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

IL belore JONI boruou
! ~ AS raised his head.
~-- These names
"You found them. OF course | in
tended you should. I am sorry for
you" Miss Andrews spoke sadly.
Sorry for me. Sorry for them, Miss
Andrews. | am not altogether sur
prised to find my fathers name here,
but Mr.. Marsh
lie was silent a moment.
"Mr. Marsh?' Miss Andrews asked,
and John Gordon. who had been Won
dcring if he could tell Miss Andrews
anything about Luclla, realized that
| she was in total ignorance of Luella
and her father.
"Nr. Marsh is senior member of the
| firm Of Marsh, Lyon d Humber, cleo
tricians. lie is an old friend of my
father. I have known him since | was
a boy and always respected him. 1t
was IA great surprise to me to find his
name here"
"Why should it be-" Miss Andrews
questioned calmly. business in many
of its regular methods is not noted for
a refined and loving expression of the
Golden Rule. Most of the names in that
list are names of men who fare sump-
tuously every day and are counted
among the best citizens"
i've made up my mind what to do"
John Gordon said irrclevantly. Il am
going to see my father, and
And what"
Il won't promise until I have seen
him. But you know better than | do
that the city ordinances are violated
dozen times in the Waterside district.
The oVerCroWding, the plumbing, the
absence of lighting are all in direct vio-
lation of every ordinance on the sub
jcct. Scores of the tenants complained
that their landlords refused to do any
thing"
Miss Andrews said nothing, but she
eyed John Gordon with her customary
calmncss. 1t was the calmness of one
who has been through the entire hell
of political apathy and municipal in
competency and criminal neglect and
still preserves its equanlnity.
Let ME know the result of your in
terview, please" she finally said as
John Gordon lapsed into silent brood
ing.
He went into the business city next
day and entered the bank of which
Rufus Gordon was president with
feeling that he strOve to subdue and
the prayer that he might not he pro
voked into saying some things that
burned in his heart. At the same time
I, IN, fn
ence he began to doubt his ability to
discuss the facts calmly.
Mr. Rufus Gordon showed no sur
prise at the sight of his son, although
the two had not met since that event.
full day when John Gordon had taken
somewhat formal leave of his home
"Will you take Il seat" Rufus Cor
don spoke with the cold polteness he
might have shown any man who had
in all probability come to negotiate for
a loan.
John Gordon remained standing and
came at once to the point of his err
rand.
"Father, we have decided each to go
his own way, but that does not mean
that we are never to have anything
more to do with each other, does itY'
when you are tired of your present
foolishness, you can come back" There
was the faintest suggestion in Rufus
Gordons manner Of relcuting in his
tone and attitude The lips trembled
slightly, and the eyes rested for just
an instant on the sons face before
coming back to the apparently indiffer-
ent gaze that had been directed at the
table.
Il have not come to talk OF that,
father. 1t is impossible for me to
change my purpose. What have come
to see you about is this You control
some tenant property in Waterside dis
trict, Bowen street, two blocks south
of Hope House. DO you know from
personal knowledge the condition of
that property:'
Instantly over Rufus Gordon's face
swept an angry wave of color.
ut is none of your business! This Is
part of your contemplate meddling as
II rcformer in other peoples affairs"
but it is my business. 1t is the
business of every man. Father. do
you know the horrible condition of that
property and the awful condition of
the people living thereT'
Rufus Gordon made no answer, but
the anger was evidently deepening in
him. John Gordon waited moment
All his accumulated passion growing
out Of what he had seen and heard dur
Ing that one short week in Hope House
Tn, IA nf n ii a a
against his own father. But when he
spoke It was with an earnestness that
revealed his attempt at sell mastery,
"Nos. II and 10, owned by you
father, contain seventeen families
They are, as | suppose you know, from