The Argosy — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LO The House of Halliwell. say,’ laying her hand on that lady’s, ‘‘ how came you to let James risk his children’s money ?” “Tf we must tell you the truth, Rebecca, I did not know of it until it was done,” was the reply. ‘Tf there’s a nuisance in the world, it is for women to interfere in business matters,” chimed in the Major. “It’s what they don’t understand, and they get worried and fidgety. I knew my wife would be afraid and say, ‘ Don’t risk it ;’ so I just did it, and told her when it was done.” Aunt Copp paused. ‘‘ James,” she resumed in a very grave tone, ‘if I were to tell you you have committed a sin in doing this you would not believe me.” The Major whistled. ‘‘ Just as much as I believed you when you told me I was going to die.” “What did you do it for?” “To make more money, of course.’ “You had plenty, ; Plenty for comfort, and a nice little fortune for each child after you.” ‘There 1s no law against making money, is there ?” “There is no law that will bring you up to be tried for it by judge and jury ; but I know this, I’d rather be bound to the figure-head of our ship and be sent adrift in her without a helmsman, than I would wickedly risk the little money that belonged to my child. Do you suppose these reckless schemes don’t bring their own pentsbment with them? Of course they do.” “'That’s right,” cried the Major. ‘‘Go on, Becky.” : ‘Suppose the thing fails, this precious fire company, where ss “It’s not going to fail,” interrupted the Major; ‘“‘it’s paying heavy dividends.” | “ Suppose it fails,” persisted Aunt Copp, ‘‘and the money disappears down Davy Jones’s locker, you will have committed a crime against your own children. You will, James Halliwell.” “Rubbish,” answered the Major. “And the children will pass their lives expiating your sin. I tell you, James, it is a sin; some may call it imprudence, but it is nothing less than sin: and they must struggle and fight their way through life, and so expiate it.” ‘““It is time to'go to bed,” said the Major. “Bed can wait. ‘The very fact of your having to conceal the transaction from your wife ought to have proved to you that it was a piece of wrong-doing. When a man takes to deceiving his wife, good-bye to prosperity. Mrs. Halliwell, tell me—had James consulted you about using the money, would you have consented ? ” ‘“No,” was the reply. ‘I should have dreaded the risk.” ‘Nor any other woman in her senses. You talk about women not understanding business, Major; they are a great deal clearer-sighted than men. Now do you know what you must do, James ?” 9 EORNIELIOO KS gee)