Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01

UNUSUAL situdtlOn. lie talkeu OF eter-
nal life, how it began, what it was
worth. how 1t could be distinguished
from physical life.
The people understood him. Mrs.
Caylor, who had sobbed all through
the singing, was perfectly quiet while
Falmouth talked and afterward, when
he prayed for her and for all mothers
who had lost children.
Then the quartet sang again. When
they ended there was unlnistakable
applause from the roofs The soprano
turned red, the alto looked confused,
the tenor scowled and the bass seemed
uncertain whether to smile or frown.
Gordon came to the rescue by rising
and helping Mrs. Caylor as she took n
last look at the poor figure in the coffin.
She shrieked and flung up her arms
until the undertaken somewhat rough
ly. but. as Gordon knew afterward.
with no real intention Of being so,
thrust the sliding cover Of the coffin
up in its groove. covering the body
from sight. Tommy Randall took one
end Of the coffin, the undertaken took
the other end, and the brief procession
made its way unccremoniously out Of
the room and down to the wagon
which was in waiting on Bowen street
Falmouth went in and spoke few
words of comfort to the mother who
seemed. now that it was all over to
have resigned herself to her usual apa-
thy. When the minister came out. Cor
don and the singers were grouped To-
gcther watching the crowd dispense
from the roofs and back staircases. so
as to get ont OH the street and see tho
coffin loaded into the wagon.
This is horrble-horriblc Let us get
out az soon as possible." the soprano
murmurcd. She was holding a fine
scented handkerchief to her face. The
smoke from the chimneys Of the house
below was drifting in heavy masses
up through the corridor ard into the
rooms of all the apartments that open
ed on it MS the only outlet.
First time I ever heard applause Mt
a funeral" the tenor muttered. speak
ing partly to Gordon. Gordon looked at
the singer quietly and simply said:
How many Of the people ever heard
first class music? Did you ever think
there is more than one kind Of hun
GER"
They all went down the stairway to-
gether, as they had come up. Gordon
as before leading the way. Going down
the alto said: But this is simply awful
How can human beings live in sucl.
places!'
They don't live Gordon said, e3
actly as he had said to Mr.. Marsh "Bc
careful Of that step The stairs are un-
usually clean today. | think Mr.. Ran
, dali is responsible for that. never saw
the corridor SO clean as it was today"
Clean the soprano gaspcd. II shall
never be able to wear this dress again.
This Is the most fearfully awful place
l was ever in"
Gordon did not say anything until
they were all down and out of the
court into Bowen street again Then he
turned to the soprano.
, would you and the rest of the quar-
tet be willing to come down to Hope
House some time this fall and take
part in free concert in the new hall?"
; 'I-I-don't know" the soprano look
? ed donbtfully Mt the other singers
II think I could come" the alto said
little hesitatingly.
. Don't believe could manage
Haven't time" the tenor answered
shortly.
Gordon shut up like a new knife and
, did not say another word until the
party was back at Hope House. When
q they went out to get the car that went
, by at the next block, Falmouth said to
Gordon: Don't get discouraged. But
, oh, my God. what human misery. Cor.
don. you social settlement people nj.
ways have to look at 1t seems to me
the sight would drive you mad after
, awhile. The utter hopclessness OF it is
, enough to kill the heart of a giant"
God Is not dead" Gordon answered.
, He shook hands all around and thanked
i, Falmouth and the singers. feeling lit
, tie ashamed Of his curt silence at the
, tenor's refusal to accept his invitation.
, Falmouth promised TO come down soon
, and take tea at Hope House and parted
with Gordon under the impression that
=, the afternoons experience had brought
them some closer together
How little any one Of us rcckons on
the changes that come into all our plans
by the accidents Of life, and yet how
q many great events owe their greatness
, to apparent trifles that are called acct
dents for want Of a better name.
Gordon had gone up TO see David
a Barton that same evening. Barton had
q greeted him cheerfully and again as
q tonished him by his appearance. They
, had fingered long over their evening
, talk, and Gordon had interested Barton
tremendously in his account Of the
! meeting with Tommy Randall.
4 you scored on him." Barton chuc.
-, killed..
II don't know. He is deep in certain
directions But will know the secret
y of his hold. In fact. l think I have II
! already. He will never best me-" Cor
o don answered firmly, but modestly.
l. They sat on, postponing bedtime until
:, the clocks struck II.
;. Time to put the cough on the shelf.
n Barton said He had not had spell all
q the evening, to GordOn's relief.
!, Gordon went into his room, which
o had windows commanding view OF
:. the lower part Of the city.
He came back instantly and called