The Louisiana Democrat., 1890-09-10

Is absolutely worse than the shap. The
conversation between them gives an
idea OF the financial condition of the
family and the rooms in which they are
compelled to live, and incidentally intro
duces some other characters, ending
with the resolution on the part of Ed
wards and his family to go west.
Edwards-Why don't you open the
door?
Mrs. E.-1 can't stand the noise and
smell t'night, my head aches. Some
times it seems IS if I couldn't bear it,
but think O people who don't have as
much as we do, and SO keep a-goin'.
Edwards walking about) That's
about the only way, t be patient It
makes me wild sometimes. (Goes to
lounge and drops heavily upon it, Alice
takes fan from the wall and fans him.
stoops and kisses him.)
Alice-Poor papa-its dreadful to see
you come home so tired. brushes the
hair back from his forehead.)
Edwards (bitterly)-It's just one
eternal grind, not day off. I'm glad I
don't believe in another world-I would
mt be sure O rest after got there.
Mrs. E. (shocked)-Why, Jason, what
are you sayin'? You must've heda hard
day in the shop. It's dretful hot f'r the
first week in June.
Edwards (raising to his elbow)-First
week in June! Why, mother, it's just
thlrty-two years next week since we
was married. U you remember how old
Derry looked that day? Flowers and
berries, and daisies, an birds (rising)-
why, mother, that was Heaven an we
didn't know it! Down here in this cussed
alley we don t know any thing about
June, only it makes our tenements hot
ter and sicklier. / s'pose the COWS up
there arc knee deep in the grass and
the wind smellin' like the front door O.
Heaven. We didn't look f'r this kind O.
thing when we left Derry, did we? We
didn't look forward to tenement?
Mrs. E.-No, Jason-but set up an eat
sumpthin'
Linnie-Poppa, 1 wish we could go up
in the real country this summer-you
know you promised
Alice-Sh, Linnie; papa will do his
best.
Edwards (going to the table)-Tl Wy,
little one, but Pm afraid there amt no
vacation for US. The fight gets harder
every year. Oh, I'm too tired to eat,
Jennie. Well, Allie, how'd y come out
with your recital t'day?
Alice quitting her hand in his)-Very
well, father; only I wished you were
there.
Edwards-I wisht I could, but l can't.
/ got o keep goin. Rent an taxes go
on when l picnic, but wages don't.
(Shoves back fir, m the table and sits de-
jectedly.)
Linnie (startins up)-0 poppa, man
put bill under o r door that said rent
on it. I'll get it. brings it from the
corner, reads it slowly.)
Linnie (reading):
Dear Sir: At the expiration of your Lease
July ], your rent will be increased live dollars
per month. Please notify US if you intend to
remain. JOHN NORCRoSS, Agent.
EdWards-Good God! and my wages
cut down last week. Amt they got no
mercy, these human wolves? Hain't I
got all can stand now? Look at it.!
docking at the walls.) Look at this
tenement! Hotter, rottener, shabbier,
but rent must go up, Jennie! Children!
don't know what am going to do
don't see any way out; can see we're
bein' crushed
Linnie (going to him)-Don't cry,
poppa, don't mind him.
Gas Edwards sits thus with bowed
head, Julian Berg, pale, student-like
German, enters at the door. He is ac-
by full-bearded sinister
looking man, who stands in the door
way, stolidly smoking long pipe. Berg
holds rent bill.
frrr I