The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-07-09

svsry one Of che mob eoannsred away I,
hor roapective habitntiop. Final neRotiA'
tiona In this cesspool Of fifth and dcgrada'
tion resulted In serving two notices TO quit
. full weeks pay from one tenant. solemi
promised and scata from othsrs and a six
pence ha'renny from . blind ecMAle beg.
gar. who sWors, TO strengthen her excuses
that sho had Loss her dog. the latter max
Ing = farewell vicious assault 2 NJ.
Evans hsels in proof Of her misfortun'
and probity.
II was now nearly nosn and ~ were
gradually rsnchina the more open diatricts,
though u aeemed characteristic of all tone.
msnts entered that the same budding and
crowdinR Of humans, tho Same want and
Frqualor. the same Nth and ignorancc. shs
Same eodden indiffercnce to the least OF
LIES dsocneies and the Same universal ad-
distion to the curse of drink. existed - are
true In the wsrst sections Of CheapsidA
Shoredibch. White0hapsl u the 4incries.
Attempts NJ decoration and cleanliness.
whore In exceptional cascs cheap prints
adorned the wallis and the tiny living
rooms were fairly habitable from even
occasional application OF soap and water,
though the meanest necessities of life were
| wanting, were rare; because frowned down
by the vicious majority who seem metsly
to live to drink and drink to live. We
found one place that had been completely
wrecked because the offending family had
dared to put q bit OF cheap muslin over the
window. This n settin' theersol's hup o'er
their n%cighbors 'ad TO be made a hexampls
on" This daily tragedies OF lives with bot
ter aspirations. yet forced by want to this
inoonosivably deadeninR and hopeless assos
nae this day.
In ono abode whore We called for rent,
four naked children lay huddled In n coi-
ner Of the bare room under 4 andfu of
a because the last clothing from their
bodies lac been rawned for drink. Thu
father came home often enough and re-
and snatch some ~utensil, scrap OF clothing
or Bit OF furniture and run away with IL for
drink. "Wat's a body to do with suoh
houtlaws?" groanod the collector. This
place 'Asn't paid the missussa a penny
'orth's rent in a twelvemonth!' AT y rag
fair near l got fos less than q SHILLING, gar
ments enough to oover their nakedness; for
they had devoured in u fortnight; and on
lines OF friendship compelled Mr.. Evans
then AID there. while derominating me
various species Of 'hasses," to receipt a
months advance rem for tho filthy coop,
against that much chance for . family's
mother came cunning home from cleaning
foul cast-of boots in y near Mouldy booth.
she shrisksd over heY good fortune "a
though the Golfers OF the bank OF England
had been poured in her lap; and the neigh
borhood was set awhirl by the mite Of
% though = Aro Or . murder was in
~
A few Gipsy families we're encountered.
Every one paid promptly. Groups Of COS
tors. huddled in genial o~onmunistic fash
ion. invariably badgered NJ. Evans with
Of jolly beatinRs, but finally
paid. leaving him for the time scathlsss and
Whole. Al various places the badinage was
and at no place did We fail to .e-
,eive sarcastic inquiries as to whether we
we're "howdsshus" enough to regard them
Is 'dooks.' 'lud mayors and The like.
Piled with still Whittier requests for tho
oan OF ANYTHING from a ''thrip'snny btu
O q bob" or a "auid." In one house we
a child actually dying in its
ed from consumption. Its notaer. who
old vegetables, had placed an untitled pre-
from the parish doctor in its list
asa hand, as excuse against the collectors
all. l left something else there. but tho
hild WAS too tar gone to even smile in
hanks. And so. on and on through a days,
> me a year'e, indescribabls scen IS of life
olelessnsss and despair, until tho very
lst rlace on the collectors list was
mo trouble ERE" said Mr.. Evans gnily,
9 q skinny hand reached through the
rokeA pane OF q basement window with
No amount due IA was withdrawn the
nstant the receipt was placed within it. l
bought differently; descended the stairs
nd pushed iato tho foul basement room.
Don't, don't 81 - a voice pItifully
"Thsy'rs not always that way,
lrr'
The whole story. such an one as the
aaster, Dickens. Was wont to SO thrillingly
Was instantly revealed. There on the
ank concrete loor lay two hideons OBJ
scts. fnther aud mother. swollen almost
u pie and insensible from d. ink. The
was n dwarf girl with hump back
huge head: skinny. white. horrible.
he bspt this homeless home together by
day and night at ~ckoppine
old barrels ans Loxes for "kindle 81"
citing Leatings instead of feod; even
Gaping the beasts OF parents in drink; and
nth such bravery, eaorihce ard terror, AS
10 OF better tortuues odn nevsr know, I!v-
the hell life dnuntless and true. Bruises .
lashings showed on her head. neck and
rnaa as she looked up sca ed and pleading.
was two half crowns VI Sc. or batter, off
orsthis si.itul sight. She c.utched them
In her hands; then cuddlsd them :
galnst her breast a. n mother mighs o. new
ound child TINT hid been lost; then she
upon hor hatohet and kindlers in a
TRANCE looking heap. and as l 'ejoined MIR.
.vhns-who was still varying his epecies of ,
pjnrgatlonal "hasses." in view Of my
soff' conduct--and we Turned towards tn, +,
waksning city lights. / hearI this bravs
title dwarf setting forth upon a, to her, {
efore unknown Journey with the human !
OF grateful sobs and tears. l
EDGAR L. WAKEMAN. ,
COpyriplt 1892. bv Edvar 7, Walforn,p