The Project Gutenberg eBook of Other Worlds, by Lena Jane Fry This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: Other Worlds A story concerning the wealth earned by American citizens and showing how it can be secured to them instead of to the trusts Author: Lena Jane Fry Release Date: January 09, 2021 [eBook #64241] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OTHER WORLDS *** LENA JANE FRY. OTHER WORLDS A Story Concerning the Wealth Earned by American Citizens and Showing How It Can Be Secured to Them Instead of to the Trusts By LENA JANE FRY CHICAGO: LENA JANE FRY, Publisher 1905 Copyright 1905 BY LENA JANE FRY Chicago, Ill. 156 THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO THREE OF AMERICA’S BEST DAUGHTERS, NENA N., BERTHA J., AND KATHLEEN E. FRY. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. CHAPTER XII. CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTER XV. CHAPTER XVI. CHAPTER XVII. CHAPTER XVIII. CHAPTER XIX. CHAPTER XX. CHAPTER XXI. CHAPTER XXII. CHAPTER XXIII. CHAPTER XXIV. CHAPTER XXV. CHAPTER XXVI. CHAPTER XXVII. THE WEALTH PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING SOCIETY. THE PLANET VENUS. SECOND STORY. WE ARE GOING TO BE INSPECTED. INTRODUCTION. In introducing myself to my readers I believe I can do no better than to insert the following clipping, taken from a recent newspaper; for I am answering the cry that is going out to those who are able to work out the problem, of finding employment for willing hands to do: “THE RIGHT TO WORK.” Is there such a thing as the “right to work?” If so, why isn’t it enforced on behalf of the great army of unemployed? It does seem that there should be something for every willing pair of hands in this great country to do. We have unbounded, unmeasured natural resources. We have billions of idle wealth. Ought we not to have wisdom enough to bring the idle wealth and natural opportunities and the idle hands together? Think of the suffering women and children who are cold and hungry because the husband and father cannot find work for his willing hands. Think of this, you well-to-do, you statesman; yes, and you workingman. Here is a black, horrid blemish on the Christian civilization of the Twentieth Century. To wipe it out is a work far grander in the possibilities of its results than to construct wonderful subways, build libraries and monuments or to perform any of the wonderful things of which we boast. And, bear this in mind, if every man will do his duty by his fellow man, the time will come when the piteous cry, “I cannot find work,” will be heard no more in this fair land. You will see, as you read this book, that I believe—as do many others—that there are other worlds that are inhabited, as well as this; but that is not the point after all. This is a story taken from every day life as it is. Many events will be recognized, though no real characters have been given. If my ideas are carried out, it means freedom to the oppressed. It means wealth for all industrious people, in fact, the society I picture in these pages will be able to confer not only wealth but honors upon all deserving members. All thinking people know that we are in the midst of the most awful crisis that this world has ever known; that the Trusts have us hemmed in on all sides, that we seem to be helpless. I say “seem to be,” for we are not helpless, only stunned by the immense power which money has enabled the Trusts to use against us in taxing our necessities. I have written this book believing I could give some practical ideas that will help to win the battle that is going against us as a people. The Trusts are not our enemies in reality; they are only the whips that have been used to draw us into line and show us how to manage our affairs as a Nation instead of in the individual way, with its wasteful competition. In all the ages past, when nations were menaced, a leader came to their aid; but in this age we need many leaders along many lines to take hold, for all people have been guilty of a crime that few even know was a crime. It was money that gave the Trusts their power over us, and it was money that has been the root of evil in all the ages. It is hard to know when it was established as the world’s idol, but as an Idol it rules the virtuous as well as the depraved. “Thou shalt have none other gods before Me,” the Lord of Heaven has said. Down with the money Idol, or destruction shall fall on your head, we say as we look around and see the consequences of its power. It rules our lives, and is it necessary after all? is the subject upon which I have written. I believe in justice to all, and I have written this book because I have something to say in it that will help to bring prosperity for all. I have done my best, and, if I have not done the best that can be done, my only wish is that others will take up the ideas I have given here, until all humanity can clasp hands and say: Thank the good power of united action that has shown us how to secure homes and our necessities independent of the money powers. May all who read it, choose evolution and safety and not wait for war and its attending calamities that the money rulers are bringing, is my greatest wish. 5 6 7 8 HOW I HAPPENED TO WRITE “OTHER WORLDS.” ’Twas evening. I was sitting in my parlor alone in the home, not a soul was near. A strike was in full blast and had been for a year. Lives had been lost and mourners would weep As funerals passed slowly down the street. Watching at the window as a procession passed, Mentally I asked the question: how long O God! how long shall this thing last? Is the Idol of the Nation—aye, the Idol of the earth— That thing, that is called money;—oh—is it of greater worth Than the creatures thou hast created? Not knowing I had uttered a prayer, in the fullness of my heart I sat in the gloaming, and in time it became quite dark. I was resting—sitting passive—not even trying to think, When an angel stood before me! Perhaps ’twas—a dream; who knows? Who can tell when a