The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-09


to the limit and little more. In fact,
he broke six distinct ordinances in
using up the space that ought to have
been left open between the new build
Ing and the old. But that was nothing
to him, for it added six feet to the
double decker, and that meant twelve
additional bedrooms Have care here
Some of the stair treads are broken
Mr. Marsh uttered an ejaculation.
and Gordon stopped.
Il feel ill., l don't believe l can go
on, Gordon. This is terrible. 1t is
past belief that human beings can live
in such conditions"
"They don't all live, sir Some of
them die But it's almost as bad to
die in here as to live. You ought to
see funeral in one of these tene-
ments."
God forbidr' exclaimed Mr.. Marsh
emphatically Honestly. Gordon, it
may seem absurd to you. but / am
growing sick from the awful stencil
here. doubt my ability to go on"
Gordon made no answer. After a
moment Mr.. Marsh said feebly:
"All right I'll 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 WIS Il little girl about
eight years old carrying in her arms a
baby In the dim light which filtered
through the hall al the top of the flight
the two men could hardly make out
this child of the tenements, burdened
long years before the time with hui
man responsibility. robbed of play
ground and childhood and thrust into a
world of suffering and discomfort. Poor
mournful creature, woman in gravity
and a 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 1t
does Child of the tenements, you do
uOL hIOW IL. OuI II 40 q VI WI III
that God has made. There are trees
and flowers aud 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 a doorway opening on corridor
looking out on the airshaft. A railing
ran around this corridor, and leaning
over it were number of persons, most
" 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 intolerable by
the smoke from the chimneys Of the
rear tenements on the adjoining lot,
which drifted into the corridor and
swept into every doorway.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Caylor. How
is the little boy today?"
Poorly, sir. Will you go in and see
him." Then she glanced suspiciously
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
in?'
The woman's face lighted up just
for second, then all died out to that
dull Indifference which has long ago
lost all hope of anything better farther
on.
81 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.
II want you to see specimen Of
dark bedroom, Mr.. Marsh. You don't
need to visit more than one. But it is
worth knowing that there are hun
dreds more like this one"
Mr.. Marsh came across to Gordon's
Gde
'This is more terrible than l 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 todsy?"
'.-sct very we'll. That yoc, sir Cor
DOM
Eyes. I've brought you something.
Here. Catch on, little man."
'tIt's fine" the thin eager voice ex-
claimed. Don't tell mother. She'll
take it away"
''No, no. Louie She won't The doc
tor will let you have it," John Gordon
said reassuringly, and then he was ST.
lent. Mr.. Marsh was close by. and
both men stood still moment.
In the stiffness 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; III show you," Cor
don answered quietl:'. Shut your
eyes, Louis. I'S going to light
match"
He struck the match and held i! up.
The pale light revealed In tie few
seconds that the match burned bro