?"
"There may be Cashes of humor here and
there" She did not wait to let me fin
ish. "Because, if it's meant to be funny,"
she said, "I don't think it Is at all funny.
And If it is intended to bo serious, there's
one thing very clear, and that is that you
aro not a mother!"
With tho unerring Instinct of a bora
critic sho had divined my one weak point
Other objection raised against me I could
have met But that one stinging reproach
was unanswerable. It has made me, as
I explained, chary of tendering advice on
matters outside of my own department
of life. Otherwise, at this period of the
year, there is much that I should like to
say to my good friends the birds. I want
to put It to them seriously. Is not the
month of February Just a little too early?
Of course, their answer will be the same
as in the case of my motherly friend.
"Oh, what do you know about it; you are
not blrd.".I Bsow I am not a bird, but
that is the very reason why 'they should
listen to me. I bring a fresh mind to bear
upon the subject I am not tied down by
bird convention. February, my dear
friends in these northern climca of ours.
day reduces drunkenness." Mr. Mitchell
Went on. "In those towns in Illinois whore
it has been, adapted there Is now a higher
standard of living, and at the same time
less drunkenness and fewer saloons. This
Is so notwithstanding wages, havo risen.
The man who works ten hours comes
home tired out He is in no condition for
rational enjoyment and he wants to go
either to the-saloon or to bed."
"Butwill not less hours be demanded if
elghf hours are given?" I asked.
"I think riof" was the reply. "I do not
expect to see lees than an eight-hour
day W my lifetime. Wo may havo a 44
hour week that is eight hours for five
days of the week and a half holiday Saturn
day. That is not unreasonable. Indeed, it
.prevails already In some branches of work
hi certain 'parts" of the country.0
Profit-Sharing Not Good.
"Speaking of wages, Mr. MltchelL what
do you think of Carroll D. Wright's idea
that tho wage system will pass away and
'oho of profit-sharing will tako Its placer
"I don't think it Is practical," replied
Mr. MltchelL "It would be difficult to
make an' equitable profit-sharing" arrange
ment. I think that wages will rise as
times goes' on, and In that way labor will
get moro of its share of the profits, but
as to a direct partnership with capital, I
don't think it advisable."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Wo should have to havo a different
scale of profltn for every factory, and
this scale would rise and fall with the
business. Labor would- not be content
with its sharo and capital would not be
satisfied. The two elements must always
be, to a certain extent antagonistic, al
though they are associated together."
"Do you think, workmen ought to havo
stock In the factories where they workr
"I doubt it The little stock they hold
cannot have weight in matters relating to
the business. It hampers their action.
The laboring man's greatest capital Is his
own muscle and brains. He relies upon
them for dally dividends. They are his
best investment and the one he should
take most care of. Any Interest ho has In
tho establishment to which he Is soiling
his muscle and brain will bo often vitally
opposed to this sale. In other words, he
has to work against himself. I think he
ought to keep out of all business connec
tions with those who pay. his wages."
"How about tho United Steel Com
pany's planr
"I think It has been a failure," said Mr.
MltchelL "The managers of the company
acted very generously and Intended to ben
efit the men when they gave them the
right to buy a certain amount of their
preferred stock at JS2.E0 a share. They
thought and the men who Invested
thought, too, that tho stock would In
crease In value and would pay good divi
dends right along. Sinco then It has gone
down moro than $25 per share. I think
tho Steel Company has acted very fairly
with tho men. They will get their divi
dends, but it will be a long-time before
they can bo paid back what they have
put in."
"How about unions In tho Government
service, Mr. Mitchell?" I asked.
"I see no reason against them," replied
Mr. MltchelL "I mean among all classes,
of Governmental clerks whose duties aro
not of a confidential nature. Men and
women who are working for the Govern
ment In the ordinary way havo a perfect
right to combine."
"Tako the Government printers, for in
stance," said L
'.Yes," replied Mr. Mitchell. "They
ought to have a union and manage thelr
affalrs on union lines just tho same as
though they were working for an lndlvid
uaL" "How about the mail clerks?"
