News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-05-06

er the idea of mental indecision, not
borne out by his political career.
''What can l do for your" he said
suddenly. Gordon was not prepared
for it. The tone was suddenly hard.
brisk, businesslike.
"a good deal, Mr. Mayor, if you
will"
"That's the usual statement, Mr..
Gordon. That's what they all say. Of
course you've come to get something.
They all do" The mayor spoke with a
tone of resignation that struck Gordon
as unusually impersonaL.
eyes, sir; did come to get some
thing, and I have no apologies to offer
for it, because it is something that any
good citizen ought to get and that is
Justice"
"Be specific. Justice is not delivered
here in wholesale lots"
'Is it delivered at all?" Gordon burst
out. The mayor coolly eyed him,
"That depends. State your GRAND,
young man. Others are waiting"
do you know Tommy RandallY
The mayor raised his eyebrows.
81 know part of him. Nobody
knows all of Tommy"
''He is one of the biggest rascals in
this city"
''This is not news" The mayor looked
resigned.
Eyes, Mr.. Mayor; 1t is news to this
administration. What is this man,
Tommy Randall? He is not an officer
of the city, he is not authorized to take
part in its affairs, yet he Dictates
"Be specific. Others are waiting.
State your errand, young man." The
words came hard, incisive, like the bit
ing of cold steel on steel. Gordon sud
denly pulled up, and in FIVE seconds he
was as cool and clear headed as the
impassive political figure sitting there
at his desk.
In a swift, forceful manner that
ehara cterized him when driven to it by
a hostile listener he pictured Randalls
proposed violation Of the building ordi-
nance, the long, heartbreaking fight
for childhood that Miss Andrews had
been making, the gift Of the settlement
all humanity in his plan Of restoring the
regular causes of the peoples misery.
He must have stated 1t wonderfully
well, for the mayor was really inter-
ested. Once he interrupted.
Say that again about the window
space required in proportion to floor
area. Do you mean to tell me there are
Q l00 nyIy hn1rnnrnC in, hn "A do
DISTRICT"
'Three thousand two hundred and
seventeen, sir. And children rot In
them likeos-r..
go on" the mayor said in a low
tone.
When Gordon was through, the lnay-
or was contemplatively silent.
you've come to the wrong place,
Mr.. Gordon. / can't do anything to
Tommy Randall. What you want to do
is to lay d complaint before the city
building department. The whole bust
ness is under their Jurisdiction and
properly should come before them.
regret exceedingly to hear what you
say about the tenements. | had no idea
matters were so bad. OF course the
housing problem is a yeXed question in
all large centers of population, and all
reformers, believe, are agreed that no
problem presents so many
do you claim, Mr.. Mayor" Gordon
Interrupted, but his blood always boiled
mp IN him when man lied to him,
''that you do not know about the tene-
ment house conditions in Waterside
district? Has Miss Andrews told it so
badly that you have forgotten it?'
The mayors face was dark. He
raised his eyes to Gordon, but lowered
them again.
"You have come to the wrong place
to prefer your complaint, sir. Go to the
city building department. Is that all
your errand?'
at u.s." replied Gordon, and he rose
turned his back on his honor the mayor
and without another word walked out
of the Office. Gordon had such supreme
contempt for deliberate liar that he
used to say it choked him to breathe
the same air with him in the same
room.
At the noon meal he tod the story of
his interview with the mayor.
Miss Andrews looked at him quietly.
THE same old story. And now
snow for the city building depart
ment"
"It's the regular routine. After that
the state board of health, then the state
factory and tenement house inspectors,
them
She spoke with her usual deliberate
patience and Gordon colored.
81 know. l am simply following a
better person than myself, but
But you are man." she said wistful
~. "You may succeed with some Of
them"
John Gordon looked doubtful But in
the afternoon he went down to the city
hall again, and after long and vexa-
tious delay he managed to get hear
ing with one of the officers of the city
building department. The superintend-
ent was in Europe. But a deputy lis
tened to him with an air of polite resig-
nation, as if he We're losing valuable
time.
When Gordon was through, he said: