The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-04

Oiilty' III Gordon was ignorant of Tom.
my RandalPs strength, the boss was no
less ignorant of this young mans inner
sources of persistent and tireless
strength that would inevitably come TO
MS assistance in the struggle that was
beginning in that wretched tenement.
with child's death as witness to the
grim contest.
Il have been asking Mrs. Chylor
what arrangements have been made
Tor funeral service" Gordon spoke
quietly. "If no other minister has
been engaged, think | can get MIR.
Falmouth Of Nazareth church to come
down"
Tommy Randall walked up to John
Gordon and deliberately looked hiD
over. Gordon stood perfectly still and
never moved muscle as his eyes
looked straight into the older mans
The service has all been arranged.
young man. Randall said finally. A
sound Of shuhling steps was heard on
the broken stairs ana along the cor.
ridor ruJ two men appeared with
coffin.
"Ah! Were YOU are, Abrams! That's
more like It. Don't try to palm OF
another one OF your rotten boxes on
ine or you'll hear from me, eh? Put
II on the table," Then, as two chill.
dren came into the room at the heels
OF the two men who brought the cof.
nm, Gordon was astonlshed to see Ran
dali pat them on the head kindly and
say Now, then, lads, out of the road.
l can't stop now"
The children went out Of the room,
and Randall hustled In and out, order
ing chairs and helping place the body
81 Louie I'm the coffin. Gordon came
up to the table to look at the little
face, for Louie had been partly de-
formed, and his face was like n baby's.
He looked down at the figure and
noticed that one hand was clinched
tight STOPPING a little lower, by the
dim light Gordon reco snized his own
little gift when he had gone in with
SIR. Marsh. 1t was a sample bottle Of
perfumcry, and the child had clung TO
It In the darkness, dying I'm the horrible
hlth Of his surroundings, and, as Cor
| don learned some time afterward, lit
, orally covered with vCrmin.
John Gordon's tears fell on the face
as he felt that here was one OF Gods
little ones against whom somebody
had sluned Better for milestone to
be hanged sround his neck"-he seemed
to hear the words OF the Son of Man
than that one Of these little ones
1 should perish" Sho was to blamei
Was ii the social system? Was 1t the
selfish wealth? Was it political dis
honesty? Was II a definite individual
This chld-weak, deformed, helpless
| did 1t not need the strength and beauty
of n whole universe thrown about II IN
loving protectionP Instead OF that
flung like some vile thing among tn,
rotting. loathsome, crawling things o.
the lowest physical world, II had gon
out Of a world Of black horrors, cling
ing childishly 20 a bit of artihcla
fragrance that was practically all tn,
touch II ever knew OF the aboundinl
| perfume OF a flower bedecked earth
Poor little soul! VIII not God take
him and hold him long In his bosom OF
infinite pityI And will II be unjust II
an impossible gulf yawns between
him and the Dives who Oh earth tasted
all the physical delights, but let the
dogs lick the sores Of the beggar at his
gate, proud Of his charity I'm filnging Ia
him the crumbs OF the feast? For Ia
not that about all that wealthy Chris
tendon has so far flung at the dying
beggar of the slum, after 1000 years Of
luxurious civilization?
Now then, young man, is there any
thing moreY
His profound reverie was suddenly
Interrupted by Randall.
THE servicer
"The service! | will see to that"
rs there any mlnisterT 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
horrible haste and tumult that partOok
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 II Of yours, young
fellOw?
Gordon silently showed him his In
spectOr's badge.
"Umphl Board OF healthl Does the
honorable body authorize you to man
age funeralsT
1T does" replied Gordon boldly.
"How's thatT Randall asked sharp
ly.
The duties OF tenement inspectors"
Gordon went on calmly, ARE clearly
defined In section II. article 4, 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
spectiOn, 20 notify the proper authoFi'
ties and. II no other authorized body Is
In charge. 20 arrange whatever Is nee
essary for the welfare OF the family |
IN the matter OF burial. etc, consld' |
er, therefore, that I am acting fully |
within the limits OF my authority when /