Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-18

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 were.
He was still standing there. absorbed
In his thought of future possibilities.
when man put his hand on his Shout
der and said Familiarity:
John, do you want good company 4?
I'm with you if you do
"Davidy cried John Gordon in as.
constituent. "How do you happen to
be hcreW
studying life, eh?' said David Bar
ton as he put his arm within his
friends and walked on.
But how does it happen that you
Having weeks vacation. Harris
told me I'd better 20 to Colorado. Been
down here every night"
John Gordon walked on in deepening
astonshment.
Come up to the rooms and let us
have u talk" said Barton, and John
Gordon quietly agreed. They took a
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 n trip to
the Rockies to 20 through the show"
do you mean to say you have never
been down around Hope House be-
forc:"
I've been there several times. my
son"
DO you know Miss AndrcwsY"
Knew her before you We're out of
high school,"
You never told me-"
"Why should | tell you everything ut
once?'
several years is not at once" re
piled John Gordon. with smile.
For answer the older man gravely
said after a pause:
How old are you, John!' &
"Thirty."
"And I'm forty. The pace is killing
me- Harris says may last five years
more. l doubt it. He is evidently anX-
ious to keep me going the i've years.
Do look bad:'
He thrust his pale, nervous face for
ward, and John Gordon was almost
shocked at 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 we'll Why don't
YOU take Harris advice and go out to
Colorado. not for week. but for
year,"
AS bad as that?" David Barton
said dryly. 81 think I'm GOOD for the
five years. But tell me about your
self"
I've left homo, and I'm going to take
up residence in Hope House.
no, What, Live thoret'
David Barton seemed to pay no at
tcntion TO tAe fact OF his friends lcav.
ing home
I've been there tonight and made
definite arrangements with Miss An
drews. / must 20 there in order to 1T
myself for my work."
Your work."
eyes; for the people," replied John
Gordon simply.
Pooh. The people"
David Barton shifted contcmptuously.
"Who knows who the people arc:' lie
stopped suddenly. and his whole man
ncr changed. Ills sharp. abrupt, iuUIi-
ferent alertneSs was smothcred out OF
his face like magic. lie rose and
walked through the room while John
Gordon, who understood his moods
quite well, listened in aStonishment,
John, listen to me l believe |
know something of your plans and am.
billions. You're tho only man know
who would do what YOU propose TO do,
don't have much faith in it. At the
same time believe in you, John. |
spoke coutemptuously OF the people,
lut in my heart John, love the PEG.
Die | am one Of them. Tonight as |
saw children rottinG in those holes | /
ould have died for them But the /
martyrs stuff is not in me to die for |
hem except by proxy Let me tell you, T.
John, you are going at the thing back /.
handed. What do you want TO 20 and .
i've in Hope House for? Miss Andrews .
$ doing splendid work, but even her /
,fIortS don't accomplish anything. Con .
litiOns are as bad there now as they .
we're twelve years ago. It's good flesh .
md blood thrown to the lions while .
he politicians and the gang look on
md laugh at the human helplessncSS. !
Why, ii is simply an outrage on civil
.ation that city like this lets a wom-
IN like Miss Andrews die by martyr
lon in that internal hell on earth and
lever gives her the financial and social
upport she ought to have. And the
POUNDS that own the tencments and
aloons and vaudeville property live in
luxury and pose as leaders in society
nd allow conditions TO be created that
oil stream of desperate human prob
ems over Miss Andrews that will Kill
Ter in few years. Yes, kill herr
David Barton spoke with savage
Mercy that made John Gordon shud-
er. But when Barton had been silent
moment he continued in calmer
H. 80.