Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-19

in and no one paid the slightest at
tention to our movements.
The Hindoo seemed as lifeless as the
children. The sanitary convenienoes
and the kitchen were one. We entered
and cautiously advanced step by step
zig-zaS fashion in our efforts 10 es-
cape pollution. We reached the center
OF the enclosure. The Hindoo loked on
silently. The whole concern seemed
cazed. We, ourselves were daZed.
Stupor was creeping upon us. Death
seemed to be encircling the Baroda
kitchen and all it contained, first mer-
ciculy benumbing the senses as the
surgeon administers an anaesthetic be-
fore he performs the operation.
Suddenly there was a stir Two men
bearing II can of milk appeared in
front OF the Baroda tent. The children
became animated. The Hindoo re-
vived. He came over TO where we
were standing and informed us that
milk was to be given to the feeber
| children. We followed him to the en-
| trance and watched it's distribution.
AS soon as some of the tin cups were
| filled the children scrambled for them
| There was not enough for more than u
| fourth of the number. and the more
vigorous ones got what there was. The
| feebler ones went without it.
Some of them were too weak to rise.
| They cried inaudibly, but their grief
| was more pitiful than If it had sought
noisy expression. Perhaps punishment
awaited every demonstration on their
part. and hence they dared not COM
plain. God only knows. We protest
ed against the totally inadequate sup
| ply of milk and lack of proper man.
agement. The Hndoo explained that
more milk would be served In the even
ing. Eight long hoursi And then, per-
hans. only as much more. How could
these hungry ones survive?
We asked the Hindoo how many OF
ed ignorance. but volunteered the in
formation that their bodies were burn
ed.
We crossed the square that led to The
gate but before we reached 1t we were
surrounded by groups of starving peo
, pie piteously pleading for few pict
: with which to purchase grain. Tear:
actually trickled down the cheeks o
many of the supplicants as they helt
, up to our gaze their emaciated, shrivcl
ed little ones in peculiar demonstration
OF their deplorable condition. Mother
swayed TO and fro moaning out unin
telligible petitions.
8 Children Frustrated themselves to tn
t ground chattering in a strange tongu
and with frightful rapidity of utter
, ance the story of their woes as thoug
: anxious to tell all before we made on
a escape. "Oh, my King!" cried they, II
will be very we'll with you If you wi
help us. for we are very. very hungry.
And driven 10 despair at the tnouSn
: that their appeal perhaps lacked elo
4 oucnce or earnestness. they slappe
: their hollow stomachs and persuasivel
y added, I'm starving; if you will hel
d me God will give you many children.
: My heart almost sank within me.
e Why should l have been called
It witness all this suffering? Why nc
h some wealthy man: who with strok
of the pen could fill these empt
stomachs and yet never miss the COS
II I took one of the children in my arm
a The mother said 1t was ten years
age. 1t could not have weighed MOI
IS than thirty pounds. 1t was skeleto
H. absolutely denuded of flesh. The lars
l. glistening eyes were fixed on mine. {
3 though eager to catch the promise
8. help: and yet could not give any. f
&c l remembered my experience at Il
h. gate. A rupee given at this momel
ID might mean death, for these poop
le were desperate. They were beyor
10 reasoning; their own sufferings or
es their chiidren's woes had driven the
~ nearly mad. II help was to be given
he had to DO given generally. and tho 90
% had with Yae would not havo sati