dream commences or when we doze, Or when imagination creates a thing; if practical, why need we care? To me it was a vision and the angel was most fair, As she pointed to the stars in the heavens, shining there: “They too, are worlds,” she whispered, “struggling to the light, Gaining wisdom by experience and power by their might. Go write and tell the world about them and how they won: When powers and principalities seemed greater than the sun. This monster called ‘money,’ that all love so well; Has opened wide the very floodgates of hell, Until you have a toiling, struggling mass called humanity. Go, now, write the story; I bid you make haste For your homes are menaced! Your country will be laid waste By the Trusts who weave webs, as a spider to catch flies; The Nation may be throttled until it dies.” CHAPTER I. n a country place near a town called Lake View, on the planet Herschel, lived a family of the name of Vivian. They were known all over the country for their hospitality, wealth and their beautiful daughters. For generations the name Vivian had been associated with brave deeds, honest lives and intellect. The girls were even known as “those very clever Vivian girls.” Mira, the youngest of the four girls, just sixteen as this story opens, was a bright, winsome girl, tall and graceful, with large hazel eyes, a pink and white complexion, and an abundance of golden hair. On a bright autumn afternoon Mira was on the lawn watching the birds and listening to their clatter as they collected in large numbers to take their yearly journey to a warmer climate. “How wise they are,” she pondered; “though so small, they know more than the people do. Away they go to another part of the world. I wish I could go with them. I am so weary of always staying in one place.” She gazed after them as they took their onward flight, and her mother, who had been watching her from the window, seemed to catch the thought, for she said aloud: “I am afraid, like the birds, she will soon be leaving me alone.” “Why, mother,” said a young man, approaching her; “you are actually talking to yourself. I thought Helen or Mira was with you. I want one of them to go on the lake with me.” “Tom, look at Mira,” the mother exclaimed. “She is quite grown up. I have never realized it till now. But before you call either of the girls, I want to talk to you about the society you young people have been organizing. The ideas are strange to me. When I was young, married women didn’t take positions. Is it possible that you cannot support your wife?” “Why, of course I could,” the young man replied; “but when you were young you had no Trusts to absorb your income as we have in this generation. Nellie and I are dedicating ourselves to this undertaking. We intend to work together to free ourselves and all who join us from their tyranny.” “It is quite an undertaking,” his mother replied. “I don’t see how you are going to succeed without capital. It takes so much money now to start anything to what it did when your father was young, and he inherited the property.” “The world hasn’t shrunk,” Tom replied, “since father’s time. The only difficulty is in our knowing how to meet the situation in a new way. The industry of the masses in every way, is how wealth has been collected, and the people are as willing to work now as they ever have been. But here is Mira.” “Will you take a row with me, Mira?” he asks as she approaches them. “I will tell you all about the society, mother, when we come back. I want to rest my brain for a while out on the water. You don’t mind, do you, mother?” he inquired. “Oh, no,” she replied; “there is time enough before you return to the city.” Mrs. Vivian, her eldest son Geron and his family, besides Mira, lived on the Vivian estate. The rest of the family had gone to the city to live, after their father died; as their wealth had decreased it was necessary. Tom was a lawyer; Libra had married a banker, and Scoris and Helen had employment. The next day the rest of the family arrived at the old homestead, for it was the mother’s birthday. The family dinner had been a success, and they had all assembled in the old-fashioned drawingroom for the evening. Old friends had been invited to meet the city members of the family, especially Tom, who at that time was making a change in the industrial life not well understood by his friends or some members of the family. The gentlemen in the party had grouped around Tom to hear about it, for it had been a surprise to them that he had set aside his profession to take up this new line of work, for he had been a successful lawyer for so young a man. In another corner of the room some of the ladies were discussing the fashions, while still another group had centered around Nellie, Tom’s bride. The room was long and this evening the music room doors had been thrown open on one side and the library opening into it also by large doors afforded an opportunity for each group to converse without interrupting the other. Mira had not been noticed when she and Jack Moberly (an old acquaintance) had passed out on the lawn. He had something to tell her, he whispered. He was going away nearly two thousand miles. An old uncle had offered him a position superior to anything he could ever expect if he stayed in Lake View. He wanted Mira to marry him and go, too. “I cannot leave you,” he said; and she in her inexperience thought she couldn’t live without him. They knew her mother would never give her consent, for she had been heard to say that if a child of hers married under age she would break the marriage. No one had objected to Jack, but none had suspected the true state of affairs between him and Mira. She was so young. They joined the rest of the family after a time and the evening passed, all having enjoyed the music and the singing, as well as the renewing of old friendships. No one imagined that this birthday would be a day to be remembered as the turning point in more lives than one among them, but it was. Libra, the eldest daughter, and