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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1910)
i A Psychological Wonder Or Wu It a Matter of Contagious Disease? By GEORGE I BYINGTON T Copyright, 1910. by American Press Association. I arrived at N. late at night on a visit to my uncle and on arising the next morning, as was natural, went to the window to hare a look at my sur roundings. There was a bill not far distant, on the top of which was a bouse built in the form of a hexagon. There were other things to see, but somehow the hexagonal house drew my attention from all of them. It stood out alone. I saw no one moving In or about It, but in some of the win dows there were evidences that it was Inhabited. The first thing I said to my uncle at breakfast was, "Who lives in the hex agonal house on the hill ?" "What made you ask that?" said my uncle. "I don't know," I replied. "There's just one thing I wish to warn you about while you are here. Let that house alone." After breakfast I walked up to the hexagonal bouse and rang the bell. "I have to stay In town for a few days," I said to the man who opened the door, "and am looking for a place to sleep nights." It took me an hour and cost half a doxen lies to induce him to reut me a room for Just one night He said no one lived In the house except himself and wife in the rear basement as care takers. That evening at dinner I told my uncle that it was too lonely for me, and I Intended to take the nipht train for home. Instead of going to the sta tion, I went to the hexagonal house, was admitted and shown to my room, the second story front, east "You won't feel creepy sleeping all alone up here, will you?" asked the caretaker before withdrawing. "No. Why do you ask thut? Any thing peculiar about the room" "Oh, no; nothing especial. Least aways" "Welir "Fll tell you in the morning." And he went down the stairs, his footsteps echoing loudly through the house. I had been slumbering for perhaps an hour when I awoke with a start. For a moment I could not locate my self. Then I remembered I was Napo leon the Great. I was at St. Helena. I was lying in my bedroom in the house at Longwood. I was very un comfortable. I was ill. My stomach was on fire. Ah, I remembered! I had been ill for some time, and that infer nal English doctor was poisoning me. All these points came to ine in quick succession. Why did I get myself into this trap? Why did I surrender to perfidious Albion? I should have known that they would risk no second escape, as from Elba. Ah, if I hud had at Waterloo my old guard that 1 bad at Jeua, Wagrnm, Austerlltz! But they had starved or frozen In Russia. I opposed Wellington with troops offi cered by men they did not trust, and the officers no longer hnd fulth in me. My star had set. Besides, I was ill. This infernal trouble or something like It was oa me then. Why am I left alone by my attend ants? Where is my valet? Where Is Montholon, " Las Casas? Where are they all? I would call the doctor to relieve me of this infernal pain if I did not know he would give me more of his poison. I wish I hud now some real poison that would let me out ol this the bag I gave Constant to keep for me, fresh as when I first received It from the chemist. I found it on that dreadful night at Fontainebieu. Had it been its original strength I would have been spared that humiliat ing abdication. Some one Is coming. It is a man. I can hear his footsteps In the corri dor. The door Is opening slowly; oh, so slowly! What suspense! What, yon, D'Enghlen! Go back to your grave! Go, go, I say! It was not my fault. They carried out an order that I would have countermanded hud I known in time. They were always In a hurry to obey me when I wished them to be slow. Go back, I say, or if you must haunt your slayer turn to him who blundered. I hate him, as you do. In shooting you be concen trated Europe and cost me my throne. It put me here ou this desolate island to die a lingering death. uone? I can t stand this. I must nd it. How? My razor? My valet has it. A rope? I have' none. With a penknife I can open a vein. The knife I have. Shall I get it? Twice I tried when about to fall from the top or my self built pyramid, and twice I failed. Fate has never deceived me. Fate has worked in my case on con verging Hues. Fate will not let me take my own life. Nevertheless I cun try. Constant will get the knife for me. Constant! No one answered. I lay deliberating whether I should end It all or let my disease finish me till I fell nsleep. Then I dreamed that It was all over. I was in a casket perched upon an Im mense funeral car, passing down the Champs d'EIysee. The sidewalks, the windows, the housetops, were all crowded with vast throngs of people who as I passed uncovered, some of them waving, some crossing them selves, all excitedly lamenting. Ah, my French people, without your na tive enthusiasm 1 could not have bum bled Europe! But this Bourbon king! Fool! How dare he reawaken that spirit which has been slowly dying? Let him look out for his throne. It is more totter ing than this casket away up where it sways with every rut in the street Well, my body is at the Invalides. Now 1 may rest. I was awakened by a slight noise and opened my eyes. It was morning. The caretaker had come into my room and was setting down a pitcher of hot water. 