The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-01

doors once or twice 4 week to receive
proud men and women, clothed in pur.
pie and fine linen, who fare sumptu-
ously every day, who enjoy their rell-
cion, but do not enjoy practicinS 1t
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. Will the
churches take the broad hint and act
, on it. or will they still allow the sa-
loon to pre-empt the corner lots and
under the hypocritical guise OF cater
ing to a social craving damn with phys
ical and mora. damnation lives that
have never ...nown 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.
81 can't bear any more Of this" he
said as Gordon 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 'em
you've seen all Of 'em," said Officer
Roberts with shrug. Gordon looked
toward the stage. a dance that was
simply revolving in it's indecency was
being performed. \ roar Of brutal
laughter rose from the audience. II
was like picture taken from some
scene Of the Inferno" Gordon's spirit
famed up In holy wrath at the sight
Of it, but he got up and went out with
Marsh and the officer.
Once outside, even in the tainted
beer poisoned air that foated out OF
the saloon, all three Of the men breathed
easier. Officer Roberts looked toward
Gordon with an air Of resignation.
"Does your friend wish to continue!
may be allowed to say the show is
the same one place as another-same
songs, same dances
'sNo more for me-" Mr.. Marsh inter.
rupted quickly. Gordon, I'm simply
sick of it all. Let US so back to Hope
| House. 1 should like to meet Miss An
drews before going home. You thought
she would be back after supper?
Eyes, but want you to see Bowen
street by night; just two OF three
blocks, and I'll not ask any more"
every we'll" Mr.. Marsh reluctantly
consented. He was evidently laborinG
under great stress Of feeling. His sen
sitive nature had suffered in ways that
were very unusual.
s'It won't be necessary for you to &c
along, Roberts," Gordon said as the
officer stood waiting.
Much obliged, sir" Roberts an
swered with a 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 can"
ct will not be necessary, Roberts
s1uch 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 oversee1 ever since it had pc
come an important institution, anc
Gordon, taking Mr.. A1arsh's arm,
walked down Bowen street for three
blocks, then turned and came back OF
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 Dor1
to her task.
The night was breathless, and yei
out on the wide boulevard it was not
sitting. Down here, however, not 8
/ single sigh Of fresh air came. The
garbage boxes rotted yisibly. On the
covers Of those few boxes that still re
tanned covers were lying men and boys
trying in the midst Of the unnatural
feverish noises peculiar to tenement
districts to get a little rest On TIE
stones and mud and ofal of the street
itself scores Of people were lying. some
on a few rags thrown down Il soak uI
! the !iquid filth, others with no covering
between their horrible clothing and the
foul street. Twice they had to stor
and pick their way between the figures
that lay in the street, painting for {
breath Of air, wearily, 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 question:
Some Of these children seem fal
better dressed End cleaner, more at
tractive than others. Are these some
Of the Hope House CONVERSE
"No," replied John Gordon dryly
''Those are saloon keepers children"
Mr.. Marsh did not ask any more
questions until they were going int
Hope House entrance. Then be turned
to his companion and said:
Il have seen things today I neyel
could believe if I had been told. 1t i:
all too horrible, too horrible. l shal
dream of it tonight Why have yor
made me look at it,
They paused moment under the
archway.
Would God, Mr. Marsh, that every
/, business man in this city could see
what you have seen, and what you hav'
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