Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-25

| r..
emphatically. Honestly. Gordon, it
may seem absurd to you, but l am
growing sick from the awful stencil
here. 1 doubt my ability to go on
Gordon made no answer. After
moment Mr.. Marsh said feebly:
"All right. III try to stand it."
Without any reply John Gordon, still
keeping his hand on his companions
arm, began to go up the stairs Under
their feet they could feel the Shiny
filth that had accumulated for weeks.
Half way up something passed them
going down. 1t was a little girl about
eight years old carrying in her arms n
baby. In the dim light which filtered
through the hall at the top of the flight
the two men could hardly make out
this child of the tenements, burdened
long years before the time with q hui
man responsibility. robbed of play
ground and childhood and thrust into a
world Of suffering and discomfort. Poor
mournful creature, a 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 il
does. Child of the tenements. you do
not know It, but it 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 its glory, o child of the
tenements, In the great city BY the
lakes?
At the top of the stairs John Gordon
paused a moment and then turned to
the left and led his companion along
to doorway opening on a corridor
looking out on the airshaft A railing
ran around this corridor. and leaning
over it were number Of persons. most
ly women. some of them holding ba-
bies, others doing some kind Of work
One woman at the end Of the corridor
was preparing some dish for supper
The stencil that rose from the court
below was made doubly iuto,crable by
the smoke from the chiInneys of the
rear tcnemcnts on the adjoining lot
with drifted into the corridor and
swept into every doorway.
Good afternoon. Mrs. Caylor. How
is the little boy today!'
Poorly, sir. Will you 20 IN and see
him." Then she glanced suspicously
at Mr. Marsh and added: But you
can't do anything for him. Better
leave him be-
This is Mr.. Marsh. Mrs. Caylor He
Is the owner of the building He wants
to see some of the rooms. We can go
IMP
The woman's face lighted up Just
for a second then all died out to that
dull indifference which has long ago
lost all hone of anything better farther
OH.
II don't care she answered with
sullen indifference.
John Gordon at once turned into the
room, and Mr.. Marsh reluctantly fol-
lowed. There were two windows, but
both opened on the corridor. Gordon
walked across to an opening and
turned to beckon to Mr.. Marsh, who
had stopped.
81 want you to see a specimen of a
dark bedroom, Mr., Marsh. You don't
need to visit more than one. But it is
worth knowing that there are hun
drcds more like this one"
Mr.. Marsh came across to Gordon's
side.
This is more terrible than I ever
dreamed" he said in a whisper.
Nothing when you get used to It,
sir. Let's step in. There isn't much to
, see"
They entered the room, which was
absolutely dark except for the light
that entered through the room they
had just left. Gordon felt his way I'M
til his hand touched something, and
then he said gently:
Louie, how are you today|
"Not very well. That you, Mr.. Cor
dom"
Yes. I've brought you something.
Here. Catch on, little man"
Its tine" the thin eager voice ex,
> claimed. Don't tell mother. She'll
take it away"
mo. no, Louie. She won't. The doc
tor will let you have it," John Gordon
said reassurngy, and then he was ST.
lent Mr.. Marsh was close by. and
both men stood still n moment.
In the stiffness a distinct rustling
sound could be heard. 1t was like the
rustling of tissue paper or the scratch
ing of small mice.
whats that?" Mr.. Marsh asked.
"Wait minute; I'll show you" Cor
don answered quietly. shut your
eyes, Louis. I'm going to light q
match"
He struck the match and held it up
The pale light revealed in the few
seconds that the match burned a bro
ken bedstead and ragged, filthy mat
tress on which lay child about ter
years old. The walls of the room haC
once been papered before the double
: decker had been constructed 30 thai
some Of 1t had blocked up the win
dows that had once opened on the real
lot. This paper now hung in festoons
and strings all over the ceiling, anC
, Mr.. Marsh, looking In horror at tn,
. sight, in that brief moment, not too
, brief to tell one whole story of the
! tenement house hell, saw counties.
q | 81