The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-13

I
end of the coffin, the undertaken TOOK
the other end, and the brief procession
made its way unceremonlously out OF
tho room aud down to the wagon
which was I'm waiting on Bowen street
Falmouth went I'm and spoke few
words OF comfort to the mother, VINO
seemed. now that II 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
eether watching the crowd disperse
from the roofs and back staircases' SO
as to get out OH the street and see the
coffin loaded into the wagon.
.This Is hOrrible-horrible! Let US get
out as soon as possiblel' the soprano
murmured. She was holding hne
scented handkerchief TO her face. The
smoke from the chimneys of the house
below was drifting In heavy masses
mn through the corridor and into the
rooms of all the apartments that open
ed on It as the only outlet.
First time I ever heard applause AT
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 music2 Did you ever think
there is more than one kind Of hun
geri"
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 such
/ placpsY
"Thay don't live" Gordon said, ex-
| actlv as he had said to Mr. Marsh. "Bo
/ careful Of tnat step. The stairs are un'
usually clean today. | think Mr.. Ran
dali Is responsible for that | never saw
the corridor so clean as II was today"
"Cleanw the soprano gasped. Il SHAH
never be able to wear this dress again.
This Is the most fearfully awful place
| 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 hallY'
I-I-dOn't know the soprano look. |
ed doubtfully az the other singers
Il think could come" the alto said
a little hesitntingy,
Don't believe could manage. |
Haven't tlme," the tenor answered
shortly.
Gordon shut up like a new knife and
did not say another word until thel
party was back at Hope House. When
they went out to get the ear that went
by at the next block, Falmouth said toI
Gordon Don't get discouraged But
oh. my God. what human misery, Cor.
don, you social settlement people al
ways have TO look at! II seems to me
the sight would drive you mad after
awhile. The utter hopclessness Of IL is
enough To XIII the heart OF giant"
"God Is not dead" Gordon answered
He shook hands all around and thanked
Falmouth and the singers, feeling lit.
lie ashamed Of his curt silence at the
tenors refusal TO accept his invitation.
Falmouth promised TO come down soon
aud take tea az 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, aud yet how
many great events owe their greatness
10 apparent trilles that are called accl
dents for want Of better name.
Gordon had gone up 10 see David
Barton that same evening, Barton had
greeted him cheerfully and again as.
tonished him by his appearance. They
had fingered long over their evening
talk aud Gordon had interested Barton
tremendously in his account of the
meeting with Tommy Randall
"Nou scored on him." Barton clfuc
kled.
II don't know, He Is deep iu certain
directions But viii know the secret
at u.s hold In fact, think have
airoidy. lie will never best me-" Cor
CON answered hrmly, hut modestly
rhcy sat on postponiug bedtime until
the clocks struck H..
"lime TO put the cough ON the shelf"
Barton said, he had uot had q spell ur
ihe evening 90 uordou's relief
Gordon went into his room which
lad windows commanding view or
the lower part ~ the city.
ne came back Instantly and called
to Barton
"toWe tere, Look. Isut that a
tN over near the end OF Bowen street.
Nutv,>'de hstricty
"l;i-m l1u ae" Barton exclaimed
/. Qt.c,lS The Moss street ears win
/, ialr MS ~. mu block Lets 90"
"lm1.d you ought uot To risk
"E.sb nothing, What's a day or two
musr an less. Gomez
, Gordon pat ou his hat. Barton threw
/, o.i a lisht oNercoat though the evening
was NOT cold and they went down as
fast as possible As they PASSED ONT