1 was myself. But I had a crawly feeling from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet as if I had been keel hnuled. "Not feelin' very well this mornln', sir?" remarked the caretaker. "No; I've had an ugly dream." "How did the winder get broken, sir?" "I don't know. I didn't know it was broken. "And there's blood on the right arm of your nightshirt." 1 saw the broken window and the blood and was taken all aback. "What does it mean?" I asked. "The sash was nailed, sir," was the only reply. I arose, dressed myself and went straight down to my uncle, finding him at breakfast. He was astonished to see me, and I told him that I hid not gone home, but had slept in the hexagonal house. He started. "Well?" he asked eagerly. I gave him my experience. When I had finished he arose from the table and paced the floor. "What do you think about the bro ken window and blood on my night shirt?" I asked. "Have you the nerve tc hear how you have narrowly escaped death?" "Yes; I have." "Well, then, listen. The last man who lived In the hexagonal house was one who had lost bis reason. He fan cied himself to be Napoleon I. One morning bis body was found under the window of the room you slept in." "Great heavens!" I exclaimed, with a shudder. My uncle went to the telephone and called up Professor Starkweather of the University of D., located a few miles distant, and conversed with him, after which I was informed that sev eral of the professors would be down within an hour to take my statement. I was too shaken up to eat any breakfast, so I went and walked in the garden till the professors arrived. They took me Into a room and heard my story from beginning to end. Then Professor Starkweather asked me some questions. "Have you read much of Napoleon's life?" he asked. "Nothing but a little history, which I have forgotten." "Did you know that Napoleon be lieved that the Englfish were poisoning him while he was at St Helena?" "No." "Did you know who were with him there?" "No." "Did you know that Constant was Napoleon's valet and that Napoleon gave him a bag supposed to contain poison with which Napoleon tried to commit suicide just before his abdica tion at Fontainebieu?" "No." "Did you know that in 1840 King Louis Philippe brought Napoleon's body to France from St. Helena and that the Napoleonic enthusiasm ex cited largely contributed to the revo lution which dethroned that king and made Louis Napoleon president?" "No." "Did you know that Napoleon's shooting of the Duke d'Engbien con centrated the European powers against him?" "No." "Gentlemen," said Professor Stark weather to his colleagues, "it's a clear case of reincarnation." "Rather," said Professor Markland, dean of the medical college, "it proves that Insanity may in certain forms be a brain disease and that the germs of the patient who had formerly inhabit ed the room worked upon this young man." "Why, then, has he recovered so suddenly?" "Insanity In any event is affected by pure air, sunlight and other revivify ing causes. The young man was not exposed long enough to enable the germs to get a permanent foothold." "But how do you account for the knowledge the young man did not pre viously have of events in the life of Napoleon ?" "Psychologically considered, I admit my position is weak, but you must re member that there is such a thing as a transference of soul. However, that part of the problem is in your field rather than in mine. We study the body, you the soul." "There is one point in the story that looks suspicious," said Professor Blenker. "Napoleon calls on Con stant Constant was not at St. Hele na." "That may be explained," replied Frofessor Starkweather, "by the fact that Napoleon was near his end and likely delirious. He had formerly called on Constant for everything." While they were wrangling four more of the faculty of the university arrived, and all agreed that my state ment should be taken down at once while the impression was fresh on my mind. One of their number was ap pointed to write, and as I told the story any one who wished would ask a question. When the statement was finished it was taken in charge by rrofessor Starkweather, the meeting broke up. and, bidding goodby to my uncle, I started for home, glad to get as far as possible from the scene of my adventure. Union Made Shoes for Men and Women Union Made Shoes to Fit Every Purse In our display windows you will find the Best Styles and the Best Values of Men's, Women's and Childrens' Shoes in the Union Made