"It'll be all right' now."
"What do you mean? Has it not been all right?"
"Well, you see," said Mr. Jackson, apologetically, "we have been
very lenient to your wife, but the rent has not been paid for over
two months, and--"
"And you were about to turn her and her children out-of-doors in
midwinter," broke in the soldier, wrathfully. "That is the way you
sleek, comfortable stay-at-home people care for those fighting
your battles. After you concluded that I was dead, and that the
rent might not be forthcoming, you decided to put my wife into the
street. Open your office, sir, and you shall have your rent."
"Now, Mr. Marlow, there's no cause for pitching into me in this
way. You know that I am but an agent, and--"
"Tell your rich employer, then, what I have said, and ask him what
he would be worth to-day were there not men like myself, who are
willing to risk everything and suffer everything for the Union.
But I've no time to bandy words. Have you seen my wife lately?"
"Yes," was the hesitating reply; "she was here to-day, and I--"
"How is she? What did you say to her?"
"Well, she doesn't look very strong.
Pages:
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541