"
"Well?" said Mr. Wygant.
Then Samuel told yet again how he had been led into evil ways, and how
he had been converted by Dr. Vince. He told the story in detail, so
that the other might comprehend his fervor. Then he told of the
converts he had made, and how at last he had encountered Charlie
Swift. "And this man would not come into the church," he wound up,
"because of the wicked people who are in it."
The other had been listening with perplexed interest. "Who are these
people?" he asked.
"Yourself for one," said Samuel.
Mr. Wygant started. "Myself!" he exclaimed. "What have I done?"
"For one thing," replied Samuel, "you work little children in your
mill, and you named the State senator to beat the child-labor bill.
And for another, you make speeches and pose as a political reformer,
while you are paying money to Slattery, so that he will give you
franchises."
There was a silence, while Mr. Wygant got back his breath. "Young
man," he cried at last, "this is a most incredible piece of
impertinence!"
And suddenly the boy started toward him, stretching out his arms. "Mr.
Wygant!" he cried. "You are going to be angry with me! But I beg you
not to harden your heart! I have come here for your own good! I came
because I couldn't bear to know that such things are done by a member
of St. Matthew's Church!"
For a moment or two Mr. Wygant sat staring.
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