The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... man looked about sixty-five years of age and was very shabbily dressed. The elbows of his coat were worn threadbare, the ends of his sleeves and the legs of his trousers were frayed and ragged and his boots were patched, broken, and down at heel. This man's name was Latham; he was a venetian blind maker and repairer. With his son, he was supposed to be "in business" on his own account, but, as most of their work was done "for the trade," that is, for such firms as Rushton and Company, they would be more correctly described as men who did piecework at home. He had been "in business"--as he called it--for about forty years, working, working, always working; and ever since his son became old enough to labor, he had helped his father in the philanthropic task of manufacturing profits for the sweaters who employed them. They had been so busy working for the benefit of others that they had overlooked the fact that they were only earning a bare living for themselves; and now, after forty years' hard labor, the old man was clothed in rags and on the verge of destitution. "Is Rushton there?" he asked. "Yes, I think so," replied Crass, attempting to pass on; but the old man detained him. "He promised to let us know about them blinds for 'The Cave.' We gave 'im a price for 'em about a month ago. In fact, we gave 'im two prices, because he said the first was too high. Five and six a set I asked 'im, take 'em right through the 'ole 'ouse one with another, big and little. Two coats of paint, and new tapes and cords. That wasn't too much, was it?" "No," said Crass, walking on, "that was cheap enough!" "He said it was too much," continued Latham; "said as 'e could get 'em done cheaper! But I say as no one can't do it and make a living." As he walked along, ...