The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-22

but progress was SLOW. carts were
going By filed with rubbish. Hope
House itself contained still many vic
TINS whose condition was so precarious
that they could not yet be removed
to the hospitals. The resources Of the
building had been taxed to its extreme
limit. But the outside scene was what
Miss Andrews saw now with some
CLEAN Of promise shining out Of those
letters. Groups of children gathered
over the burned area, poking in the
ashes or among the bricks and Lime
for trifes that were eagerly treasured
as souvenirs Of the tragedy. The whole
dreary, dismal, melancholy wretched
ness Of the scene had not one ray Oh
comfort anywhere, except that which
lay in the two letters in her lap. And
even with that what could be done?
sIf that desert OF ashes could be
transformed into park, Miss An
drews," Gordon suggested They hao
both reached the same conclusion at
the same time.
PARKS and Fairgrounds, the TWO
sweet 'P's' Of my Ife," she said visit
fully, "but it would COST
GLOW much do you suppose Mrs.
Captain George Efingham is worth"
II have no idea, have your
"Not the least. Why not write and
give her a frank account Of the facts?
IF the old lady wants to add some OF
the spicy fragrance Of life to children,
here is her opportunity. Let Ford send
her photographs Of the burned district,
including the swarms Of children like
those out there now, and let us leave
it to her to give what she will"
That is good. VIII you write the
letter."
mo; you write it. She knows you
By reputation. I am nobody to her"
VERY well. I will write the letter.
You and Mr.. Ford secure the photo
graphs"
Gordon and Ford went out that aft
ernoon and secured several photo
graphs taken by newspaper men at
the time Of the fire itself. In two
days the group was made up and, to-
gether with Miss Andrews letter, sent
on to Mrs. Captain George Efingham,
as strong q plea for parks and play
grounds as human language and the
camera ever presented. Gordon read
the letter and maryeled at it. 1t set bis
heart afre. 1t made him long for mil
lions to give, to buy up city deserts anc
transform them into paradise. 1t was
the reading Of this letter that caused
him to wonder with increased amaze
ment at the extraragant and heart
less wickedness Of q luxurious civiliza-
ton that spends more Oh the things It
eats that are unnecessary in one day
than it gives to feed starved childhood
in a year. If Jesus We're here on the
earth again, would he not say to the
rich men and women in the cities:
"Woe unto you, hypocrites! Calling
yourselves, many Of you, by my name,
yet living in needless luxury, pamper-
ing your bodies, seeking pleasure and
ease, while the blood Of little children
spatters the wheels Of your carriages
as you drive haughtily through the
streets! And ye cry: Lord, Lord, have
T not gone to church? Have not paid
the highest pew rent and attended di-
vine service regularly in my own
church and given something annually
to support misslons:' Yea, verify, you
have done tkcse things, but for every
dollar to religion and charitable work
you have spent a hundredfold on your
own self satisfied existence. Verify ye
have received your reward. But the
time is coming when there shall be
weeping and grinding Of teeth, when
you see little ones you have despised
entering into the kingdom Of heaven
and you yourselves shut out and hear
me say: Depart from me. I never
knew you!"
Before the letter to the old lady had
gone it's way to do its errand, while the
settlement workers waited in suspense
for its results, Miss Andrews received
a letter by messenger. She read 1t and
quietly placed it in John Gordon's S
hands. The letter was from Luella-
NY Dear Miss Andrews-I inclose a
check for 81 900, which may be Of use to
you in believing some Of the distress
caused by the recent terrible disaster in
Bowen street. T hope to be able soon to
LIZ iy,fr =
Gordon that my father returned this
morning and Is at his office? With best
'' LUELLA MARSH.
Gordon read the letter through with
out looking up. He knew that Miss
Andrews had heard Of his former reia-
ton to Luella through the sensational
accounts printed by the News.
He handed the letter back, simply
saying:
..The money will be useful just now"
In reality he regarded the gift as con-
science money. Luella was disturbed
over her fathers responsibility for the
whole unnecessary horror She sent a
thousand dollars to ease her feelings.
But would hundred or even million
times a thousand dollars ever bring
back to life the creatures that went
down to death with the tenement?
Would It ever restore to health and joy
the scores of MANNED and broken
wretches that fingered on in torture
and lifelong dependence?
His heart was cold toward this Wom-
I an who had once been dearer than all
the world to him. At the same time
he knew that the sight Of her beautiful
face would appeal to the old feelings.