"THE telegram!" exclaimed Maverick ten days later, striding down the
garden where Jack was at work in the strawberry-bed.
Jack Darcy flushed like a girl, through the other fine coloring of
labor. He had hardly dared to believe in and hold to Maverick's promise.
Manlike, neither had spoken of it since that night.
"'Thursday, at four, at the Westminster.' That is to-morrow. We must be
on time, or she would never have any faith in us; and, though my credit
may be _nil_, yours must be"--
"As I hope to keep it through my life," was the grave reply. "You will
take the morning train?"
"Yes. It will give us a trifle of spare time, which won't be bad for a
couple of overworked fellows like us. But I must look after a lot of
people this afternoon, and if I can I will drop in this evening."
Jack went back to his strawberries. He had been making a mental
calculation about an acre, and the profits thereon, moved to it by
something Jane Morgan had said. Twenty miles below them, on Swanston
Bay, which was quite a summer-resort, the hotel-keepers had paid
twenty-five cents per quart for nice large berries. On their little
patch they had raised a hundred and twenty quarts. There was another
side to the labor-question,--diversity of industry. Jane's idea of a
great fruit-garden, or call it a farm, was not bad. You could crowd ten
such patches in an acre of ground. If nothing better came to hand, he
might hire some of the ground lying waste around Yerbury, and set the
idle at work.
Sylvie came through with some flowers in her hand. Jack looked up again,
and laughed, and threw himself on the grass under a tree, chatting
gayly. He felt so light at heart! She wondered a little, and then,
without knowing the cause, rejoiced with him in the depths of her soul.
The two men started the next morning, and at the appointed time were
ushered into Miss McLeod's private parlor. Maverick had said, "She's a
little queer in some ways; but in the main you will like her, I think."
Meanwhile Jack had formed a dozen ideals of her, based mostly on the
personal appearance of Miss Barry and his grandmother.
The door of the adjoining room opened, and Miss McLeod entered. An old
woman, of course, and a fashionable woman, but with a young-old face and
figure. Not the graceful airiness of youth, so often painful in its
desire to impress the beholder with what it is not, but an old age to
which all the good things of life, rightly used, have contributed, and
brought about a delightful result. She was of medium height, and
possibly had not been handsome in her palmy days; but she challenged
one's respect for a true and honorable womanhood, and an old age neither
inane, querulous, nor servile.
A rather plump figure, with deep chest, full shoulders, and erect
carriage. The face was wrinkled; but the skin had a peachy softness, the
lips were still full and finely curved, and, though the mouth was rather
wide, it indicated resolution and decision. The whole contour of the
face was slightly aquiline, the forehead high and broad, but the curling
hair falling over it in the requirements of fashion softened it; shining
silvery white, curling naturally, and very abundant, the coil at the
back partly covered with a diamond-shaped bit of elegant black thread
lace that matched the barb at her throat. Her rich, soft, steel-colored
silk made no rustle as she crossed the floor, but the diamonds in her
ears and on her breast flashed a glitter of sunlight about her.
Maverick greeted her with pleasant but not effusive warmth, and
introduced his friend. They skirmished on the boundary-line of small
talk for a while, Jack feeling that he was being measured and gauged at
every possible indication of the real man, but his honesty of purpose
kept him steadfast.
Presently Maverick plunged into the business part, much to Darcy's
satisfaction.
"I wrote to my lawyer, Mr. Hildreth, about it," Miss McLeod replied. "He
has seen the parties holding the mortgage; and, on account of business
embarrassments, they are extremely anxious to realize upon it. Mr. Minor
is naturally desirous of having it sold at an advantage; but he is on
the bond, and has been making continuous efforts with no success. No one
can tell how low property will sink, business property especially, that
depreciates so rapidly if neglected. The mortgage is considered
one-third of what the property was valued at seven years ago; but we
have all shrunk a trifle since that," with a shrug, and a curious little
bend of the head, as if the decapitation was not altogether a pleasant
process. "This is the 4th of August, and on the 19th it is advertised
for sale. There may be one chance in a thousand of a better purchaser;
though Mr. Hildreth thinks no one but a lunatic, or a woman, would put
money in such an adventure," her lips curving in their bitter-sweet
smile. Indeed, there was nothing she was so much like as a cluster of
bright bitter-sweet berries, on a sharp but sunshiny autumn day, with
the leaves and tendrils brown and faded, but the brilliant life and soul
still shining from the ripe centre. She impressed you with the same
defiant glow of exultation.
