The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-13

I
over all smaller objects. lie was not
able to realize the slow steps with
which such men as Mr.. Marsh have to
/ be coaxed and terrified and even
driven toward little philanthropy.
John Gordon was beginning TO have
the same absence of feeling for indif-
ference toward social needs that a per-
fectly sound physical nature has to-
/ ward n confirmed dyspeptic or hypo-
chondriac. The logic of the situation
around Hope House was so absolutely
thought out to John Gordon's mind
that any slow, cautious, hesitating
steps toward a conclusion seemed like
cold blooded pharisaism.
"I'll do something. of course; I'll do
something" Mr. Marsh said apollo
getically.
'Ishen? whatT
81 suppose
Gordon interrupted. not with excite
ment. but calmly:
This is your life opportunity, Mr..
Marsh. Tell me frankly, If you were
to donate to Hope House outright the
property where No. 81 stood for park
purposes would II seriously cripple
your businessI"
mo. / don't think it would cripple
me-"
Then, will you give us that much?"
Gordon asked boldly and almost blunt
ly. But he was not in any mood to
wait or coax.
'Do you know how much that prop
erty is worth?'
"No."
1T cost me $4,000 to buy the lots
and put up the tenement" Mr.. Marsh
said imperiously.
John Gordon was silent
$50 that you practically ask me to
donate So, 900 to Hope House"
minus the insurance on No. o."
said John Gordon quietly.
1T was INSPIRED for sG0.000." Mr..
Marsh said, while his face grew a lit
tie red.
Gordon made no remark. and Mr..
Marsh fidgeted i'm his chair and drum
med with his fingers on the edge of the
table.
"Why would 1t not be better to put
up a model tenement on the lots?"
"a park would do more good"
"But the people who were burned
OUT
They must be cared for. that is
true. The interest excited by the ca
lamity may lead to the tearing down
of other areas and the building of good
tenements. But park the size of the
whole burned area would be of more
value to Hope House than even such
model tenement as you might put up
in place of No. o."
There was silence again. Mr.. Marsh
got up and went into the bank. He
was gone several minutes. Gordon
| never moved. When Marsh came back.
he brought some papers.
"I'll have the property made over to
Hope House." he said briefly.
THANK you" Gordon answered sim
ply. and again there was q silence.
Il want to make some atonement."
Marsh spoke slowly. do you think
this will be so regardedT
.'Yes; Il will be a great help to u.s."
a | Gordon rose, and Marsh held out his
hand.
III have the business attended to
at once, and-and-I'll be down to Hope
House some timeth week"
Thank you. We shall be glad to
: see you" Gordon spoke gravely, and
after shaking hands he went out. As
he went down the stairs he had n mo-
: mentary tinge of remorse at the thought
of having done Marsh some injustice
; or of having accepted the git of the
property churlishly and in an ungra
= :ious spirit.
II Ip,,+a ha haa Il 60, he ~
the fire he said to himself: "Is ii case
for effusive thanks that this rich man
! takes a fraction of the wealth that be-
r longs to God and reluctantly lets hu-
manity get some pleasure out of iti
He broke n dozen distinct ordinances
:. relating to tenement house construc
ton when he ordered No. 81 built. He
e put up deathtrap and received money
b for its use. He cowardly absented
himself from n knowledge of the hu
: man misery that his building housed
+ and when disaster fell directly trace
n able to his criminal greed he ran away
, from the horrors for which his owl
hand was responsible. Was II, there
fore. in order that he. John Gordon
and Hope House and the public shoult
fall down at the feet of this man will
| enusive and extravagant praise fol
| atoning in small degree for n tire
/ mendous wrong?
! Yet that is what the public, through
j press and pulpit, did when 1t wa.
! known what Mr.. Marsh had done. Hi
act was lauded as "a most noble ex
hibition of philanthropy" "a splendi'
| example to Others fine gift outrigh
\ to Hope House-Mr. Philo H. Marsl
donates $4,000 worth of valuabl
1 property" Mr.. Marsh's minister men
4 toned the gift from the pulpit ant
took occasion to use the incident 4
j illustrate the growing habit on the par
4 of rich men TO give sums of money 70
! philanthropic causes. At what tim
had that pulpit ever spoken out agains
4 the lawless greed which characterize
Il this philanthropist when he allowe
4 his business methods to sink TO tn
i level of barter i'm flesh and blood be
cause other men did the same and tn
4 breaking of ordinances was counted
v trivial thing simply because everybod
| did 1t? Is it not time that the pulp
| said something in condemnation G
wicked and un-Christian ways of NAL
ing money before IL says much NOR
j in praise of those who give what the
have never rightly earned? A philaI
thropist Is not one who gives money
humanity that lie has obtained b
wronginG humanity. Such a man
- simply highwayman giving upap
l nF Lao, al. hx. la. g,.;.