g past midnight. They looked
into the cotton-mill connected with the Rochdale experiment; they read
up the workings of those at Oldham and Lancashire, of the industries in
France, and banking in Germany.

"Here we are," said Jack, "with so much of our lives spent in learning
to manage looms and turn out different kinds of cloth. People must wear
clothes until the millennium, and cloth will be made. It seems to me
that it must be a good thing to identify the workmen, and get their real
interest. We should avoid strikes on the one hand, the continual
disputes about wages, and be much less at the mercy of all outside
influence. The men will understand thoroughly that industry, economy,
thrift, and perseverance is good for each individually; that he is using
these qualities not only for the master, but for himself. There will be
better work, and more of it."

Hurd seemed to be taking the measure of Darcy through this speech. Now
he said,--

"Darcy, any man who knows enough to head such a business as Hope Mills,
knows enough to carve out a fortune for himself; and my opinion is that
he would be a fool to let the chance slip."

"A man may have the knowledge, but not the requisite capital," was the
patient answer. "Then he might think"--

"Well, you've a sight of faith, that's all! Your men will go on with the
tramp of soldiers in good times; and when the pinch comes, then look
out! If they were educated, reasonable, sensible; but you and I both
know the mass are not. It will do better in the old countries, for there
children expect to follow in the footsteps of their parents; but here,
where every boy looks upon himself as a possible president, it cannot be
done. It has been tried, and has failed. It will again."

"Then you will not join?"

"I don't say that, Darcy. I can't very well get away from Yerbury: if I
could, the Lord knows I'd go. But there--it is just as bad everywhere
else. Don't be too sanguine though: you young chaps build air-castles
easily."

Bradley wrung his hand warmly at parting. "I want to look into this
thing a little more closely," he said. "I believe you have struck the
keynote. Whatever raises the workman raises the whole world. If you get
him to be self-supporting, there is one less pauper or tramp for the
State to take in charge, and tax all other workingmen for his support."

"I rather like the scheme of the co-operative store," Hurd began
presently. "There's a sight of money somehow bet