"The same."
"How about the Army?"
"The Army, as we view It,"-,sald Mr.
Mitchell, "does not demand skilled labor.
I see no reason why It should have unions
and yet I see no reason why the soldiers
should not combine to ask the Govern
ment for more wages and jjther privi
leges." "How about politics; will we ever have
a labor Presidentr
'T don't know about that," eald Mr.
Mitchell, "If the time comes and the
man, It may be, but If so it will be by fair
and legitimate means. Abraham Lincoln
at all events it Is much too early. You
have to build in a high wind, and nothing,
believe me, tries a lady's temper more
than being blown about Nature is Na
ture, and womenfolks; my dear sirs, are
tho samo all the world over, whether
they bo bird or whether they be human.
I am an older person than most of you,
and I speak with the weight of experi
ence. If I wore going to build a house
with my wife, I shouuld not chooso a sea
son of the year when the bricks and
planks and things were liable to bo torn
out of her hand, her skirts blown over
her head, and she left clinging for dear
llfo to a scaffolding pole. I know the
feminine biped, and you take it from ma
that it is not her notion of a honeymoon
In April or May; the sun shining, tho air
Ualmy when, after carrying up to her
a load or two of bricks and a hod or two
of mortar, we could knock off work for
a few minutes without fear of the whole
house being swept away Into the next
street could sit side by side on the top of
a wall, our legs dangling down, and peck
a morsel together; after which I could
whistle a bit to her then housebuilding
might "be a pleasure. Tho swallows' are
wisest; Juno is their idea, and a very
good idea, too. In a mountain village in
the Tyrol early one Summer, I had the
opportunity of watching very closely the
building of a swallow's nest After coffee
the first morning, I stepped out of the
great cool, dark passage of the Inn into
tho blazing sunlight and for no particu
lar reason, pulled to the masslvo door
behind me. Whllo filling my pipe, a
swallow almost brushed by me, then
and Mrs. Sparrow wero out when I
arrived.
wheeled around again. I took up a po
slUon on the fence only a few yards from
at He was carrying, what to him was
an exceptionally large and heavy brick
He put it down beside him on the fence
and called out something- which I could
not understand. I did not move. He got
quite excited and said some moro. It was
undoubtable ho was addressing me no
body else was by and I judged from his
tone that he was getting cross with me.
At thi3 point my traveling companion.
Mr.
1 BEGAN
was a laboring man. He stood for all that
we stand for and he might havo been our
candidate."
"Just one question more, Mr. Mitchell,"
said L "What aro the rights of the non
union man?"
"Ho has all the rights of any individual,
under the law," was the reply.
"But the unions will not permit him to
exercise them," said J.
"I do not think you aro right," replied
hl3 toilet unfinished, put his head out of
the window just above me. "Such an odd
thing,"-he called down to me. "I never
noticed It last night A pair of swallows
aro building their nest here in the hall.
Where's tho darned house gone?
You've got to ba careful you don't mis
take it for a hatpeg. The old lady says
they havo built there regularly for the
last three years. Then it came to me
what it was tho gentleman had been say
ing to me: "I say. Sir you with a bit
of wood in your mouth you havo been
and shut the door, and I can't get In."
Now, with the key in my possession, it
was so clear and understandable, I really
forgot for tho moment he was only a
bird. "I beg your pardon," I replied; "I
had no Idea. Such an extraordinary place
to build a nest" I opened the door for
him, and taking up his brick again, he
entered and I followed him in. There was
a deal of talk. "Ho shut the door," I
heard him say. "Chap there, sucking tho
bit of wood. Thought I was never going
to get in." "I know," was the answer, "it
has been so dark in here, if you'll believe
me, I've hardly been able to see what I've
being doing." "Fine brick. Isn't it? Where
will you have it?" Observing me sitting
there, they lowered their voices. Evident
ly she wanted him to put tho brick down
and leave her to think. She was not
quite sure where she would havo it He,
on the other hand, was sure he had found
tho right place for It He pointed it out
to her -and explained his views. Other
birds quarrel a good deal during nest
building, but swallows are the gentlest of
little people. She let him put it where
he wanted to, and he kissed her and ran
out She cocked her eye after him,
watched till he was out of sight then
deftly and quickly slipped it out and fixed
it on the other side of tho door. "Poor
dear." I could see it In the toB3 of her
head. "They will think they know best;
It is just as well not to argue with them."
