The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-23

Mr., William Blake, superintendent of
outdoor poor works from A. m. until 8
D. m. every week day, and while he talks
he is listening to complaints, appeals,
arguments and inquiries. and his hands
are busy signing papers. making mem-
oranda, handing out bottles of cough mix
ture, putting his name to vouchers, open
ing letters and various other occupations.
BY dnt of doing three or four things at
once when he is most rushed, he manages
to get the average down to about nine
things per minute that he gets through
with all day long
While the reporter sat watching him
and waiting to hear about his observa-
tions upon human nature, the dull brown
latter festooned chain Of misery that
moved its human links along the front of
his desk was suddenly broken by very
charming variation upon its monotony
An exceedingly pretty young woman,
with pouting red lips, sparkling eyes and
rose leaf complexion; a young woman
prettily gloved, wearing rich furs and
costly jewelry, and marvelously hand
some hat-altogether quite patrician-
esque young woman-stopped before Mr..
Blake and said:
I'VE have q tenant; widow with
child, who cannot pay her rent We have
dispossessed her, or at least served her
with notice OF dispossession. but we
can't put her ont because her child is
very sick. SO want you to send an am
bulance and take the child away to some
hospital"
''You want us 10 take the sick and per-
haps dying child away from it's mother,
so that you can throw the mother into
the street and let your room to better
paying tenantr'
"Yes, sir" replied the young woman,
stffly, but with little flush on her
cheeks, as il she was just beginning to real
ize that her attitude might not be admired
by people weak enough to be humane
Mr.. Blake's eyes projected themselves
and he seemed making an effort to swal-
low some words that would not have
sounded prettily After a brief but i'm
pressive silence he answered sternly;
mo, shall do nothing Of the sort. If
the poor mother brings her sick child and
asks us to care for it, we will do the best
we can, but we have no right to do what
you ask. We never interfere between
landlord and tenant
The handsome young woman Redeemed
| angrily, and exclaimed argumentatvely:
"But she can't pay her rentr'
81 have told you that can do nothing
| for you," replied Mr.. Blake, in atone of
| disgust 1--WE do not interfere between
landlord and tenant
The pretty female Shylock gave her
head an indignant toss, flashed a look of
scorn upon the poor wretches surround
| ing her-who were listening and viewing
| her with expressions of loathing and sur
prise-and quickly went out.
A pale, thin, weary looking young wo-
| man, still bearing traces of beauty, came
| up to the desk, and said, with evident
|
my little boy is deaf and dumb, and
paralyzed. can no longer keep him. l
| have come to see IL you will put him in
some institution where he will be warm
and taken care Of"
"Are you widow"
"No, sir. have husband, but he can
4 get little work to do. We are very poor,
and have another child, which is all we
can take care of"
II will send your child to Randall's is
| land, where he will be very well cared for,
If you desire it. When will you be ready
| to have the ambulance take him away?'
She seemed to hesitate, but nerving her
self, replied:
"Any time, SIR"
VERY well, the ambulance will call for
him tomorrow morning."
She turned very pale, her lips quivered,
and her eyes filled with tears as she ex-
claimed impulsively;
'Oh! sir, make it Friday. Let me have
him one more day"
Mr. Blake kindly told her how well her
little afflicted boy would be cared for,
which was the best consolation she could
have had, and when she went away re-
marked to the reporter: There's more
human nature for you. l wonder if that
young Shylock who was in here while
ngo will ever have in her breast u mothers
heart as tender as that of the woman who
Just went out"
The clanking of the human chain that
drags itself before Superintendent Blake's
desk is almost wholly in q minor key.
Now and then, however, there is little
relief to its monotony.
| A young German Istood confidently up,
and in response to the question, asked in
German, "How long have you been In this
country" replied placidly: 81 arrived
yesterday"
My Godl" calculated Blake. "And
| you've found this place already! Well, I've
known of their being pretty soon before,
but he is the freshest thing I've seen yet. "
The recent arrival was sent back to
| Castle Garden. The state board of chari-
ties and our municipal commissioners of
charities and correction have plenty of
business in shipping Off paupers, the
| burden Of whose support properly belongs
| upon other communities and even in other
countries
The Swiss cantons," said DR.. Hoyt,
"opcnly and boldly ship us their paupers,
even claiming right to do so and COM
placcntly invite us 10 reciprocate by send
| we cannot Catch our pnupers going TO