The Coal War by Upton Sinclair

ought to be brought to the attention of the executive officers of the General Fuel Company, who would correct the evils. And so at once came controversy; “Joe Smith”, ex-miner’s “buddy”, revealed his notion that the heads of the General Fuel Company, gentlemen with whom Mr. Arthur did business every day, knew about these conditions, and deliberately maintained them! Such a notion revealed a disordered state in a young man’s mind-it revealed that he had been listening to agitators!
    And what was the young man’s program—what did he expect to do about the wrongs he described? When the young man started to explain, his future father-in-law was unable to hear more than three sentences. Why, that was Socialism! And did not the young man realize that Socialists wanted to divide things up and start over again? Could not he see that if this were done, it would be only a short time before the capable men would have everything again? Socialists wanted to have everything owned and run by the state; and could not anyone see that that must lead to the building up of a political machine, worse than any ever known before?
    Hal was so indiscreet as to attempt to point out to Mr. Arthur that these two ideas about Socialism were diametrically opposed, and so at least one of them must be incorrect; but at this the old gentleman became still more irritated; he made clear that his ideas were his ideas, and were to be treated respectfully, like his roosters. The old gentleman’s face was round, and his eyes were round, and his two fists were round; he had a way of lifting both fists and pounding down with them to impress his arguments upon you. It was as if he were working a heavy churn, and at each thump would come a bounce in the big leather chair!
    Hal was quite willing to be reduced to silence; but having definitely come out as an enemy of the system of things on which Robert Arthur’s banking-business was built, he could not plausibly change his views at short notice. He realized, however, that the old gentleman desired exactly that; he was resolved either to reform this deluded young man, or else to make clear to him that he could not expect to be received into the Arthur family!
    Before matters had got that far, however, Jessie came in; having been hovering outside the library in terror, ever since the discussion began. She put her arms around her father, and wet his white side-whiskers with her tears, ending the argument by sheer force of emotion. The old gentleman had never denied her anything in her life-time, so he could hardly let luncheon get cold while he debated Socialism with her lover. And after luncheon, she played the piano for him, and laughed and chatted all the time. Hal did his part—but it was like playing the piano and chatting on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius!

[15]
    From this adventure Hal went for a call upon Adelaide Wyatt and the revolutionary parlor-maid. Already the miracle he had foretold had happened to Mary Burke. She had taken her mistress’s hints, with a result that her fingernails were clean, her treasure of auburn hair shone dazzlingly under a white lace cap; she was the very picture of a parlor-maid! Her clean, straight figure had filled out in this new home, and her cheeks had again that vivid Irish color which had struck Hal when he had first encountered her, a rose in a mining-camp, taking in the family wash!
    Mary was watching things about her, he could see. Yet she was sensible about it, free from self-consciousness; she would learn what a lady might have to teach, but without losing her head, or forgetting her people at home. Her steady grey eyes met Hal’s with the old frankness. Apparently it was not an impossible thing for one to be a servant with dignity.
    Mary was happy; for the first time since Hal had known her the burden of care was lifted from her life. Her brother and sister were living with Mrs. David, who was good to them;