Footwear. Noth ing but the best shoemakers in the country contribute their best models to our stock and nine cases out of ten these best makes are Union Made. 1 Note the Beautiful Styles we are showing for women. Footwear which combines style, comfort and quality. Note the practical styles of Footwear we display for men. Shoes Jthatcombine' style, comfort and quality. Union Made Footwear for EveryMember of theFamily MAYER BROS. TTfl GENERAL MENTION. Brief Bits of Laobr News Picked and Pilfered From Manywhere. The Big Foun depot in Springfield Ohio, will be erected by union labor. Labor Unions in Utica N. T., owil a lot upon which they propose tc erect a labor temple. . Chicago, III., ironworkers have a scale of 62 cents and hour and are asking for 65 cents. Machinists employed by the Lake Shore road have secured an increase of 1 cent an hour. New York City Cigarmakers' Union for twenty years has been unable to effect an increase in wages. Children under sixteen years t age cannot be employed in New Jer sey factories according to a law just passed after July; 1911. In Rhode Island a new law pro vides that no child under sixteen years of age shall work after 8 p. m. Nearly 1.000 children in iMe state are affected. The general headquarters of the International Hod Carries' and Build ing Laborers' Union of America has been removed to Albany, N. Y. Reports from big industrial centers tell of improved conditions of work ingmen, many increases in wages be ing received. In order to hold their flitting boy employes, three glass factory proprie tors at Fasentum, Pa., propose to erect a hotel just for such lads. During the last seventeen years, 22,840 men have lost their lives in our mines, and 11,000 of these deaths have occurred during the past six years. Plans are rapidly nearing fruition by which the three separate organiza tions of carpenters In the country will be amalgamated with Ihe United Brotherhood. The first National Labor Congress was held at Baltimore, August 23, 1866. This body met annually in dif ferent cities for several years there after. The tendency of labor legislation to conform to a standard, which is being raised from year to year, and a con sequent increasing uniformity in the provisions of such legislation are clearly in evidence. Boston, Mass., with a population of 600,000 has a cigamakers' union with a membership of 2,800. San Fran cisco, Cal., with a population of 500, 000, has a union of that trade with a membership of only 300. The United Brotherhood of Car penters will celebrate the twenty ninth year of its birth next August. The organization has close to 200,000 members, and its treasurer holds nearly $600,000. Four hundred and fifty thousand wage earners in Greater New Yor ffi TZ7y Ar t7 -uf- .. .. N . il ft!b HO are receiving wages smaller than $800 a year, the "minimum of decency' fixed by the annual report of the com mittee on congestion ofpOpuIation. The united garment workers America and their thousands of m? bers have been great sufferers as a result of the prison output of shirts, overalls, pantaloons and the like, used by working men in their trade. The Central Federated Union of New York City has issued an appeal to Samuel Gompers and other nation al labor leaders demanding the orga nization of a national labor party in this country, modeled on the lines of the British labor party. The question of establishing an old age pension fund is being considered by several of the big international unions. The old age pension fund of the International Typographical Un ion has been raised to $218,000. The labor organizations that have decided to extend education for their members are the International Typo graphical Union, Electrotypers, Sterc otypers, Photo Engravers, Printing Pressmen, Granite Cutters, Horse shoers, and the Pattern Maker j; League. The giving of a commission or a bonus to domestic servants or o the is making purchase for their employ ers is made an offense in New Jersey and Washington, the receiving of tips by waiters in hotels and ' restaurants and the giving of such tips being also prohibited in the latter state. Brick manufacturers in conjunction with the labor unions of Minneapolis, Minn., have succeeded in preventing contractors from taking advantage of the cheaper prices at which convict made bricks are offered, ana in conse quence about 2,500,000 prison-mad brick are at the city workhouse, which the superintendent Is unahle to get rid of. Judged by the number of laws en acted on the subject the employment of women and children is the ques tion most in the legislative mind in so far as labor legislation is con cerned, 32 states having enacted 51 laws or amendments thereon in the past two years. In the majority of cases these laws are amendatory. There will be a demand after May 1 by the members of the San Fran cisco, Cal., Hod Carriers' Union for double time for working more thai eight hours a day. Members of this Union who work with plasterers are paid $5.62 a day and those who work with bricklayers are paid $4.50 for eight hours work. The National Association for thb Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis is sending notices to labor organiza tions that Sunday, April 24, will be "tuberculosis Sunday," when the sub ject will be discussed in 215,000 churches in the United States. