But all the same, when the Democrats got in, his nibs came round and
made his terms with Slattery, the new boss; and they get along so well
it'll be his money that will put them in again next year."
"But WHY?" cried Samuel dazed.
"For one thing," said Charlie, "because he's got to have his man in
the State legislature, to beat the child-labor bill."
"The child-labor bill!"
"Surely. You knew he was fighting it, didn't you? They wanted to
prevent children under fourteen from working in the cotton mills.
Wygant sent Jack Pemberton up to the Capital for nothing at all but to
beat that law." Samuel sat with his hands clenched tightly. Before him
there had come the vision of little Sophie Stedman with her wan and
haggard face! "But why does he want the children in his mill?" he
cried.
"Why?" echoed Charlie. "Good God! Because he can pay them less and
work them harder. Did you suppose he wanted them there for their
health?"
There was a long pause. The boy was wrestling with the most terrible
specter that had yet laid hold upon him. "I don't believe he knows
it!" he whispered half to himself. "I don't believe it!"
"Who?" asked the other.
"Dr. Vince!" said the boy. And he rose suddenly to his feet. "I will
go and see him about it," he said.
"Go and see him!" echoed Charlie.
"Yes. He will tell me!"
Charlie was gazing at him with a broad grin.
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