her husband had returned to the city. Scoris and Helen, as well as Tom and Nellie, remained for a few days longer. The next morning Tom announced that he was going to take Nellie across the lake, and possibly they would go on farther and see some old friends, so would not be back until evening. The morning was bright and the water was as clear as crystal as they passed out from the small lake through the narrows into the larger body of water, then on to one of the small islands to the wonderful cave Tom had discovered when a boy. They had fastened the boat, climbed the steep hill and walked about half a mile through thickly grown shrubs, trees and brush, and over rocks; still no 9 10 11 12 13 cave was in sight. Nellie looked at Tom inquiringly. She could see a high rock on one side with shrubs growing on its side in places, but no sign of an opening except almost at the top, but that was fully ten feet high. Pushing aside the brush with one hand and holding the overhanging limb of a large tree with the other, Tom said: “Now you follow me and I will show you my old hiding place.” They went down a narrow passage rather steep in places, but by hanging onto the roots of an old grape vine managed to keep their footing until they landed on solid rock. They walked a few feet, when, before them Nellie saw an opening about two and a half feet wide. Beyond she could see a large chamber, lighted by the opening she had seen on the outside. Part of the floor was flat and on one side of the wall it was broken, as if it had been cut out for use at some time, for it formed a seat and a table, or rather a shelf large enough to hold the basket of provisions they had brought. Several boxes were lying about, showing that it had been used at some time before. Tom selected a box for Nellie, seated himself on the rock, then exclaimed: “This is the place; what do you think of it?” “Think!” she exclaimed; “I haven’t got beyond wondering yet. And it was here you thought out all the plans for the society?” “Yes,” he answered; “after I had lived in the city and seen all the miseries the poor have to endure— the injustices.” “No, no, dear, don’t say it,” she interrupts him. “This is our resting time, and in such a place we are not going to spoil our holiday by even thinking of unpleasant things today. So you came here to be quiet and plan for the future?” “Yes, the most important rules were written on that table of stone.” “What a lovely memory so many of you have who were born and raised in the country,” she continued. “How little the city people know about its resources. Why, this cave would answer for a summer home. I wish it was earlier in the season. We could bring in branches of trees and cover them with pine needles for a bed, some bedding, rugs, etc., and what more could we wish for as a quiet place to rest in?” “Your enthusiasm would make up for deficiencies,” Tom answered. “While you arrange our lunch I will go to a spring for water, so we can make tea. Do you see the stove over there under that opening where the light comes from?” “I see a pile of stones,” she answered. “Oh, you poor, ignorant city girl,” he laughed, “not to recognize the camper’s most useful kitchen utensil.” While her husband was gone for water, Nellie looked around the cave, feeling the calmness of this God- made Temple. Only the twitter of birds, and the rustle of falling leaves could be heard. She arranged the table for their lunch, then waited till he came. Tom made the tea after he had boiled the water over the twigs he had gathered and burned in the stone stove. After lunch they strolled on through the woods, gathering flowers, while Tom showed her all the beauties of the place. Evening came before they realized it and as they ascended the hill on their return home after securing the boat, when out from the shadow of the trees they saw a calf tied to a tree. “Oh, Tom!” Nellie exclaimed, “look at that poor, helpless creature. It cannot even lie down. Who tied it like that?” “No one,” he replied. “Don’t you see it has wound itself up by twisting the rope about the tree as it ran around it.” “Such a look of resignation,” Nellie said. “It reminds me of the people in the cities. They, too, are tied by the rope that the trusts and custom have wound them up with. “They suffer and die without knowing how easy it is to—go back—just like—the calf. Oh!” she cried; “it will run over me. I didn’t know the rope was so long.” “Look out, or he will kick you before I can get hold of the rope. I had to drive him back the way he came, and I forgot that you didn’t know the ways of calves,” Tom said hurriedly, as he ran to secure it. She had moved far enough away to feel safe before she continued in the same train of thought. “It has trampled its food down as it ran around its shelter, besides amusing itself. Again that is like the majority of city people. The infants play with rattle boxes, but the grown children with politics and money. A shelter and food are gambled for until the age limit confronts them.” “There you are, old fellow,” Tom exclaims, not noticing Nellie’s reverie as he unties the rope. “Now, Nellie, you go on to the house, and tell them I am coming as hungry as a bear. I’ll give him a drink before he does the same thing over again.” Nellie started and was crossing the orchard when she saw a number of cows eating apples that had fallen on the ground. She thought of little children in the city who rarely tasted an apple and could be seen looking longingly at the street stands. The abundance of fruit everywhere on this large estate of several hundred acres was amazing to her, as she compared the need of these things in the cities. “Oh, what an unnecessary waste,” she thought. “It would have seemed incredible if I had been told it. Here are cows feeding upon the rarest varieties.” “Well,” exclaimed Mira, laughingly, as she appeared around the corner of an outbuilding, “are you trying to cheat the cows? We have been keeping dinner until I expect it is spoiled, waiting for you. Mother