"I have money lying idle, it is true," she continued; "but I want to
hear your plans before I decide, Mr. Darcy. Philip," nodding to her
nephew, "has interested me in this scheme; but I must know what it
promises before I take the risk."
Jack was confused a little by the bright, penetrating glance; and he had
not quite overcome his boyish trick of blushing. Often as he had gone
over the plan with Howell, Fawcett, and other political economists at
his tongue's end, all his troupe of fine ideas seemed to desert him. He
laughed at his own embarrassment: she smiled and nodded, and that made
them friends.
"I don't know that I can put it any better," he began earnestly, "than
to say that I want to take up the lever of work, and put the wheels of
labor in motion, to bring the starving workmen and the halting capital
together again. It is all very well for us to rush every dollar into
government-bonds; but if there is no business, what is to augment our
revenue, and where then shall we be finally, with our mills and
workshops shut up, and our people begging? If I had enough of my own to
bridge over the chasm, I would ask no one's help," he went on a little
proudly. "The mills at Yerbury stand in sad silence, with ruin before
them; our men are idle and dispirited, turning into tramps and
vagabonds, because they hate to sit still and starve. And here am I, of
no real use to the world, and the eight years back of me that I have
spent in perfecting myself of no account either, unless I find something
upon which to employ my ability and training. If I purchase the mills,
we must hire capital to work them with, and everybody would be shy of
us. We can get together the capital if we could be sure of the place for
five years, at a moderate rental."
"But would not a joint-stock company answer the purpose better, and
carry more weight?" she asked, listening with a sort of intent wariness.
"I want to enlist the workmen, so that we shall be reasonably sure of
co-operation in other things beside money, industry, thrift,
faithfulness, and a common interest in success. If times are hard, we
shall all make sacrifices: if they improve, we shall benefit by the
earnestness of our endeavors. Maverick and I have made a little draft,
based on the workings of the best French and English societies. If you
will look it over"--and he took it out of his memorandum.
She studied it with a keen, rapid glance.
"It is what I should call an industrial partnership," Darcy continued.
"We _should_ own the mill; but, as we cannot, that must go in the
working expenses. As the men choose, and are able, they can hold shares;
but at present this will be obtained--say from a dozen perhaps. Nothing
now will bring in twenty or even ten per cent, and we must be satisfied
with whatever we can make. We have had our good times, and now we must
take the evil; but if there is any better way than sitting down
resignedly, and folding both hands, I, for one, want to find it."
She was taking in the combinations of emotion and purpose that flitted
over his face. A man who would do something if he could get that hardest
of all things, a foothold to stand upon.
"I think you might make more money," she said with pointed brevity.
"Which would not be co-operation," with his frank, genial laugh that
went to her heart. "I want to try the experiment. Not that I expect to
solve all the difficulties between labor and capital; but I shall try to
make them better friends, so that, when you have weathered a hard gale,
pinching yourselves to keep on the workmen, they will not strike for
higher wages on the first stir of improvement, as they will be certain
of their share."
"You are a philanthropist, Mr. Darcy. Can you depend upon the temper of
your men? They may do very well just now when they are starving; but,
when times improve, are they going to wait one year or five years for
the sum they consider part of their wages? And if there should be no
surplus, but losses, as has often happened in manufacturing? Your
workman will
'Fork out his penny, and pocket your shilling,'
fast enough; but when the tables are turned, what then?"
"There _must_ be a different feeling when men are banded together in a
mutual business interest. The very spirit of association appeals to what
is best and noblest in human nature. As it has been in Yerbury, for
example, the workmen contributed of their ability and strength to
support one family in princely luxury, pay one extravagant salary, and
several others that were out of all proportion to the wages earned, and
an extensive defalcation. No one is at all the gainer now, unless it be
the thief," his face scarlet with indignation at the remembrance of
Eastman. "The men have been hit the hardest of all. No wonder they feel
bitter and discouraged. We make many an Ishmael by sending him out with
his jug of water, while there are feasting and revelry within."
