The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
town in the endeavour to smell out what properties had recently changed hands or been let, in order that he might interview the new owners and secure the order for whatever alterations or repairs might be required. He it was who entered into unholy compacts with numerous charwomen and nurses of the sick, who, in return for a small commission, would let him know when some poor sufferer was passing away, and would recommend Rushton and Company to the bereaved and distracted relatives. By these means often—after first carefully inquiring into the financial position of the stricken family—Misery would contrive to wriggle his unsavoury carcase into the house of sorrow, seeking, even in the chamber of death, to further the interests of Rushton and Company, and to earn his miserable two and a half per cent.
It was to make the attainment of this object possible that Misery slaved and drove and schemed and cheated. It was for this that the workers' wages were cut down to the lowest possible point, and their offspring went ill clad, ill shod, and ill fed, and were driven forth to labour while they were yet children, because their fathers were unable to earn enough to support their homes.
Fifteen years!
Hunter realised now that Rushton had had considerably the best of the bargain. In the first place it will be seen that the latter had bought over one who might have proved a dangerous competitor, and now, after fifteen years, the business that had been so laboriously built up, mainly by Hunter's energy, industry and unscrupulous cunning, belonged to Rushton and Company. Hunter was but an employee, liable to be dismissed like any other workman, the only difference being that he was entitled to a week's instead of an hour's notice, and was but little better off financially than when he started for the firm.
Fifteen years!
Hunter knew now that he had been used, but he also knew that it was too late to turn back. He had not saved enough to make a successful start on his own account even if he had felt mentally and physically capable of beginning all over again, and if Rushton were to discharge him now he was too old to get a job as a journeyman. Further in his zeal for Rushton and Company, and his anxiety to earn his commission, he had often done things that had roused the animosity of rival firms
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