became uneasy and sent me to hurry you up.” 14 15 16 17 As Tom overtook them he laughed also at seeing the fruit in Nellie’s arms. After dinner he took her to the cellar and showed her the great bins of apples without a flaw that were stored for winter, besides all the vegetables and all kinds of fruit; then they went to the parlor, where the rest of the family had assembled. A low fire burned in the grate to make the room cheerful as it had turned chilly. Scoris, the eldest unmarried sister, was trying to interest Geron’s wife in the society, but in spite of her own enthusiasm, Grace did not seem to respond. Just at this time Scoris found it hard to talk on any other subject for any length of time, it seemed so all-important to her. Helen, the other sister, and Nellie exchanged glances, both realizing that there was a prejudice against the society in the home circle they had not expected. Scoris, with Tom, had been the means of starting the society, which had grown so fast that Tom had finally sold out his law partnership so that he could devote his whole time to it. In the city almost every one responded that they had been able to reach, and here were their own relatives absolutely indifferent. Several times during the evening Nellie would ask questions about the abundance of things that were thrown away or given to the animals. Geron finally explained that all those things were of less value to them than the labor would amount to. “We live so far away from the cities that it doesn’t pay to ship them. Tom’s idea is the best, evidently, for he intends to bring the people to the farms where they can secure all the surplus. You will have your hands full, I can promise you. If I wasn’t so far away I would advise you to take my place; farming don’t pay any too well.” Tom answered: “You must remember I am not starting a farm, merely using the land to provide the necessities at first hand. The object of the society is to secure homes for its members, then food at first cost, while it aims to give them employment as nearly as possible according to their talents and the society’s needs. We take the farms to build our town because it has to be started under new conditions, for we must compete with the old money system for many years.” 18 CHAPTER II. “Tom,” Geron said, after arising and moving around aimlessly, “you are going to waste your time. The trusts are too strong for any one man to undertake to down them.” Tom, who had been sitting with his chair tipped back, reached out to the table to balance himself before he answered, then he stood up, stretching out his arms and yawning, said, “I am not trying to down them. You remember the story of the lion and the mouse, don’t you, Geron?” “Yes.” “Well, for the sake of the case at point, I will liken the masses to the lion; I will merely pose as the mouse, as it nibbled the cord that let the lion go free.” Just then Mrs. Vivian, who had been looking after the comfort of the room by poking at the fire in the grate, asked: “What lion are you talking about, Tom?” This caused all the family to roar with laughter. “He is trying to convince Geron that he is as harmless as a mouse,” Scoris replied. The two men left the room laughing, Geron saying that he was going out to smoke. Then Scoris explained it to her mother: “Geron thought that Tom was trying to break the trusts, and Tom took that way of explanation, for he is merely showing the people how to live independently of the trusts.” “Tom promised to explain to me what you are all doing in the society, but he has not had time yet,” the mother said. “I wish you would tell me something about it. Geron says it will fail, he knows it will.” “Well, it will not,” Nellie answered, her eyes flashing, as she changed her seat to get nearer to Mrs. Vivian, “Tom never fails.” “No,” Scoris exclaimed, she also resenting Geron’s idea; “and if he did, some one else would take it up! The people are ready now to free themselves from the trusts. They have only been waiting for a leader, and Tom is that man.” Nellie had arisen and was standing by Scoris. Helen raised her head, for she had been absorbed in a new poem, and Nellie’s voice had actually sounded sharp. Geron’s wife looked apologetic. She stood up, then sat down, not knowing exactly what was expected of her, for it looked for a second as if there was going to be a family dispute. Mrs. Vivian looked distressed until Scoris laughingly asked: “How much do you know about it, mother?” “Not much,” she answered; “only Geron says that each member pays only one dollar per year for membership, and that no society could be kept up on such a cheap basis; that Tom intends to build immense hotels and factories, and he can’t see where the money is coming from to do it all.” “Mother, dear,” Scoris answered, “you only know a very small part of it. The fee is small so as to reach the very poorest class. They can start as members on twenty-five cents per week, after the membership fee is paid, ’tis true, but it is not their money that we value, but their labor. They can become members by their labor alone. The poorest member must secure one share each year, which only amounts to twelve dollars. We have two hundred such members, but we have one hundred that are securing twelve shares yearly, besides two hundred more that are ranging from twenty shares each year to many thousands, invested already. Considering that the society is only one year old that is encouraging. The society also owns a number of automobiles that we have been using instead of cars. I am sure that don’t look like failure. We employ a large number of men to manufacture bricks, and what is more, they did it by hand labor, the old-fashioned way, using horses to turn the machinery. The men were those that had been crowded out of employment by the age limit. Two men, seeing the advantages of the society, advertised for such men, explained the advantages of the society to them, then secured the clay land suitable for bricks. The results are that there is