Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-13

thing to learn and nothing to contrib
ute. You would have to teach me the
simplest duties of resident, Miss An
drews. at least would be very will
ing and obedient pupil"
II have no doubt OF that" she re-
piled, with a smile. But the people
who act that way are dangerously apt
to be in position to teach their teach
ers in time"
II shall never be able to teach the
teacher in Hope House." said John
Gordon earnestly. Miss Andrews laugh
ed, and the faintest tinge Of color ap-
peared on her cheeks. 1--WE are all
learners here. Let hlni -hc h:s Ice not
learned something today hold up bis
hand. Not hand in sight. Oh. we are
all In the primary class! The people
are the alphabet of God. And we have
not yet learned the alphabet"
The talk gradually circled the table,
while John Gordon continued to tell
Miss Andrews something in detail Of
the interview with his father and sis
ter. After the meal was over the resi-
dents scattered to their work. but half
q dozen with Miss Andrews and John
Gordon fingered a few minutes in the
library and living room, which opened
out of the wide hall, next the old fash
ioned staircase which went up near
the center Of the room. for Hope
House had formerly been an old fam
lily mansion, and 1t stood now In its
solitary refinement of interior In COM
plete contrast to every building in the
dismal district now ruled and ruined
by the human ruins that pleaded day
and night for rebuilding until the souls
Of the residents grew weary with the
burden, and God either grew daily
farther away or closer by, in proper
ton as the workers In the settlement
grew more and more to love the peo-
pie or more and more to lose faith In
their redemption.
When John Gordon finally went
away. he had practically promised to
become a permanent resident of Hope
House. Something Of John Gordon's
family history was known to most Of
the residents, and there was enough Of
the romantic and unusual in such q de-
cislon as his to stir the imagination Of
the earnest young men and women
who had thrown in their lot with Hope
House and what it stood for in the city.
When John Gordon came out from
the archway and turned into the street,
it was after 8 o'clock. He walked.
along for half dozen blocks, trying to
realize what his life work would be
in such q place. Whatever else it
would be, he knew it would be life
that would demand lnexorably all the
manhood possible. AS he stopped and
looked back down the street and re-
allied it's wretchedness. Its discomfort,
it's squalor, Its moral filth, his heart
cried out for strength, his soul felt
compassion and anger and longing.
and his love of, the people. to his in
tense satisfaction. grew in spite Of
what they were and because Of what
they We're.
He was still standing there, absorbed
IN his thought Of future possibilities,
when a man put his hand on his shoul-
der and said Familiarity:
"John, do you want good company?
I'm with you If you do"
"Davidr' cried John Gordon In as
tonishment How do you happen to
be here?
Studying life, eh" said David Bar
ton as be put his arm within his
friends and walked on.
But how does it happen that you
Having a weeks vacation. Harris
told me I'd better 60 to Colorado. Been
down here every night"
John Gordon walked on in deepening
astonishment.
"Come up to the rooms and let US
have a talk" said Barton, and John
Gordon quietly agreed. They took
car and after riding two miles left the
car. walked two blocks and came out
on Park Boulevard, where David Bar
ton, managing editor of the Daily
News. had apartments.
When they were seated, David Bar
ton turned sharp. nervous, but kind
ly face toward John Gordon.
"Surprised to see me down In the
region of Hope House? Great place.
isn't It? Worth more than a trip to
the Rockies to go through the show"
do you mean to say you have never
been down around Hope House be-
fore"
1--WE been there several times. my
SON."
"Do you know Miss Andrews"
Knew her before you We're out of
high school"
"You never told me"
why should tell you everything at
once"
Several years is not at once" re-
plied John Gordon, with smile.
For answer the older man gravely
said after pause:
How old are you. John?"
Thirty.
"And I'm forty. The pace Is killing
me. Harris says ! may last five years
more. doubt it. He is evidently anx-
ious to keep me going the FIVE years.
Do look badT"
He thrust his pale. nervous face for
ward. and John Gordon was almost
shocked ut his friends manner. He
was so much moved that he rose and
went over and laid his hand on the
other mans arm.
David. you're not well. Why don't
you take Harris advice and go out to
Colorado. not for a week. but for
yearY
LAS bad as thatT David Barton