"But you cannot make all human nature noble or sensible or grateful.
There is the grand co-operation of the forty years in the wilderness,
when food was provided, and clothing lasted miraculously; yet under
these favorable circumstances, and with the sure promise at the end,
there was not a heavenly unity."
Jack laughed heartily.
"We must keep from golden calves and such folly," he said. "We are
likely enough to have our waters of Marah. But it seems to me the best
way to ennoble labor, give it its true dignity, and show the
possibilities for the workmen, is concerted action. As matters stand
now, few poor men can ever acquire sufficient capital to start any
business; and perhaps this is not best when we consider the cost of
machinery, and the ever-appearing new inventions. The small capitalist
could _not_ compete with the large one. Yet capital often takes as its
right the best strength of the workman, the years of maturity and
ability, and throws him off in his old age. I know labor retorts by
carelessness, wastefulness, and utter indifference to the employer's
welfare. One is a machine to grind labor into money; the other, to grind
all he can out of capital. Perhaps my design is Utopian, but it seems as
if something ought to be done before we train a whole generation of men
to be paupers and thieves. Better that we should spend our money in
labor experiments than supporting poorhouses and prisons."
Jack had lost his embarrassment now. There was a glow on his cheek, and
a steady fire in his eye, the lines about the mouth sharply drawn, and
indicating not only masterly strength, but a kind of pitying patience,
that would never degenerate into sentimentality. It was a very manly,
trusty face; and his sterling honesty impressed Miss McLeod, long
trained to reading faces, while his sturdy good sense promised much.
"I should like Mr. Hildreth to see this paper," turning it in her still
supple fingers. "What if some of your men insist upon going out after a
year or two, Mr. Darcy?"
"There will be some kind of forfeiture, of course. The true business
capital must remain intact the whole five years: the direct proceeds of
labor may be subject to some changes, but in any event the business
interests must not be jeopardized."
There was a moment's interruption of a servant; then dinner was brought
in, and arranged for three. The bright-eyed old lady made a charming
hostess. She poured their tea with a quaint dignity, and made them feel
quite as if she were dispensing hospitality in her own house.
She was the kind of woman whom young people, past the lunacies of
sixteen, invariably like. The feminine portion told her their love
troubles, the young wives came to her with tangles and little
jealousies; and, if she could not always straighten them out, she had a
marvellous way of comforting. Young men drifted toward her by some
species of magnetism, though she had none of the fussy motherliness of
some old ladies. With faculties still keen and bright, a great fund of
good-humor that had the sparkle of champagne rather than any insipid
sweetness, she never wearied or palled on any one. She kept herself well
informed of the world's progress, she knew of the principal stars in the
literary, dramatic, and artistic world, and to be asked to her house was
a compliment.
The conversation was more general now; and, though Maverick had told
every thing of note about Yerbury, she was not indisposed to listen to
it again. They discussed the panic and its causes, and ventured upon
guesses as to its duration. They all agreed that there had been too much
haste to be rich, too much greed of speculation, too much personal
greatness, and not enough national greatness. No generous striving
together to build up what the war had pulled down, but every man for
himself and for gold. If women had been frivolous and vain, and dazzled
by the glare of newly acquired wealth, men had not been quite free from
faults. The terrible lowering of morals, the dishonesty and fraud easily
condoned, and laughed over as a kind of shrewdness, were sad examples to
set before the next generation.
In her way Miss McLeod was quite a politician, having been so much in
that circle. Her views of men and measures were keen and discriminating;
and her bits of trenchant wisdom quite dazzled Jack, who at the last,
proposed laughingly, as his panacea, that every man should undertake the
mending of himself, when the world would soon be righted.
Afterward a coupé came, and they drove to the Park. There evening and
the bonny new moon overtook them; but the streets and country roads were
so inviting, they did not return until quite late.
"Consider yourselves my guests for the night," she said as they drove
back to the hotel, and Maverick was too wise to demur.
"I have been thinking this matter over," she said as they were
separating. "My part will be purchasing the mills, and I shall take so
much in the shape of rent. I want you to consider what per cent you can
pay, and not straiten yourselves too much. I frankly confess that I am
greatly interested in you, Mr. Darcy; and as this young man," touching
Maverick's shoulder, "prefers to 'gang his ain gait,' he leaves me quite
free to waste my money as I like. Be fair to yourself. Good-night."