enough to start the first apartment house in the spring. They have also made artificial stone to beautify the buildings. Another man has been burning lime stone on his own place. These are the principal building materials and they are either found already or will be by some member, for all are contributing either their labor or money to secure the success of the society. Mother, dear, you cannot imagine how many poor souls were glad to get the work to do, especially when they knew they were not expected to work more than six hours each day and that they were provided with shelter and food besides being able to save for the future. Some who had always been accustomed to digging and hard work will dig the foundations in the spring. Now this is the strange thing about it. The men who gave them the work did not have to pay them one dollar in money. They were only too glad to secure a permanent home for at least this winter. Every one of them has scrip and shares in the society as a result of their summer’s work.” “Well, that is a good thing for poor men, but how did the society get the benefit of those two men’s labor who superintended the work, as well as using their capital in paying the rent for the brick-clay land, buying horses, and feeding them as well as the men?” her mother asked. “The society bought the bricks from them, exchanging farm produce, and shares as well as scrip, in payment for two-thirds of their value. The balance was paid in money; don’t you see?” “Where did the society get the money?” “Why, it was taken out of the permanent shares. I forgot to tell you that we issue two kinds of shares. The ones of which all members have to secure at least one each year are the permanent ones. They are paid to the society in money or labor, and the money representing them can only be used for buildings or any kind of permanent wealth. These same men are going to set the workmen to putting up roughly made buildings on the farm we have secured, to store ice in for the summer, as well as a house for 19 20 21 22 themselves to live in. They are not particular where they live, poor fellows, so long as it is a shelter and that their food is sure, as well as clothing. These two men I mentioned have secured materials from the wrecking companies in the city, for the buildings will be only temporary ones, boarded inside and out, and filled in between with sawdust.” While listening to Nellie’s account Mrs. Vivian had been anxious when Scoris began, but gradually relaxed as the explanation advanced. “How very simple after all,” she remarked. “It is like a broken stitch in a stocking. Stitch by stitch we draw the thread in and out until it is whole again!” But she started up, exclaiming, “Who is going to redeem the scrip?” “Tom is,” Nellie answered. “At present he has charge of all produce, and the different members are providing for all kind of exchanges.” “Well, girls,” their mother said, “don’t think me stupid for not understanding all about it, but how is Tom to derive an income from what he sells to the members and redeem the scrip besides?” Scoris and Nellie exchanged glances to see which would explain. Scoris motioned to Nellie to proceed, feeling that she knew more about it. “Our immediate income,” Nellie answered, “is from what Tom sells to the members, and we have five hundred members besides their families that consume food. Tom has been buying it from the farmers at wholesale and selling at retail. It has been enough to keep us so far, and we take charge of the first farm next week, so then we will be able to buy to better advantage and have no rent to pay besides, for the society provides that by the $1.00 membership fee. You see we have over five hundred members, and they represent that amount. You know Tom sold out his law partnership. Well, he has used the money to buy with. Besides vegetables and fruit, we have charge of the milk which he sells to the dealers, who allow the members a percentage on all they buy. The members bought our scrip, then Tom used the money to secure the milk; he then redeems the scrip as payment for the milk consumed.” “Well, I hope it will be a success,” Mrs. Vivian declared, with a sigh. “Why, it has already,” both the girls exclaimed together. “No one had ever imagined that it would succeed so soon. We all hoped it would in a few years, but it is growing so fast that it is taking nearly all of Tom’s time just to manage it. That is how I happened to become his secretary,” Nellie said. During the conversation some young people had called, and Mira had shown them into the library until her mother and sisters had finished their talk, then joined the rest. Jack Mobray was there and it was hard to remember afterwards how he and Mira could have had a chance to talk over their arrangements to leave the old home as they afterwards did, but when the young are in love they find a way. In a few days the two girls had returned to the city. Tom and Nellie to the farm that the society had secured to start the colony, and, as the mother had predicted, Mira left her also a few days afterwards, although she had never thought of her child marrying so young, nor did she suspect the attachment between them. She did think that Mira might wish to go to the city. The whole family had become restless as they grew up; even Geron had hinted that he was tired of living all his life on the estate. Tom and Nellie were settled in the farm house, for though it was in the fall of the year they had decided to take up their residence then so as to get ready for the spring building. Materials were being collected so as to cause no delay. The past year Tom had gone in different directions from the city looking the country over before this place had been selected. In this way it gave him an opportunity of locating just the kind of land needed for the many uses that would be required of it. A large lake was on one side with clear, cool water, an abundance of large trees on its edge, sufficient to make a pleasant place for a summer resort