News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-02-25


interrupted by Randall.
"The service"
1.-THE service! l will see to that"
as there any ministerY" Gordon
asked firmly, for he knew enough from
what he had heard from the residents
to know that in many cases there were
no religious services Of any kind and a
horrible haste and tumult that partoolz
of the savagery of brute nature.
Tommy Randall paused before he
answered, weighing somewhat careful
ly just how far he could go.
"What business is . of yours, young
fellow"
Gordon silently showed him his in
spector,s badge.
"Umph! Board of health! Does the
honorable body authorize you to man.
age funeralsE'
at does" replied Gordon boldly.
Flows that?' Randall asked sharp
ly.
"The duties of tenement inspectors"
Gordon went on calmly, ARE clearly
defined in section y, article /, of the
regulations of the state board of health.
That article distinctly says ii shall be
the duty of the inspectors, in case Of
death occurring in districts under in
EpeCtion, to notify the proper authOri-
ties and, if no other authorized body is
in charge, to arrange whatever is nee
essary for the welfare of the family
in the matter of burial, etc. | c0nsid-
er, therefore, that | am acting fully
within the limits Of my authority when
I say have a right to call in minis
ter for the decent observance Of the
rites attending this DEATH"
Tommy Randall was silent mo-
ment He was preparing a speech
that would show this young man what
a mistake he had made when Gordon
suddenly asked, with the simplicity
that came from part ignorance of the
power the boss really had:
"By what authority are you here in
charge of this funeral|'
Tommy Randall gasped. For the
first time in years he grew pale with
rage, and at first Gordon thought the
man was going to strike him.
by what authority. you insOlent
puppy? I'll teach you by what au-
thority. This is my ward, I'll have
you understand - my ward, do you
hear?"
Il hear you quite well, sir. You do
not need to talk to make the dead
hear
John Gordon spoke with a heart on
fire as he realized with Il CLEAN of in
stinctiye loathing of the man his dia-
bolical hold on the people. Come out
here and say what you have to say.
1t is not decent for us to be having all
lhis in the room"
He turned in Il great heat of anger
that Instantly cooled as he went out
in the corridor, and Randall followed
him. in spite of himself as it seemed,
and the curious, gaping crowd, mostly
women thronged around to see the
Row between Tommy Randall. the au-
'ocrat of Ward IS, and the slim, pale
faced well dressed gent" who had
suddenly stepped into the arena alone
against the whole political machine
He's up against it, chuckled an
Did woman.
Tommy will do him up brown"
said 4 young man who loafed against
the broken railing of the corridor and
spit tobacco juice down on the heads
of the children in the court below.
Gordon again was the first to speak.
He was not aggressive, but perfectly
firm and calm.
"Haye you any legal authority for
managing affairs here?" he asked. and
Randall again made a movement
which looked like a threat of physical
violence.
ut is none of your business"' The
sentence came out with an explosion
of profanity that delighted the crowd.
81 am regularly appointed by the
board of health as legal officer Do l
understand that you are an officer Of
the city? Do you have a legal official
authority in these premises?' Gordon
asked calmly. The question was so
simply put that its very simplicity
staggered Tommy Randall. He stared
anu IHeu broke INTO Il coarse laugh
that was echoed by the women.
Official duty be -. l run this ward.
I'm in charge here, and | warn YOU to
get out and leave this business to me-"
do | understand you to threaten an
officer with violence?' Gordon asked.
looking him in the eye coldly. At the
same time, he took out a notebook,
while Randall eyed him in rage that
he was trying C-'dent.y' . choke down.
or 10 1T tins TO a trace of I'M
fs"'-CsS mnl- I'd with his astonish-
Lent at the unexpected bOldness of
the young man who had thrown down
the gauntlet before the boss of Ward
IS. He was beginning to be in doubt
concerning the young mans political
pull. Nothing short of secret infu-
ence at the city hall could account for
his astounding attitude.
81 warn you" Gordon talked as he
1otted down something in the book and
put it back into his pocket, that am
acting fully within my authority as an
officer specially detailed for this duty
l understand you make no claim to
being an officer of the city. | shall
proceed to secure a minister and have
the services properly conducted. Mrs