"It's all right with you, Jack," began Maverick after they had been
shown to their room. "Aunt Jean is a trump! I almost forgive her Miss
Lothrop. But I suppose women would be less than women, if they did not
want to dip their fingers into destiny. It is their mental chessboard."
"But you do love her? your aunt, I mean."
"Why, of course. Still, I should never dangle in any woman's train;"
with a curl of the lip.
Miss McLeod was going back to Narragansett the next morning. They
discussed their last item of agreement; and Jack said, with modest
decision, "that such real estate could not possibly pay more than three
per cent to any owner in the course of the next few years. He would
rather offer her that, and a share contingent on the amount of business
done at the end of five years, than assume any greater risk just now."
"Thank you for your honesty and your good sense," she replied. "If you
had offered higher, I should have had some doubts of your financial
clear-headedness. It will be an equitable bargain. And will you be kind
enough to make some arrangements for me in Yerbury? I shall come on the
18th, with a companion and a maid; and Mr. Hildreth will follow the next
morning. Get your plans in shape by that time. I am glad to have met
you, Mr. Darcy, and I wish you success in your undertaking."
They shook hands cordially, and went their ways. Jack could hardly
believe his good fortune, and now he was afraid some other parties might
step in and take the mills.
"Much likelihood," laughed Maverick.
Jack took Cameron in hand first, as he had been the real suggester of
the plan. He, Darcy, could use his ten thousand; and, if ten more could
be subscribed, they would not need to hire outside. As time went on,
this capital might be equalized and increased. Hurd offered two thousand
and himself; and just then one of the old hands who had succeeded in
getting rid of a good bit of property that had weighted him heavily, and
picked up a little money here and there, subscribed five thousand.
Yardley had none of his own, but persuaded his wife's sister to invest a
thousand. The other, Miss Barry offered, if no workman came to hand.
Winston was a handy Jack-of-all-trades. He could repair machinery, or do
any kind of wood-work: he had sold cloth on commission, bartered and
traded, and had a good deal of shrewdness and good sense, and pluck. He
and Darcy would do the buying and selling; Cameron would take charge of
supplies, deal them out, and see that nothing went to waste; Hurd and
Yardley would be overlookers as before. Every man could weave his yard
of cloth with the best. They would constitute the managing force.
The days passed rapidly; and to Jack's great satisfaction no purchaser
appeared, no curious soul even sauntered about the mills. Miss McLeod
came at the appointed time, accompanied by Miss Lothrop, who was as
distant to Maverick as if this were their first meeting. The ladies were
to stay with Mrs. Darcy, and the best in the house was placed at their
disposal with simple courtesy. They were taken to the mills, where they
made a tour of inspection; Jack explaining machinery, looms, shuttles,
and spindles, with an enthusiasm that amazed even himself. There was a
new interest in the thought of having a voice in the direction of that
great engine now so silent, and the work it was to do.
"We shall not use half our looms in the beginning," he said; "but I
hope, before the five years are ended, we shall be doing our utmost."
They all hoped so for his sake. "If any man can make the plan work, he
will," thought Miss McLeod, who liked him better every hour.
Miss Barry and Sylvie came to call on the ladies in the evening.
"I suppose that is Mr. Darcy's sweetheart," Miss Lothrop remarked
afterward. "She is a pretty, enthusiastic little thing, and she takes so
much interest in his affairs. I can just fancy how they will work
together, and the earnest, useful lives they will lead. What butterflies
we are!" looking down at her white helpless hands. "Not you, but the
young women of the day in general. You are a busy bee, and still keep
storing up your honey."
"And sting occasionally," laughed the sharp, bright old lady.
The sale took place the next morning at ten, at the Court House. There
was quite a number of spectators, though the ladies, with Maverick and
Darcy, were in a private office. Hamilton Minor had come up, resolved
that it should not go for less than the mortgage, but desirous of ending
his responsibility. There were but two bids. The auctioneer lingered a
long while on Mr. Hildreth's bid, commenting on the enormous sacrifice,
but he could move no one's interest. It was reluctantly knocked down,
the purchase-money paid, and the deed made out to Miss McLeod.