and yet not interfere with the farm. This lake was not very far from the farm buildings and was not on the road but partly on the next farm adjoining, with sufficient, however, on the society’s property to enable them to control or have the use of it. They had not intended to take up the land in the fall, but Tom had seen the advisability of securing it while it was in the market. The owner had died suddenly, leaving it to his widow, and she being anxious to go to the next town to her children who were married, it was arranged that the rent would not begin until the following spring. The house was not large or of much account, but it answered the purpose, and the land had been obtained cheaper on that account. It was the land and fruit that had first attracted Tom’s attention after he had proved the nature of the soil. He had secured a lease for ninety-nine years with the privilege of buying the whole of it at any time at a set price, of erecting any kind of buildings that the society might deem proper, the said buildings to belong to the society exclusively. They enjoyed their new home, these two enterprising people, because they liked to know that they were making a start for many hundreds, if not thousands, of others to live happily and contentedly in years to come. There, however, I will leave them for the present and go back to the beginning of the society before Tom’s marriage. 23 24 25 CHAPTER III. The society met at first in the Vivian parlors, that is, in Tom’s flat, where Scoris and Helen, his sisters, assisted in entertaining their friends as well as helping to form the society. On the evenings of the society the rugs were taken up and all the furniture excepting one table and the chairs were stored in a smaller room. This was done to save expense, for it was not a money scheme, remember, and “infants creep before they walk.” In the same way the society wished to know how to keep on its feet when it got there. The new ways of earning a living were talked over at the meetings held in the Vivian parlors. “Automobiles are one of the first necessities in this society,” a Mr. Suegran declared one evening, and it caused such a roar of laughter that it was some time before he was allowed to explain his meaning. No one had taken him seriously, and when they saw that he was in earnest, they tried to hide their lack of interest by taking up a less important subject; and he, feeling rather crushed, let the matter drop. The next evening he called on the Vivians. Helen was the only one in. He said that he wished to see Mr. Vivian and would wait till he came in if he wouldn’t be intruding. Helen assured him that he was welcome and in a few moments the conversation turned to the usual topic, “The Colony.” “You know, Miss Helen,” he said, “I want to talk to your brother about the subject I mentioned last evening, I am sure that I am right, automobiles are the greatest necessity the society has at the present time!” “What about capital?” Helen asked. “Automobiles cost more than our society could afford at the present time.” “That is where I don’t agree with you,” he replied, “the society has men who work in automobile factories. They are willing to give a certain amount of their time evenings and on holidays to make one to start with, and we have a young man who has invented a new model that he is willing to have us use.” As he said this Tom came in and Mr. Suegran repeated the advantages he had told Helen about, then asked Tom if the society could supply the money to buy materials? Tom told him no, that according to the rules that had been made to protect the members’ wealth, the shares could only be invested in buildings, land, or anything that would yield an income, or in the implements of labor or in its products. “I can tell you what to do, though,” Tom continued. “You bring these facts before the meeting and I will see that you have a hearing. In the meantime go to any of the members that you think will help you out, tell them that I sent you; then you can form a company among you, each paying for shares representing the amount required, but remember the price of all materials, labor, and everything concerning the transaction must be kept on record. If you are successful, then the society will buy it from you and in all probability will start the men in business who gave their time. I have no right to risk any wealth intrusted in my keeping by the members, but they may risk any money they have to spare over and above what the society exacts, and you may promise them 10 per cent for the risk and we will pay you that amount on your time as well as your labor, and you know we pay union wages.” At the next meeting the subject of transportation was taken up and the members were shown the advantages to themselves in owning a system of traveling that would not necessitate the laying of tracks or limit them to any one street. Mr. Suegran then proposed his automobile scheme and asked the members to buy shares. In a few weeks the amount was vouched for. Mr. Suegran was required to give security as well as to keep an account of every item of expense. This was done not only to test the honesty of the men who were manufacturing the machine, but to protect the management against any unjust suspicion. There was another reason also and it was an important one. It was taxation. The society expected to pay all just taxes, but had no intention of paying for inflated stock. The officer in charge of that meeting explained to the members that the society was formed to protect its members’ wealth in every possible way and that in doing so it was necessary to guard the small items. “We all realize the importance of homes, and the most of you know that to secure them is not the whole difficulty overcome. We must have a way of getting to them. Automobiles solve that difficulty, especially when we own them. Then they can be used as soon as they are ready right here in the city to take the members to and from their employment. The society might as well have the