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& UNION MADE GOODS Homage Paid to Beauty. There are some very pretty womem who don't understand the law of the road with regard to handsome faces. Nature and custom agree in conceding to all males the right of at least two distinct looks at every comely female countenance without any infraction of the rules of courtesy or the sentiment f respect. Dr. Holmes, "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table." Retaining Friendship. Most of us have trouble keeping our friendships in repair. It is neces sary, though trying. Few. Few "men succeed In doing things which will cause them to be pleasant ly remembered when they are dead "broke." Chicago Record-Herald. A Conundrum. Why is a musical instrument like the open sea? Because it is often sounded. Home Notes. Motto for Success. You must say nothing. "That Is beneath me," nor feel that anything - ha out of your power. Mirabeau THIS YEAR'SCON VENTIONS. May 2, Philadelphia, Pa., Chartered Society of Amalgamated Lace Opera tives of America. May 9, Louisville, Ky., Amalgamat ed Meat Cutters and Butcner Work men of North America. May , Cincinnati, Ohio, Tin Plate Workers' International Protective As sociation. May 11, Cincinnati, Ohio, American Federation of Musicians. May 23, Buffalo, N. Y., National Print Cutters' Association of America. June 6,- Chicago, III., International Association of Marble Workers. June 13, St. Louis, Mo. International Brotherhoot of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, and Helpers. ' June 13-19, Omaha, Neb., Interna tional Stereotypers and Electrotypers' Union of North America. June 13, New York, N. Y., Interna tional Brotherhood of Tip Printers. June 13, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Inter national Brotherhood of Bookbinders June, third week, Columbus, Ohio, International Printing Pressmen . an Assistants' Union of North America. June 27, St. Louis, Mo., Internation al Union of Pavers, Rammermen. Flagers, Bridge and Stone Curb Set ters. . June , Kansas City, Mo., Interna tional Journeymen Horeshoers' Union. July 4, not decided as to place, Amalgamated Leather Workers; Union of America. July 11, New York, N. Y., Interna tional Longshoremen's Association. July 11, Pittsburg, Pa., International Jewelry Workers' Union of America. July 11, New York, N. Y., Interna tional Longshoremen's Association. July 11, Pittsburg, Pa., Internation 9 Kb to al Jewelry Workers Union of Amer ica. July 11, Atlantic City, N. J., Glass Bottle Blowers' Association of the United States and Canada. July 11, Washington, D. C-, Theatri cal Stage Employes' International Alli ance. , - jy'- July 12, Dover, N. J., Stove Mount ers and Steel Range Workers' Inter national Union. July 16, Springfield, Mass., Ameri can Wire Weavers' Protection Associ ation. July 18, Ottawa, Ont-, International Steel and Copper Plate Printers Union." July , Atlantic City, N. J.,' Na tional Brotherhood of Operative Work ers. August 1, Peoria, III., International Brotherhood of Teamsters. August 8, Minneapolis, Minn., Inter national Typographical Union. August 22, Detroit, Mich., United Garment Workers of America. September 5-6-7,' Chicago, HI., Na tional Federation of Post Office Clerks. September 5, Chicago, HI., Interna tional Slate and Tile Roofers of Amer ica. , September 5, Boston, Mass.,- Interna tional Brotherhood of Maintenance ;f September 6-10, Louisville, Ky., In ternational Photo-Engravers'. Union of North America. September 6, Bangor, Pa., Interna tional Union of Slate Workers. September 8, Boston Mass., Inter national Spinners' Union.' September 12, Kansas City, Kansas. Coopers' International Union. September 12, Denver, Colo., Inter national Union of United Brewery Workmen of America. September 12, Philadelphia, Pa., International Union of Elevator Con structors. September 12, Streator, HI., Inter national Brick, Tile and Terra Cotta Workers' Alliance. September 13, New York, N. Y., American Brotherhood of Cement .Workers. September 19, Des Moines, Iowa, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. September 19, Rochester, N. Y., In ternational Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Worker September 21, St. Paul, Minn., Brotherhood of Railroad Freight Handlers. . - Sentember 26. Columbus. Ohio, Oper ative Plasterers' International Associ ation of the United States ana Can ada. ' October 18, New York, N. Y., Unit ed Textile Workers of America. October 18, Detroit, Mien., Interna tional Association of Car Workers.