Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01

ice is necessity to civilization. ana
We stand ready to furnish what the
church and ether religious crsaniza-
tons will never give you!
Surely" John Gordon meditated.
1.-The saloon in its day and generation
is wiser than the children OF light.
The devil must dance in glee over the
sight of the tenement and SUM dis
tricts in the city as he sees his finest
agents occupying the field of social
panderers to human necessity, while
the solemn. empty stone edifices called
churches stand stately and still up on
the grand boulevardS and open their
doors once or twice week to receive
proud men and women, clothed in pur-
pie and fine linen, who fare sumptu-
ously every day, who enjoy their reli-
gion. but do not enjoy pracucing it
among sinners - at least not among
sinners like those who are born in ten
ements and get their nourishment in
saloon and vaudeville. Surely the sa
loon is giving the churches pointers on
how to reach the masses. VIII the
churches take the broad hint and act
on it, or will they still allow the sa
loon to pre-cmpt the corner lots and
under the hypocritical guise of cater
ing to a social craving damn with phys
ical and moral damnation lives that
have never known any other gospel
but the gospel of beer and free lunches
as long as they are able to pay for
them?'
His meditation was going deeper,
and he was beginning to philosophize
not bitterly, but with genuine sadness,
when he saw Mr.. Marsh suddenly
arise and clutch his arm hard.
Il can't bear any more of this" he
said as Gafdon glanced up at him.
I'm going out. It's too revolving.
I've seen all care to-
And when you've seen one of en-
you've seen all of en-" said Officer
Roberts with shrug Gordon looked
toward the stage. \ dance that was
simply revolving in its ndecency was
being performed. \ roar of brutal
laughter rose from the audience. 1t
was like d picture taken from some
famed up in holy wrath at the sight
of it, but lie got W and went out with
Marsh and the officer
Once outside. even in the tainted,
beer poisoned air that tloated out Of
the saloon. all three of the men broathed
easier. officer Roberts looked toward
Gordon with an air of resignation.
Does your friend wish to continue?
I may be allowed to say the show is
the same one place as another-sanle
songs, same dances
mo more for me-" Mr.. Marsh inter-
ruptcd quickly. Gordon, I'm simply
sick Of it all. Let US go back to Hope
drews before going home. You thought
| she would be back after SUPERB
Yes. but ] want you to see Bowen
1 street by night; just two or three
! blocks, and III not ask any more
every we'll" Mr.. Marsh reluctantly
consented. He was evidently laborina
/ under great stress of feeling. His sen
sitive nature had suffered in ways that
were very unusual.
1T won't lie necessary for you to &C
along, Roberts" Gordon said as the
officer stood waiting.
"Much Obliged, sir" Roberts an
kwered with Il look of relief I'm Il
your service OF course. Miss Andrew
gave special orders to me to be of an.
help to you that | can"
ut will not be necessary Roberts
Much obliged. Wen simply wall
through the street and hot attempt an,
inside work tonight"
"All right. sir" The officer turnet
back to Hope House playground, whicl
he had oVerSeen ever since it had be
come an important institution, an'
Gordon, taking MIR. Marsh's arm
walked down Bowen street for thre
blocks, then turned and came back o.
the opposite sidewalk.
If the street had been full during tn
day, it was running over at night
The stoopS We're literally packed Wit
people. The child of the tcnements
with her little sister in her arms, WA
there, bending over the arnful sittin
on the steps in various degrees of dis
comfort and unconscious misery, bu
cheerful, resigned and apparently Dor
to her task.
The night was breathless, and We
out on the wide boulevard it was no
sitting. Down here, however, not
single sigh Of fresh air came. TIL
garbage boxes rottcd yisibly. On TIA
covers of those few boxes that still re
tanned covers were lying men and boys
trying in the midst of the unnatura
feversh noises peculiar to tenemer
districts to get a little rest On til
stones and mud and Ofial Of the stree
itself scores Of people were lying, som
on few rags thrown down to soak Il
the liquid filth, others with no GOVERN
between their horrible clothing and til
foul street. Twice they had TO sto
and pick their way between the figure
that lay in the street, painting for
breath of air, YEARLY, but with tn
indifference of years of nccustome
discomfort counting the time when I'll
dark sleeping rooms inside. should b.
come little less unbearabfe.
During tie entire walk neither Go
don nor Marsh said anything but one
when Mr., Marsh asked a question;
Some of these children seem 4;
better dressed and cleaner, more "A
tractiye than others. Are these son
| of the Hone House cOuVprtS!'