Read Online The Coal War by Upton Sinclair - Free Book Online Page A

cousin, Appleton Harding, a rising young lawyer of Western City. “Appie” pointed out the obvious fact that all Hal could accomplish by proceedings for criminal libel was to give the story wider circulation. But Hal was not to be restrained, he would not quit till he had that editor either in jail or in hospital! He went off, threatening to consult another lawyer; and so “Appie” made haste to warn Brother Edward, who had to threaten to take the matter to their father.
    And even this lesson was not enough; the youth of too much wealth would not give up being a fanatic, and trying to overthrow the foundations of society! There was another conference, this time between Edward Warner and Garret Arthur, the “bond-worm”, and a plan was worked out for the salvation of the young fanatic’s future. But it was cautiously agreed by the conspirators that they would not let the young fanatic know the origin of the plan. Garret Arthur could realize that it was no job for a “bond-worm”, to handle a youth gone mad on socialistic moonshine. If they hoped to save him, they must be wise as serpents and harmless as—well, as a girl with star-dust in her hair, and eyes wide-open, questioning, full of wonder!
    The day after the conference Hal received a note on beautiful stationery, in one of those tall hands whereby young ladies of fashion demonstrate their indifference to the cost of ink and paper, asking him if he could not come to see her at once about a matter of importance. When he came, he did not find Jessie wrought up about hideous insinuations in scandal-sheets; no, for if young ladies of fashion know of the existence of scandal-sheets, or even of scandals, they do not mention it to their brothers and sweethearts. Jessie was lovely as ever, and radiant with happiness, because she had just heard the most heavenly news—her mother was going to take her abroad in a couple of weeks, to stay for a long, long time; and, wonder of wonders, she invited Hal to accompany them!
    Hal could easily perceive what was back of this project. But he saw that Jessie’s heart was set upon it, so he contented himself with replying that he would have to take time to think about so vital a change in his plans. What were his plans, Jessie asked; and when he answered, he saw tears of distress come into her eyes. Hal had been meaning to spend the summer investigating conditions in the mining properties of the Warner Company!

[18]
    When Hal thought the matter over he found himself inclining to give way to his relatives. There were movements in Europe which a young revolutionist might well afford to know about. There were men who had been grappling for generations with problems to which America was just awakening; and to meet these men face to face would be a wonderful experience. Also, Hal told himself, he would be giving Jessie a chance—he could devote more time to her, he could take her about and try to make her understand what he was doing. On the other hand it was clear that if he declined the invitation there would be real trouble with the Arthur family. Mount Vesuvius had been in eruption again, and Jessie lived in an atmosphere of sulphur and brimstone. Possibly that was why her eyes were full of tears, Hal suggested. But it was no joking matter; her father had actually proposed that she should drop Hal from her life. On that occasion the old gentleman had made the alarming discovery that his favorite daughter was subject to attacks of hysterics; so now he was as much afraid of his daughter as of Socialism!
    In their concern, the family even called in Hal’s father, whom it was strictly forbidden to trouble with cares. Sitting on the porch of their home one sunshiny afternoon, Edward Warner Senior brought up the subject of his son’s unfortunate attitude to life. In his pitiful childish voice he pointed out what a serious thing it was to their business to have the hostility of Peter