The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-25

H " I |IsS ANDREWS had
Es \ A come into the room
III N ~ ; and up to the table
4 W ! before John Gordon
A @ raised his head
l~-- These names
"you found them. Of course In
tended YOU should. I am sorry for
YOU" Miss Andrews spoke sadly.
Sorry for me, Sorry for tsem, Miss
Andrews. l am not altogether sur
prised to find my fathers name here
but AIr. Marsh
lie was silent 4 moment.
'a1r. Marsh:' Miss Andrews asked,
md John Gordon, who had been Won
derinc if he could tell Miss Andrews
ANYTHING about Luella, realized that
she was in total ignorance of LueGa
and her father.
ssAIr. Marsh is senior member Of the
firm of Marsh, Lyon & Humber, elec-
tricians. Ee is an old friend Of my
father. have known him since was
boy and always respected him. 1t
was q great surprise to me to IND ms
name here"
.yEhy should it be?' Miss Andrews
questioned calmly. Business IN many
If its regular methods is not noted @or
a refined and loving expression OF the
Golden Rule. Most Of the names in that
list are names OF men who fare sunlp-
tuously every day and are counted
among the best citizens"
eve made up my mind what to do,
John Gordon said irrelevantly. I am
going to see my father, and'-
'.And what?''
sI won't promise until l have seen
him. But you know better than 90
that the city ordinances are violated a
dozen times in the Waterside district.
The overcrowding, the plumbing, the
absence Of lighting, are all in direct vio-
lation of every ordinance on the sub
ject. Scores of the tenants complained
that their landlords refused to do any
thing
Miss Andrews said nothing, but she
eyed John Gordon with her customary
caimness. 1t was the calmness Of one
who has been through the entire hell
of political apathy ana municipal in
competency and criminal neglect and
still preserves its eQuanimity.
'Let me know the result Of your IN
terview, please she finally said as
John Gordon lcpsed into silent brood
ing.
He went into the business city next
day and entered the bank Of which
Rufus Gordon was president with a
feeling that he strove to subdue and
the prayer that be might not be pro
voked into saying some things that
burned in his heart. At the same time
when he was once in his fathers pres
ence ne began to doubt his ability to
discuss the facts calmly.
Mr.. Rufus Gordon showed no sur
prise at the sight Of his son, although
the two had not met since that event
full day when John Gordon had taken
somewhat formal leave OF his home.
viii you take a seat?" Rufus Cor
don spoke with the cold politeness he
might have shown any man who had
in all probability come to negotiate for
q loan.
John Gordon remained standing and
came at once to the point Of his er'
rand
Father, we have decided each to 50
his own way, but that does not mean
that we are never to have anything
more to do with each other, does it"
when you are tired Of your present
foolishness, you can come back" There
was the faintest suggestion in Rufus
Gordon's manner Of relenting in his
tone and attitude. The lips tremb!ed
slightly, and the eyes rested for just
an instant on the sons face before
coming back to the apparently inditter
ent gaze that had been directed at the
table.
81 have not come to talk Of that
father. 1t is impossible for ne tc
change my purpose. What 1 have come
to see you about is this: You control
some tenant property in Waterside dis
trict, Bowen street, two blocks south
Of Hope House. DO you know from
personal knowledge the condition OF
that property"
Instantly over Rufus Gordon's face
swept an angry wave of color.
sIt is none Of your business! This Il
part of your contemplate meddling as
q reformer in other peoples affairs"
But it is my business! 1t is the
business Of every man. Father, az
YOU know the horrible condition Of thai
property and the awful condition Of
the people living there?'
Rufus Gordon made no answer, bu
the anger was evidently deepening II
him. John Gordon waited moment
All his accumulated passion growing
out of what he had seen and heard dur
inc that one short week in Hope House
was in danger Of rising like q torren
against MS own 1dlASA. O"S " " -
spoke it was with an earnestness tha'
revealed his attempt at self mastery.
Nos. II and 70, owned by you
father, contain seventeen tamlhes
They are. us suppose you know; front
and rear tcnemeDts. They are ootl
horribly out CT repair and absolutely
unfit for human habitation. Take the
case Of the plumbing. There are nc
reyents to any OF the pipes, and only
one waste pipe has I trap. That is OF
no -,lue because OF the condition OF
the catch basins, which are below
ground and have simply become Sc
clo-ced with grease that they are cess
pools that overflow the court ana ever