The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-01-23
Copyright, 1901, by Charles NJ. Sheldon

bitterness. "The landlordsI The city
ordinance makes 1t obligatory on the
landlords TO furnish and keep in good
repair garbage boxes sufficient IN size
TO accommodate the number of fami-
lies In their tenements."
Mr.. Marsh looked at the box in front
OF his own double decker and said
nothing.
1t was a rotten apology for what had
once been small box. 1t had only
three sides and no cover. II was filled
to overlooking. and browning the heap
Of stencil was dead chicken swarming
with maggots. 1t was fair sample Of
every other box I'm Bowen street, and
I'm its loathsome and naked uncleanness
IL stood there in the blaze of the pitlless
sun a dumb but CHASTITY and over
whelmlng witness against the cultured
Indifference Of the men who are not
willing to be their brothers keepers so
long as they can live luxuriously on
their brothers needs at n distance from
all suffering and responsibility.
They went into the narrow court that
separated the rear from the front OF
the building. and John Gordon pointed
out the deadly nature of the construc-
ton.
There is no direct sunlight in any Of
these rooms that open on the court.
All light and air must enter either
where We did or come In from the
topg'
He uttered the word In time to pre-
vent Mr.. Marsh from stumbling over a
projection In the shape OF raised plat
form built out from the side wall,
shortening the distance between the
main walls Of the court. The use OF
the platform was, as he afterward
learned, TO furnish a little additional
room for hanging out clothes, which
were suspended above the platform on
a series Of racks.
The floor OF the court or passageway
between the two wings OF the dumb
bell' was slippery with filth Of every
description. In the semidarkness which
prevailed in spite Of the suns glare
outside could be seen pale, tired wo-
men with sallow, dirty faces, peering
out from doorway and window. The
heat was sitting, as not breath blew
in at either end Of the passage, and the
odor was overpowering.
Mfr. Marsh hesltated.
Il don't know that care to go in,"
he said almost In tone of fear.
TOO late to back out now, Mr.. |
Marsh. Comet II will do you good. |
Make you more contented with your
home on the bou.svard," John Gordon |
said grimly.
He greeted the group Of women in |
the doorway. and they returned his |
greeting civilly enough. for he was
wearing his regular inspectors badge, |
besides all that he had already in the
course Of his brief study made friends
in the block.
Almost the first step they took from
the doorway plunged them into dark
ness. Gordon had hold OF Mr.. Marsh's |
arm and was silent until they came to
the first flight OF stairs at the end OF |
the passage.
Have to be a little careful here,
sir" be cautioned. This is an old
part, Joining your part from the rear.
II was on the lot when your agent
looked over the space, and he built up
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 1t 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. | don't believe 1 can 60
on. Gordon. This is terrible. Ii 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 forbidT exclaimed Mr.. Marsh
emphatlcally. Honestly, Gordon, It
may seem absurd to you, but am
growing sick from the awful stencil
here. l doubt my ability to go on"
Gordon made no answer. After i
moment Mr.. Marsh said feebly: =
"All right I'll try to stand It,"
I