Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-15
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a HALF mOGR WITH the PEOPLE
WHO APPLY sT0 sTHK CITY roR
THEIR COAL.

Yes, We are supplying coal TO the
poor n half tons now" Superintendent
Blake said. There is a long row of
applicants. Here is package OF appli-
cations from outside. A dozen carts
are kept going as hard as the drivers
can urge them from a. m. to SD. m.
let 1 fear we'll have to put on few
more carts. The holiday season crowds
US pretty hard. Let me see: we'll need,
perhaps, 40 tons; may be 5000. Last
year we had to buy an extra 800 tons.
all on account of the late spring.
In order to keep the applicants for
coal IN some sort OF order and not re-
tard Mr.. Blake's other business, the
Board of Police has assigned the Char
tiles department another policeman
John Woods was yesterday in charge.
Tell your husband to drink less
rum, said Mr.. Blake TO little woman
with a red face: then yos can buy your
own coal. You might drink less your
self. Next"
This Is my savage day, Mrs. Coils
ton, ratified out Mr.. Blake. as a seem
ingly heart broken woman passed in an
application. Come around some other
day. You can afford to wait. If You
can t, why your son, the minister, will
send you around ton"
I'm really sorry for you," he said to
the next applicant, who was a colored
man, but If was to misappropriate
ton of coal my bosses would Jump me
quicker'n lightning. You don't want
me to lose such nice, easy job. do you?
Why don't you woik, Titymus?''
The colored man replied that he had
been laid up with rheumatism, that his
wife had the scarlet fever, and that the
child was down with the measles.
-" Fore God, Mr.. Blake" he added, 'I
want this coal awful bad. / worked on
my employers all could. / struck
the preacher last Sunday night for a
dollar. My friends are all as poor as
myself. won't be able to work for a
couple of weeks more. The coal bin is
low, and the days are gettin' very cold.
You'd better let me have half tom
"Well, we'll see, Titymus," replied
the Superintendent. Something's cot
to be done, sure; but, then; you are such
a joker"
'Yes, Mrs. Mccarthy" cried out Mr..
Blake to gloomy looking little woman
in mourning. "We'll have your coal at
the door before you get home. John,
Just call the telephone over to M.
j Jackson, and tell him to be particular
about Mrs. McCarthy's coal..'
Far down the line big, pompous
woman was elbowing her way up. The
policeman had all he could do to re
strain her. "You need not shake your
head that way at me. Mr.. Blake" the
big woman cried. "You deny nv an
plication Well, that's cool II your
poor old father was here he'd disown
you for that same" Then the woman
that she knew Mr.. Blake's
people in Ireland. and that 'they were
no great shakes, either"
Madam" Mr.. Blake said, "we'll
make inquiries from your references.
If you need coal you'll get it. Wen
send you card by messenger"
Then came n number of men and
women who were orderly and quiet,
and who made their applications in
low tone of voice. No matter what was
said to them, they made no reply. Then
came Hebrew, very poorly dressed.
why don't you ask the Hebrew char
tiles to help you 2" Mr.. Blake inquired
of him.
II was there" said the man. "They
sent me here"
''There is some mistake about that"
the Superintendent answered. did
they give you no note? The Saperin-
tendent always writes me a letter when
ever he sends anyone to me-"
The man said he had no letter. By a
course of cross-examination Mr.. Blake
from him that his people want
ed to be rid of a nuisance. Then Mr..
Blake poured hot shot into him, and
ordered the policemen to put him under
arrest. and he was detained in side
room for ten minutes.
''It's bad case that Hebrew charities
won't provide for" said MIR. Blake.
At 3p.m. Policeman Woods changed
his position in front of Mr.. Blake's
desk to the frolt door on Eleventh
street, and all who came to make ap-
plications after that. except few that
had travelled long distances, were told
to come again.