Every Summer I suffer much from in
dignation; I love to watch the swallows
building. They build beneath the eaves
outside my study window. Such cheerful
little chatterboxes they are! Long after
sunset when all the other bird3 are
sleeping, tho swallows still are chattering
softly. It sounds as if they were telling
ono another some pretty story, and, often
I cm sure there must bo humor la it, for
XY WOBS IN A COXb MUTE AT TITS AGE
IN A GARMENT-MAKING FACTORY THESE ABE AIL
the president of tho United Mlneworkers.
"The unions do not molest tho nonunion
worker in any .illegal way. There are
cases now and then. It is true, where in
dividuals .have been Ill-treated, but it has
been by individuals and not by the unions
as such. A great deal has been said about
such outrages and the deaths caused by
them. There have not been as many such
deaths In 30 years as ordinarily occur In
New York City In three months not as
much of such disorder in 20 years as is
K. JEROME
every now and then one hears a little
twittering laugh. I delight In having
them there so close to me. The fancy
comes to mo that one day when my brain
has grown moro cunning, I, too, listening,
in the twilight, shall hear tho stories that
they telL One or two phrases already I
have como to understand: "Onco upon a
time" "long, long ago" "in a strange,
far-off land." I hear theso words so con
stantly, I am sure I have them right I
call It "Swallow Street" thi3 row of six
or seven nests. Two or three, like villas
in their own grounds, stand alone, and
others are searl-detached. It makes me
angry that the sparrows will come and
steal them. Tho sparrows will hang
about deliberately waiting for a pair of
swallows to finish" Jheir nest then, with a
brutal laugh that "makes my blood boil,
drivo the swallows away and take posses
sion of It And the swallows are so won
derfully patient "Never mind, old girL"
says Johnny Swallow, after tho first big
cry is over, to Jenny Swallow, "Iet'a try
again." And half an hour later, full of
fresh plansi they are choosing another
likely site, chattering cheerfully once
more. I watched the building of a partic
ular nest for nearly a fortnight one year;
and when, after two or three days' ab
sence, I returned and found a pair of
sparrows comfortably ensconced therein,
I Just felt mad. i saw Mrs. Sparrow look
ing out Maybe my anger was working
upon my imagination, but It seemed to
me that she nooded to me. "Nice little
house, ain't It? What I call well built"
Mr. Sparrow then flew Up with a gaudy
feather dyed blue, which belonged to me.
I recognized It It had come out of the
brush with which the girl breaks tha
china ornaments in our drawing-room. At
any other time I should haye been glad to
sea him flying oft with the whole thing,
handle Included. But now I felt the theft
of that one feather as an added injury.
Mrs. Sparrow chirped with delight at the
sight of the gaudy monstrosity. Having
got the house cheap, they, were going to
spend their small amount of energy upon
Internal decoration. That was their idea
clearly, a "Liberty interior.' She looked
moro like a Cockney sparrow than a coun
try one had been horn and bred in Re
gent street, no doubt "There 13 not much
justice in this world." said I t my
self, "but there's going to be some intro
duced into this business that Is, if I can
find a ladder." I did find a ladder, and
fortunately it was long enough. Mr. ond
Mrs. Sparrow were out when I arrived;
possibly on the hunt for cheap photo
frames and Japanese fans'. I did not want
to make a mess; I removed tha house
neatly into a dustpan and wiped the street
clear of every trace of it I had Just put
back the ladder when Mrs. Sparrow re
turned with a piece of pjnk cotton wool In
her mouth. That wi3 her Idea of a color
scheme; apple blossom pink and Reckltt's
blue side by side. She dropped her wool
and sat on tho waterspout and tried to
understand things. "Number 1. Number 2,
number 3, where the blase" sparrows are
essentially common and the women are as
bad as the men "is number 37 .hit spar
row came up from behind, over the root.
