Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-14
were very unusual.

were very unusual.
"1t won't be necessary for you to go
along, Roberts," Gordon said as the
officer stood waiting.
"Much obliged, SIR" Roberts an
swered with look of relief. I'm at
your service of course. Miss Andrews
gave. special orders to me to be of any
help to you that l CAM
1T will not be necessary, Roberts.
Much obliged: Well simply walk
through the street and not attempt any
inside work tonight"
"All right, SIR The officer turned
back to Hope House playground, which
he had overseen ever since it had be-
come an important institution, and
Gordon, taking Mr.. Marsh's arm
walked down Bowen street FOR three
blocks, then turned and came back on
the opposite sidewalk.
If the street had been full during the
day, it was running over at night.
The stoops were literally packed with
people. The child of the tenements,
with her little sister in her arms, was
there, bending over the armful, sitting
on the steps in various degrees of dis
comfort and unconscious misery, but
cheerful, resigned and apparently born
to her task.
The night was GREATNESS, and yet
out on the wide boulevard it was not
sitting. Down here, however, not a
single sigh Of fresh air came. The
garbage boxes rotted visibly. On the
covers Of those few boxes that still re-
tanned covers were lying men and boys,
trying in the midst of the unnatural,
afeverish noises peculiar to tenement
districts to get little rest. On the
stones and mud and offal of the street
itself scores of people were lying, some
on few rags thrown down to soak up
the liquid filth, others with no covering
between their horrible clothing and the
foul street. Twice they had to stop
and pick their way between the figures
that lay in the street, painting for a
breath of air, YEARLY, but with the
Indifference, Of years Of accustomed
discomfort, counting the time when the
dark sleeping rooms inside should be-
come little less unbearable.
During the entire walk neither Cor
don nor Marsh said anything but once,
when Mr.. Marsh asked a question::
''Some of these children seem far
better dressed and cleaner, more at
tractive than others. Are these some
of the Hope House converts?''
"No," replied John Gordon dryly.
''Those are saloon keepers children"
Mr.. Marsh did not ask any more
questions until they were going into
Hope House entrance. Then he turned
to his companion and said:
81 have seen things today I never
could believe if 1 had been told. 1t is
all too horrible, too horrible. l shall
dream of it tonight. Why have you
made me look at it?'
They paused a moment under the
archway.
"Would God, Mr.. Marsh, that every
business man in this city could see
what you have seen, and what you have
seen is nothing compared with the hor-
rors you will never even dream about"
1T has sickened me-" Mr.. Marsh re-
peated irritably, and John Gordon
could see by his manner that he was
nervously affected by the days expe-
rience. Before he could say anything
Miss Andrews came in through the
archway.
IL understand you have been looking
about today. Come into the library
and tell me about it,
She had greeted Gordon in her usual
quiet, calm but delightful manner as
he introduced Mr.. Marsh.
When they We're seated at the great
center table, Gordon briefly recited the
main incidents Of the days experience.
Gradually Mr.. Marsh lost his irrita-
ton. There was something profoundly
impressive in the face and manner of
this woman. She was the first woman
he had ever met who made him feel
that she was deeply and exactly in
formed on city life. He had met other
women who were brilliant, witty, we'll
educated, cultured, but never one who
evidently knew humanity like this one.
In five minutes she seemed to be in
full possession Of all the facts Of Mr..
Marsh's ownership Of the property and
his exact attitude in every particular
toward the scenes he had witnessed.
The talk had not proceeded ten min
utes before she said with the utmost
frankness:
Mr.. Marsh, I am sure you will tear
down No. 81 and put up the right kind
of building in it's place. OF course
you are convinced now that the struc-
ture is mistake in every particular"
"I-1-don't know. I certainly did
not know what sort of a building it
was-it would prove to be-" Mr.. Marsh
stammered.
''Then of course your judgment and
humanity together will prompt you to
put up safe, sanitary, comfortable
building" Miss Andrews continued
calmly. :s;<
"1-1-will have to give the matter
ah - considerable consideration" Mr.:
Marsh replied, with caution. ''1t will
be very expensive to tear it down."
ut costs lives. Are they not of more
value, Mr.. Marsh, than money!"
She said il calmly h11t tho roproccod