benefit of fares and by providing our own conveyances the members may use the society’s scrip to pay them. For, remember, the more scrip the society can issue the sooner it can secure employment for its members. The automobiles once established as means of transportation will bring about the settlement on the land of those who would otherwise stay in the city for several years to come. As we cannot lease any land to build upon until we have enough members to represent the amount of rent that we will have to pay each year, we may as well devote ourselves to securing our transportation first.” The members who risked their money to perfect the first automobile were given a good percentage, and they either loaned it again for the same purpose or withdrew it for some other enterprise. These undertakings paid a large profit, but were not secured by the society and only those who could afford to risk losing in case of failure were allowed to invest. No money was lost, however, and the members who were natural speculators found in it an opening to increase their money faster than in shares, “for,” they argued, “we can buy extra shares with the interest so obtained.” At all times the value of numbers had to be kept in view, because every member added to the society increased its market. The society by its numbers secured a market for anything its members had to sell. The first automobile, being a success, was bought by the society, as were others made later, and when the land was secured a factory was built upon it to manufacture them as well as implements of labor. In this way the society gained control of the industry and kept the wealth so produced in trust for its members. After the factory was built on the land controlled by the society, the society took charge of it and paid the workmen the same price as the union paid for the same work. The advantage gained by 26 27 28 29 living in the Colony decreased their expenses to such a degree that it was equal to double the amount of money in the city. Of course all had to agree to accept scrip or shares in payment for labor, but scrip bought everything, even money, so was just as good and safer. The president was appointed for five years with this proviso: That he proved himself capable of directing the affairs of the Colony in a satisfactory manner to at least three-fourths of the members; that he had the ability to manage so as to ensure the returns from the money or labor invested that the society guaranteed to its members; that he was working for the advantage of the largest number instead of a privileged few; that he was keeping all revenue on record as well as expenditure, so that the members could at any time have the accounts audited; that his security was increased as the wealth of the Colony advanced, so that he could not endanger the members’ shares as so many people have done; that when the temptation became too strong (from the members’ indifference or overconfidence) he could not if he would “feather his own nest” by neglecting the members’ interests. Tom Vivian made these rules, not to protect the members against himself, but all members in all societies that were formed later. He saw the temptations that inexperienced members left in his hands, and he knew that riches harden the majority of people’s minds, so he intended to protect them in every possible way that he could think of. A president had to be an honorable member of society, and not addicted to any habits that would bring disgrace upon said society. He had to be honest and truthful in his dealings. He had to live in the Colony that he was overseeing and give his undivided attention to its interests (except in its beginning when he had to provide for his living as well), attending to the society’s business transactions, etc. The president had to be free from all burdens that would interfere with his giving his whole attention to the society except as stated in the first year or two, or as long as it took him to place it on a paying basis. The president being organizer as well as manager of the society was allowed a percentage of shares instead of a salary. The members realizing that he had devoted several years of his time and energy to the cause, presented them to him when the first farm was secured. He, realizing that he had to be self- sustaining at first when he took up his duties on the farm, purchased enough cows to supply the members with milk and butter. He also bought poultry (particularly hens), as milk and eggs were always in demand, they helped to secure him an income. He was also given the benefit of all the garden truck he produced the first two years, the members being allowed 10 per cent on anything they bought from the society. He also received a percentage on each member that was enrolled on the day the society was organized. This percentage was one dollar per member, but was not paid in coin but was allowed him on the purchase of permanent shares. In paying for labor on his personal account he could sell these shares, excepting the amount the society compelled him as well as all other members to keep in the society. He could issue scrip with the consent of the members to the amount of his personal wealth or security. The third year the society was able to buy out both the hennery and dairy, for they were in a position then to give him a percentage of all its business transactions. Several farms had to be secured at this time for pasture lands, and a separate place for the hennery. The president secured a large number of shares by the transaction, but he could not exact money. His shares secured him a suite of rooms in an apartment house, then the percentage he received on all the business he managed for the society secured him a better income. 