Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-24

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to the limit and little more. In fact
he broke six distinct ordinances II
using up the space that ought to hav'
been left open between the new build
Ing and the old. But that was nothing
to him, for 1t added six feet to tn,
double decker, and that meant twelv,
additional bedrooms. Have care here
Some of the stair treads are broken"
Mr.. Marsh uttered an ejaculation
and Gordon stopped.
81 feel Ill. l don't believe I can g
on, Gordon. This Is terrible. It II
past belief that human beings can live
In such conditions"
"They don't all live, sir. Some Of
them die. But it's almost as bad tc
die In here as to live. You ought t.
see a funeral In one Of these tene
ments."
"God forbidT exclaimed Mr.. Marsh
emphatically. Honestly, Gordon, II
may seem absurd to you. but l am
growing sick from the awful stencil
here. l doubt my ability to 60 on"
Gordon made no answer. After q
moment Mr.. Marsh said feebly:
"All right I'll try to stand It."
Without any reply John Gordon, still
keeping his hand on his companions
arm. began to 60 up the stairs. Under
their feet they could feel the slimy
filth that had accumulated for weeks.
Half way up something passed them
going down. 1t was little girl about
eight years old carrying in her arms a
baby. In the dim light which filtered
through the hall at the top Of the fight
the two men could hardly make out
this child Of the tenements. burdened
long years before the time with hu-
man responsibility. robbed Of play
ground and childhood and thrust into q
world Of suffering and discomfort. Poor
mournful creature, woman In gravity
and child In years. bending your
dirty face over the gasping little sister
in your slim arms. sitting on the steps
late into the night with the bundle that
may actually die in your arms, and no
one but yourself feel much grief If It
does. Child of the tenements, you do
not know it, but 1t Is beautiful world
that God has made. There are trees
and flowers and clear water and per-
fumed zephyrs and grass dotted with
bloom. But oh. for you, little sister,
who shall reveal Its beauty, who shall
discover to you It's glory. o child Of the
In the great city by the
lakes?
At the top of the stairs John Gordon
paused q moment and then turned to
The left and led his companion along
to doorway opening on corridor
looking out on the airshaft. A railing
ran around this corridor. and leaning
over It were number Of persons. most
y women. some Of them holding ba.
Dies. others doing some kind Of work.
One woman at the end of the corridor
was preparing some dish for supper.
rhe stencil that rose from the court
,elOw was made doubly intolerable by
he smoke from the chimneys Of the
eur tenements OH the adjoining lot,
which drifted into the corridor and
wept into every doorway.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Caylor. How
8 the little boy today?"
Poorly. sir. Will you go in and see
lim?" Then she glanced suspiciously
t Mr.. Marsh and added: But you
ant do anything for him. Better
cave him be-"
"This Is Mr.. Marsh, Mrs. Caylor. He
) the owner Of the building. He wants
O see some of the rooms. We can 60
n"
The woman's face lighted up just
or a second. then all died out to that
lull Indifference which has long ago
ost all hope Of anything better farther
n.
Il don't care" she answered with
ullen Indifference.
John Gordon at once turned into the |
DOM, and Mr.. Marsh reluctantly fol-
owed. There were two windows. but
9th opened on the corridor. Gordon |
7alked across to an opening and
urned to beckon to Mr.. Marsh. who |
ad stopped.
II want you to see specimen Of a
ark bedroom, Mr.. Marsh. You don't
eed to visit more than one. But it Is
7orth knowing that there are hun
reds more like this one"
MIR. Marsh came across to Gordon's
Ide.
This Is more terrible than l ever
reamed." he said In whisper.
Nothing when you get used to 1t,
r.. Let's step In. There isn't much to
ee."
They entered the room, which was
bsolutely dark except for the light
nat entered through the room they
ad just left. Gordon felt his way un-
i his hand touched something, and
len he said gently:
Louie, how are you todayT
mot very well. That you, Mr.. Cor
on"
"Yes. I've brought you something.
.ere. Catch on, little man."
Its fne!" the thin eager voice ex-
aimed. Don't tell mother. She'll
Ike 1t away"
"No, no, Louie. She won't. The doc
r will let you have It," John Gordon
i'd reassuringly. and then he was 81
mt. Mr.. Marsh was close by. and
9TH men stood still moment
In the stiffness q distinct rustling
,und could be heard. 1t was like the
lstling Of tissue paper or the scratch.