Then the company's agreement was put in lawful, legal shape. The
managing board of five men were to have sole charge of buying, selling,
and manufacturing. They were to give all their time and ability, to
watch the state of the market, and conduct every thing for the benefit
of the whole corporation. Darcy was to prepare a balance-sheet
semi-annually, showing profit and loss; and this was to be open to the
inspection of the firm.
The parties to the second part, the workmen, were to work ten hours a
day, six days in the week, under the supervision of Hurd and Yardley.
The wages of the men and the salaries of the managers were to be put at
the minimum rate, and both parties were to draw two-thirds of this sum
weekly. At the end of the year, the profits on labor and capital were to
be evenly divided; one half apportioned to the capital, the other half
divided _pro rata_; but only half of this sum to be drawn out yearly,
the other turned over to the capital stock, and placed to each man's
credit. If any operative should become dissatisfied, and leave, his
share of the profits was to be forfeited to a fund for sick or disabled
workmen. Any member of the association guilty of misconduct was to be
twice reprimanded, and for a third offence expelled. A standing
committee of the workmen, with one chairman, was to investigate and
settle such matters. Shares of capital as low as fifty dollars would be
within reach of the workmen. A clause was inserted, that no ale, beer,
or spirituous liquors were to be brought into the mill during working
hours. It had been one of the old-time rules, but often transgressed.
Each man was to use his best endeavors to promote the interests of the
firm.
At the end of five years, the agreement was to cease, and the profits to
be divided.
Then the five-years' lease of Hope Mills and all its appurtenances was
made out to "Hope Mills Co-operative Association," and duly signed. The
rental was to be six hundred and sixty dollars per annum, the company to
pay the taxes, and keep the mills in ordinary repair.
Then the managers and a number of the workmen marched over to Hope Mills
in a body, opened the doors and barred shutters, and entered with an
exultant step. They were to try their hand at good-fellowship in labor,
and see if it would solve the vexations of the old system, or prove any
stronger bond. Maverick had spread a little feast in what had been
Eastman's office; and they sat down together, the ladies, joined by
Sylvie Barry, Mrs. Darcy, and Miss Morgan, taking the head of the table.
Some speeches were made, and some toasts drank, and everybody wished
success to Hope Mills. Had John Hope unconsciously foretold their future
when he christened them for his own glory? Darcy thought so. The name
had a higher significance now, and was to be the earnest of many souls,
the watchword to inspire them.
Miss McLeod bade them a hearty farewell. "There may arise some
emergency, Mr. Darcy," said she, "when indorsing a note, or a similar
matter, will be of great importance to you. I shall not promise to do
much of it; but I am strongly interested in this experiment, and want it
to have a fair trial. Let me hear from you occasionally; and, if you are
in any great strait, apply to me."
Jack thanked her warmly, and she and Miss Lothrop went their way.
"She is a regular fairy godmother," he said enthusiastically to
Maverick. "I wonder that you do not adore her!" and he studied his
friend in astonishment.
"Have you never heard of people being so much alike they could not
agree?" he asked with a light laugh. "What ever possessed her to bring
Miss Lothrop? It was in bad taste, to say the least; and, whatever
faults aunt Jean may have, she seldom makes a blunder of that kind."
"Why, Sylvie was--well, a good deal pleased with her. The acquaintance
was so short"--
"Miss Barry is the most generous and least exacting woman that I ever
saw. She judges people by her own noble soul. Jack Darcy"--Maverick shut
his lips with a sudden resolution, and turned his face partly aside,
then said in a curiously changed tone, "We are two fools to be talking
about women, when there are more important matters on hand."
"But I shall always feel grateful to Miss McLeod. There are several
moneyed men here in Yerbury whose capital is lying idle, who would not
have done this thing for me if they knew it would keep half Yerbury from
starving. Yet, if I had offered them ten per cent, they would hardly
have hesitated. It does seem to me sometimes, that these old dons tempt
one into lying first, and swindling afterward. If you make them all
straight, they do not care how much crooked work you do elsewhere."
"Natural depravity and innate selfishness."