He was carrying a piece of yellow fluff,
part of a lampshade, as far as I could
Judge. '"Move yourself," he said; "what's
the.ense of sitting there in the rainr "I
went out Just for a moment." replied
Mrs. Sparrow; "I could not have been
gone, no, not a couple of minutes. When
I cama back" "Oh, get indodfs," said
Or 13."
I
UNION GIRLS.
caused hy other things in Npw York. City
( .V. x-. .V- .la..'., ; l-
and Indeed all of tho unions, regret such
actions. We claim our right to persuado
tho nonunion .man not to work and to ar
gue with him by word of mouth, but not
to force him in any way. We claim the
right, not to work with him, if we so de
sire, and not to recognize him or fratern
ize with him."
FRANK G. CARPENTER.
(Copyright 1904.)
Mr. Sparrow, "talk about it there." "It's
what I'm telling you," continued Mrs.
Sparrow, "if you would only listen.
There isn't any door, there isn't any
house" "Isn't any" Mr. Sparrow,
holding onto tho rlnvof the spout turned
himself topsy-turvy and surveyed tho
street From where I was standing be
hind the laurel bushes, I could see noth
ing but his back- He stood up again
looking angry and flushed. "What havo
you done with tho house? Can't I turn
my back" "I ain't done nothing with it.
As I keep on telling you, I bad only Just
gone" "Oh, bother where you had gone.
Where's tho darned house gone? That's
what I want to know." They looked at
ono another. If evsr astonishment was
expressed in the attitude of a bird, it was
told by the tails of those two sparrows.
They whispered wickedly togetner. The
idea occurred to them that by force or
cunning they might perhaps obtain pos
session of one of the other nests. But all
the other nests wero occupied, and even
gentle Jenny Swallow, in her own home,
with the children round about her, Is not
to bo trifled with. Mr. Sparrow called at
Number 2, put his Head in at the doory
then returned to tho water-spout "Lady
saya we don't live there," ho explained to
Mrs. Sparrow. There was silence for a
while. "Not what I call a classy street,"
commented Mrs. Sparrow. "If It wero not
for this terrible tired feeling of mine."
said Mr. Sparrow, "blame mo it I wouldn't
build a houso of my own." "Perhaps,"
said Mrs. Sparrow. "I have heard it said
that a little bit of work, now and then,
does you good." "All sorts of wild Ideas
about in the air nowadays," said Mr.
Sparrow; "it don't do to listen, to every
body." "And it don't do to sit still and
do nothing, neither," snapped Mrs. Spar
row. "I don't want to forget I'm a lady,
bUt well, any man who was a man could
see things for himself." "Why did I ever
marry?" retorted Mr.Sparrow. They flew
away together, quarreling.
JEROME K. JEROMI
(Copyright, 1904.)
Concerning One.
Had she any dower
When she came?
Tes; her face" was Uke a flower.
And her soul was free from blame.
On her cheeks a roeeleat flange
Ever fluttered, wben she spoke,
Tbea for me the morning broke.
"Wore sho any crown
"When she died?
All the earth. Eeemed sodden brown,
Theugh 'twas' June; and children cried.
And placed flowers at her side;
And. the paths that once she trod
Seemed the highways unto-God.
L. Frank looker.
Winter.
Cowper.
0 Winter, ruler of ta Inverted year.
Thy scatter d hair with sleet-like ashes flll'd.
Thy breath congeal'd upon thy lips, thy. cheeks
Frinsd . with, a beard made white with, other
snows
Than those of age, thy forehead wrapp'd t
clouds,
A leafless braneh thy scepter, and thy throne
A sliding ear, indebted to no wheels,
But ursd by storms alons Its sllpp'ry way
1 crown thee king of Intimate dellshts.
Firefilda enjoyments, home-born happiness
And ali the comforts that the lowly roof
Of undisturb'd Retirement and the hours
Of lonp. uninterrupted &fnlus know!