Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
"But how many persons are you sup

"But how many persons are you sup
porting in Colorado"
Don't remember. Quit it or you
will bring on my cough. 1t always
gets me when inconsiderate friends in
sist on talking about it."
SO Gordon took up the days expert
ence with Mr. Marsh while Williams
brought in the coffee and rolls and Bar
ton seemed unusually cheerful and fun
ny. When Gordon rose to go, Barton
said
81 think maybe I'll get down to the
office next week. But come up as often
as you can. old man, won't your
Gordon promised, with choking In
his throat as he shook hands, and went
off, carrying with him memory that
was both sad and inspiring. After he
had gone out David Barton went over
to the couch and. kneeling down. sobbed
like child. He was gifted man,
only forty years old, and life was very
| sweet to him.
The first thing John Gordon did on
reaching Hope House was to confer
with Miss Andrews.
do you think Mr.. Marsh will do
anything?" she asked.
81 think so-yes" But Gordon's re-
| ply was not very strong.
You are in doubt. He was deeply
impressed. But. if mistake not, he is
the kind Of man to delay any move
that means real financial loss. His
horror of the tenement conditions is not
equal to his dread of ultimate money
loss II he tears the double decker down
or remodels It,"
I'm afraid-yes," Gordon answered,
with sigh.
"But Of course" he said after awhile.
"you have used your influence with
the board of health and the city otti-
Gals and all other departments
Yes" Miss Andrews answered quiet
ly.
"But conditions are getting worse.
Why?'
ASK Tommy Randall"
"The political boss:'
"Of course you know he is the rock
on which most of our reforms split
you have been to him personallyT'
GOTTEN. He's the most dangerous
man in the city. He is utterly devoid
of conscience l have never found a
single quality in him TO which l could
appeal. But, if he would, he could
move the powers that be to right near
ly every wrong in the ward"
Gordon was on the point Of going or
with the inquiries for what he had
heard of Tommy Randall, the boss
surrounded that potent force with q
certain human fascination, but Miss
Andrews was called away and the
talk was not renewed until they mel
. again at dinner
For week John Gordon continued
! his special investigation with Ford. the
university student The work tool
him into another block. Coming bacl
one evening from the district, he passed
by No 81. and the sight of an unusua
commotiOn there caused him to stoI
and 90 in. He thought of his little
friend, Louie, and reproached himself
! for not having gone to see him or make
inquiries. But the child was only on,
of hundreds for whom his heart wa;
!, beginning to bleed as the unending a g
ony of childhoods tragedy in the tene
/. ments was beginning to be unfolded Il
him.
2 He went into the court and up tn
f staircase and out upon the corridor
? Several women there seemed agitate,
r by some recent occurrences.
4 What is it?' he asked of one of TIL
women. who was crying into dirt.
: apron.
1 "Louie's dead" she replied and re
: sumed her crying.
: John Gordon stepped to the doc
e leading into Mrs. Caylor's. The moth
n er met him there. Her face was har,
a and fearless.
"May | 20 in?" Gordon asked gently
The woman made no reply. and Coz
I don went on. The rooms were lighte'
with candles. Several women We're il
n the room. a man was standing by
table on which was a rough pine cotiir
l. at which he was looking with DISCUS
t or contempt.
G he looked up as Gordon came III.
II "Who are youY" was the mans roug
t greeting.
my name Ia John Gordon of HOY
House,
The man turned suddenly to one {
the women who stood looking on SUI
missively. Take the thing out" poin
y ing to the coffin, land tell Abrams
send up something better or he'll he;
4 from me-
. And this was John Gordon's introdu
ton to Tommy Randall, the polite
, boss of Hope House district, Ward IS
CHAPTER VI.
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