And now began the real work. The mills were cleaned of the year's
accumulation of dust and cobwebs and general untidiness. Winston went at
the machinery with hearty good-will, and put it in order. Circulars were
sent out to the old patrons and to new houses, and workmen, workwomen,
and children straggled in to see what was going on. Were Hope Mills to
be really opened? and was Mr. Darcy to be master? True, a good many of
the best men had gone off to try their luck elsewhere, but there were
plenty left for a start. Only, there was a mystery these people could
not understand. Something about wages, and something about money; and
Jack patiently explained the matter, until, as he told Maverick, he felt
like a cheap-John auctioneer, dispensing wares.
"The best thing will be to have a meeting," declared Maverick. "See
here, Darcy: I'll hire Brock's Hall myself; and we will have a lecture,
or a conference-meeting. Subject, 'Work and Wages.' I'll have some
posters out too. Every one will know what we mean, that we are honest
men and true; and you will be spared this everlasting palaver. Then we
will have some rules, or by-laws, or something, for the workmen. Talk to
Mr. Winston about it. He would make a capital speaker, with his glib
tongue."
Darcy thought it an excellent plan, and they set about it immediately.
"But you'll have to post me," confessed Winston. "The only co-operation
I ever was in was a building-association, and our treasurer ran off with
our funds."
Maverick promised to "coach" him. Indeed, it was the doctor who gathered
up statistics, and put them in a compact and telling form.
They had a large audience,--men and women. "Robert Winston, Esq.," was
the orator of the evening. He was a fluent speaker, and had a good deal
of humor. He began about the early Anglo-Saxon guilds, and the banding
together of craftsmen when towns grew large and prosperous, and labor
was performed in the workshops, instead of at home; of the importance of
the woollen-manufacture in the days of Elizabeth, not only in England,
but on the Continent, when kings did not disdain to borrow money of
these corporations; of their final overthrow, and the causes leading to
it; of the growth of trades-unions, and the views of conflicting writers
on the subject. The workman's necessities so often compelled him to
accept what he felt to be inadequate returns, because he could not
wait,--it was work or starvation with him,--so that in dull times he was
not only at the mercy of the employer, but every other starving workman.
On the other hand, so few workmen ever informed themselves concerning
the employer's perplexities and dangers, they had no broad and vital
interest in the business until they all became leagued together, as in
co-operation. Then they shared one another's burdens and prosperity. It
was not the one great fortune, but the many comfortable incomes. It was
the fruit of the noblest thought and the truest philanthropy. As a
producer it had done its best work in France; and he went briefly over
the work of the masons at Paris, and the Association Remquet, which,
after carrying on printing business for ten years, divided among its
members an average of over ten thousand francs; the cloth-factory at
Vienna, with its flour-mill, bakery, grocery, coal-yard, and farm; the
different societies in England, that were promising, to say the least.
All this had been done by the thrift and economy of individual members,
who educated themselves by doing business, and so were enabled to
dispense with the profits of middle-men, and the greedy clutch of
speculators.
After Winston had finished, Dr. Maverick went briefly over their plans
for Hope Mills in a very simple and direct manner.
"Winston was capital!" said Jack afterward. "When we are hard up we can
send him off on a lecturing-tour. But wasn't it rather over the heads of
our people?"
"It was for others beside the workmen. You know, Darcy, some men are so
used to swindling and misrepresentation, that they invariably accuse
every plan of another, of the same motive. You will have a good deal of
this back talk before your five years are ended; and I want Yerbury to
know that this is an old, old scheme. I might have quoted the children
of Israel, as aunt Jean did, and shocked the religious portion of the
community. But, after all, isn't the greatest truth, the Golden Rule,
co-operation in _all_ forms?" and he glanced up triumphantly.
Jack did not gainsay him.
He had hit the truth in regard to Yerbury. Some of those who had managed
to hold on to their money through all the stress of hard times raised
their eyebrows and shook their heads in amused derision. "A fool and his
money," said they, and "Set a beggar on horseback," besides numerous
wise saws people love to fling at their neighbors. A mortifying collapse
was predicted. There wasn't a woollen-mill in the country paying. The
smaller people who had been easily induced to invest their money in
building-lots, under the supposition that in a few years there would
hardly be standing-room in Yerbury, looked askance at this project, so
much more easily does speculation appeal to human nature, than the
slower but more honorable results of industry.