The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-19


that they could not yet be removed /
to the hospitals. The resources Of the
building had been-taxed to its extreme |
limit But the outside scene was what
Miss Andrews saw now with some \
CLEAN Of promise shining out OF those
letters. Groups Of children gathered |
over the burned area, poking in the
eshes or among the bricks and lime
for trihes that were eagerly treasured |
az souvenirs Of the tragedy. The whole
! dreary, dismal, melancholy wretched |
ness Of the scene had not one ray OF |
comfort anywhere, except that which |
lay I'm the two letters I'm her lap. And |
even with that what could be done7
III that desert of ashes could be
transformed into "A park, Miss An |
drews" Gordon suggested. They had
both reached the same conclusion at
the same time.
Parks and Fairgrounds, the two
sweet 'P's' OF my life," she said visit
! fully, but It would cost
"How much do you suppose Mrs.
Captain George Efingham is wotth?"
II have no idea, have your"
mot the least. Why not write and
give her a frank account Of the factsf
IL the old lady wants to add some Of
the spicy fragrance Of life TO children,
here is her opportunity. Let Ford send
her photographs Of the burned district,
including the swarms OF children like
those out there now, and let us leave
Il to her TO give what she will"
THAT is good. VIII you write the
letter.
mo; you write It. She knows you
by reputation. | am n nobody 20 her."
"Very well. | will write the letter.
You and Mr. Ford secure the photo
graphs
Gordon and Ford went out that aft
ernoon and secured several photo
graphs taken 10y newspaper men at
the time Of the fire itself. In two
days the group was made up and, to-
gether with Miss Andrews letter, sent
on to Mrs. Captain George Ethngham,
as strong a plea for parks and play
grounds as human language and the
camera ever presented Gordon read
the letter aud marveled at It. IL set his
heart ahre. II made him long for mil
lions to give, to buy up city deserts and
, transform them into paradise. II was
the reading of this letter that caused
, him tn wonder with increased amaze
ment at the eXtravugant and heart
less wickeduess OF luxurious civillza-
3 tion that spends more Oh the things II
eats that are unnecessary In one day
4 than IL gives to feed starved childhood
. I'm a year. II Jesus were here on the
earth again, would he not say to the
\ rich men ana women In the cities
I "Woe unto you, hypocrites! Calling
yourselves. many of you, 10y my name
= yet living In needless luxury, pamper
Ing your bodies seeking pleasure anC
ease, while the blood of little children
c spatters the wheels OF your carriages
: as you drive haughtly through thu
$ streets And ye cry: Lord, Lord, hav'
p not gone 10 churchf Have 1 not pal'
the highest pew rent and attended IL
vine service regularly In my ow
o church and given something annual
e TO support mlsslonsY Yea, verify, yo
:, have done these things. but for ever
dollar 10 religion and charitable worl
you have spent hundrcdfold ON you
= own self satisfied existence. Verify v
q have received your reward But IN
u time Is coming when there shall b
! weeping ana grinding OF teeth, whel
Il YOU see little ones you have despise'
n entering into the kingdom Of heavei
o aud YOU yourselves shut out and hea
y me say: Depart from me. neye
n knew your"
10 Before the letter TO the old lady ha,
y gone It's way TO do lts errand, while Tn
a settlement workers waited in suspens
Il for It's results Miss Andrews receives
y letter by messenger, She read IL an,
- quietly placed II IN John Gordon
Z hands. The letter was from Luella.
u My Dear Miss Andrews-I inclose
. check for 1900. which may be OF use
:, you IN relieving some OF the dlstres
u caused by the recent terrible disaster 4
y Bowen street. l hope 20 be able soon {
Z, add 10 this. WIN you kindly inform Nj
= Gordon that my father returned thl
morning and IN az his ONCE? With bes
2 LUELI.A MARSH.
n Gordon read the letter through with
out ioohlnb up no hhNN Nh"e N"'"
y Andrews had heard Of his former rela
3 ton 10 Luella through the sensauona
II accounts printed by the News
He handed the letter back. simpl.
saying:
THE money will be useful Just now.
q In reality he regarded the gift as con
70 science money. Luella was dlsturDe'
- over her fathers responsibility for th
;. whole unnecessary horror She sent
q thousand dollars TO ease her feelings
- But would a hundred or even a mlliioI
&c times a thousand dollars ever brinI
J. back 10 life the creatures that wen
down 20 death with the tenement
y Would II ever restore 10 health and 20!
II tho scores OF maimed and broke
e wretches that fingered on In tortur
and lifelong dependeneeY
e His heart was cold toward this won
p an who had once been dearer than al
the world TO him. AZ the same TIM
y he knew that the sight Of her beautlfu