30 31 Mary Smith, the only support of the family. CHAPTER IV. There is a direct law of attraction that very few people recognize. In the beginning of the society, if Tom Vivian had been told that he would marry soon, he would have scorned the idea. “I am devoted to the cause of the people,” he would have told you, “and I have no time to devote to love affairs,” and yet he was the first to succumb. Nellie Gaylord was a friend of Scoris Vivian, and when the society was started she took an active interest in it. It was soon seen that Tom Vivian referred oftener to Nellie’s opinion than he did to others in cases of importance, until he believed that she was necessary to the success of the society. That he was in love no one doubted, and it was a satisfaction to many members when they were able to say: “Didn’t I tell you so? Oh, you can’t fool me.” Nellie’s life had been a sad one in some respects before she became identified with the society, then everything changed for the better. She had some one to love, honor, yes, almost worship, in Tom Vivian. I am going back in her life, though, to the time when she was earning her living before she was married. She had been a stenographer and when her eyesight troubled her she found that she would have to take employment in something that would require less application. At this time she was in a factory where she was head forewoman over a large number of girls, all running power sewing machines, making ladies’ underwear. Her duty was to inspect the work and see that no one wasted time. She sometimes regretted that she had to work among a class who never seemed to think of anything beyond pay-day or “their fellows,” as they expressed it. The idea of bettering their condition never seemed to enter their mind unless it was perhaps some day to marry a rich man like some other girl they had heard of. To marry one day was fully expected, but pay-day generally outweighed all other considerations. Today, however, she was thinking of herself as this was her twentieth birthday and it brought up the sad memories of a time when her mother used to remember it by some little gift, or her father would arrange to take her to some amusement in honor of the occasion. Now both had gone from her and she was among a lot of girls to whom she thought she couldn’t possibly talk of the things that interested her most. She looked up presently and saw two girls holding out a silk waist for the admiration of their friends. “I am thirty-six bust measure and will try it on if you like,” she said, as they were looking at her after asking who was that measurement. “Oh, what a pretty waist; whose is it?” she asked. Their mother’s birthday present, they told her, which would be next day and the mother would never suspect they had walked to and from work every day for two months to save car fare, and had done without fruit or cake for their lunch, just to be able to make it their own present. “For you see we give her all we earn and it is all we three have to live upon, and she makes it spin out someway by earning a little, sewing when she can get it to do, but she does our sewing and washing and takes care of the home, so this is something she will prize, and we are so glad we could get it in time,” they explained. “Well, girls, you are lucky to have a mother, and your mother is to be congratulated for having two such self-denying daughters. I lost my mother just two years ago and this is my birthday.” One of the girls took her hand and held it lovingly, while both remarked how nice she looked in the waist and hoped their mother would look as well. This little incident, born of sympathy, the touch of the hand, the kindness to the mother, spoke volumes to Nellie, and she and the sisters became friends. She had felt alone when she first came into the factory. When one spends long, weary hours with people who have different ideas, life is more lonely than if one were in a solitary place. She had been considered reserved, or “proud,” as some had called her, but her quiet, firm manner had been her main recommendation to the head of the firm. She acquired a great liking for many of the girls, however, as their little difficulties came under her notice. Their hardships with poverty, although never called by that name, were borne so bravely. The insults they endured from girls employed in offices or stores on their way home at night, the sneers and the drawing of their clothes aside for the fear of coming in contact was enough to make them feel inferior, even though they were not. To Nellie this was abominable, for labor is labor, in the banking house, store or factory, in the home, or anywhere, and should be respected. One day a little cash girl had been hurt by a street car. The newspapers told how this little child of eleven years was the only member of a family of four who was earning anything, and all she got was two dollars a week; how she lived two miles from her work and had to walk each way, then run from eight in the morning until six at night. When one evening while returning home the accident occurred. It was pitiful to hear her cry after her ankle had been attended to, for the pain was not the worst part of her trouble. Oh! if she should lose her employment, what would they do at home? she cried. Baby Bob couldn’t have his milk. Why, they couldn’t have any food at all. Her anxiety about the money touched the girls’ sympathy who were taking her home. They had carried her to the car and were trying to comfort her. The girls found an old frame building that had been abandoned as unsafe, propped up to keep it from falling. There were no lights and voices were heard asking what had happened. They got her to bed, still in the dark, and no one offered to help. Through sobs that shook the whole building, the mother explained that she couldn’t move because of rheumatism. The father was also too weak to do anything and the baby cried because Mary and his mother were crying. The girls went home for their mother and a light and when they returned saw the most pitiful sight they had ever seen. Four helpless people, and not enough food in the house to satisfy the hunger of one. The Healey girls did not forget little Mary Smith, the cash girl, but said nothing at the time in the 32 33 34 35