Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-07
a# go .'.' AHD - ri -
355zai$<$t. .0.'- - -..=-.. =
R||'''l',e!|:for.m,:!'Ier
By CHARLES N. SHELDON
Author Of I'm His Steps," Robert
Hardy's Seven Days" Etc.
=. CQu1n.i1ht. 1901 BIZ Chnrlea NJ Sheldon .
CoNTINUED.)
$ Copyright, 1901, bv Charles N. Sheldon


80 coNT1NUED.)
z$ without any reply John Gordon, still
Keeping his hand on his companions
arm. began to go up the stairs. Under
1ne1r feet they could feel the Shiny
NTH that had accumulated for weeks.
HAIR way up something passed them
going down. 1t was a little girl about
elght years old carrying in her arms q
paby. In the dim light which filtered
through the hall at the top of the flight
tne two men could hardly make out
tnls Child OF the tenements, burdened
hong years before the time with a hu-
man responsibility, robbed of play
ground and childhood and thrust into
world of suffering and discomfort. Poor
mournful creature, a woman in gravity
and child in years. bending your
dirty face over the gasping little sister
IN your slim arms, sitting on the steps
late into the night with the bundle that
may actually die in your arms, and no
one but yourself feel much grief if it
does. Child of the tenements, you do
not know it, but it is beautiful world
that God has made. There are trees
and flowers and clear water and per-
ruined zephyrs and grass dotted with
bloom. But oh, for you. little sister,
who shall reveal it's beauty. who shall
discover to you it's glory, O child of the
Tenements, in the great city by the
lakes?
At the top Of the stairs John Gordon
paused moment and then turned to
the left and led his companion along
ito a doorway opening on a corridor
looking out on the airshaft. A railing
ran around this corridor, and leaning
over it were a number of persons, most
ly women, some of them holding ba-
Dies. others doing some kind Of work.
@0ne woman at the end of the corridor
was preparing some dish for supper.
The stencil that rose from the court
below was made !oubly intolerable by
the smoke from the chimneys of the
rear tenements III the adjoining lot.
which drifted into the corridor and
swept into every doorway.
''Geod afternoon, Mrs. Caylor How
lis the little boy today?"
Poorly, sir Will you go in and see
him?" Then she glanced suspiciously
aat Mr.. Marsh and added: But you
can't do anything for him. Better
leave him be-
''This is Mr.. Marsh, Mrs Caylor. He
rs the owner of the building. He wants
to see some of the rooms. We can go
in?
The woman's face lighted up Just
for a second, then all died out to that
dull Indifference which has long ago
lost all hope of anything better farther
zon.
Il don't care" she answered with
ssullen Indifference.
John Gordon at once turned into the
room, and Mr.. Marsh reluctantly fol-
Bowed. There were two windows, but
both opened on the corridor Gordon
walked across to an opening and
turned to beckon to Mr.. Marsh, who
had stopped.
Il want you to see specimen of
dark bedroom, Mr.. Marsh. You don't
need to visit more than one. But it is
worth knowing that there are hun
sdreds more like this one.'
Mr.. Marsh came across to Gordon's
side.
''This is more terrible than l ever
dreamed" he said in whisper.
Nothing when you get used to it.
sir. Let's step in. There isn't much to
see"
They entered the room. which was
absolutely dark except for the light
that entered through the room they
had just left. Gordon felt his way un-
til his hand touched something, and
then he said gently:
"Louie, how are you today?'
mot very we'll. That you, Mr.. Cor
DOM"
eyes. I've brought you something.
Here. Catch Oh, little man."
tits fine!' the thin eager voice ex-
claimed. Don't tell mother She'll
take it away"
/. ''N0, no, Louie. She won't. The doc
tor will let you have it," John Gordon
said reassuringly, and then he was ST.
lent. Mr.. Marsh was close by, and
both men stood still q moment.
In the stiffness a distinct rustling
sound could be heard. 1t, was like the
rustling of tissue paper or the scratch
ing Of small mice.
s* ''What's thatY' Mr.. Marsh asked.
s. "Wait minute; I'll show you," Cor
don answered quietly. "Shut your
eyes, Louis. I'm going to light a
match" ~ - 49,: - ..-
He struck the match and held it up.
The pale light revealed In the few
seconds that the match burned a bro
ken bedstead and ragged, filthy mat
uess on which lay child about ten
years old. The walls of the room had
once been papered before the double
decker had been constructed SO that
some OF 1t had blocked up the win
dows that had once opened on the rear
lot. This paper now hung in festoons