Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-04-04
The
RefOrmer:
By CHARLES NJ SHELDON.
Author of I'm His Steps," Robert
Hardy's Seven Days." Etc.
COpNiQht, 1901, bu Charles N. Sheldon ,
Copyright, 1901, by Charles N. Sheldon

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"Now then. young man, is there any
thing more?"
His profound reverie was suddenly
interrupted by Randall.
''The service?''
THE service! will see to that"
lis there any minister?' Gordon
asked firmly, for he knew enough from
what he had heard from the residents
10 know that in many cases there were
no religious services of any kind and a
horrible haste and tumult that partook
or the savagery Of brute nature.
i Tommy Randall paused before he
answered, weighing somewhat careful
W just how far he could CO.
"What business is it of yours, young
fellow"
I Gordon silently showed him his in
spector's badge.
''Umph! Board of health! Does the
honorable body authorize you to man.
age funerals?"
I 1T does" replied Gordon boldly.
FLOWS that?" Randall asked sharp
fly.
1.-THE duties Of tenement inspectors"
fG0rdOn went on calmly, "are clearly
fdefned in section II, article 4, of the
regulations of the state board of health
That article distinctly says it shall be
the duty Of the inspectors, in case Of
death occurring in districts under in
spection, to notify the proper authori-
tiles and, if no other authorized body is
In charge, to arrange whatever is nee
Fessary for the welfare of the family
an the matter Of burial, etc. 1 consid-
~er. therefore, that l am acting fully
within the limits of my authority when
say have right to call in minis
ter for the decent observance of the
rites attending this DEATH
Tommy Randall was silent a mo-
ment. He was preparing a speech
that would show this young man what
"a mistake he had made when Gordon
suddenly asked, with the simplicity
that came from part ignorance of the
tpower the boss really had:
by what authority are you here in
charge of this funeral?"
Tommy Randall gasped. For the
hrst time in years he grew pale with
rage, and at first Gordon thought the
man was going to strike him.
by what authority, you insolent
puppy? I'll teach you by what au-
!thority! This is my ward, Ill have
you understand - my ward, do you
hear?'
II hear you quite we'll. sir. You do
mot need to talk to make the dead
hear!"
John Gordon spoke with a heart on
fire as he realized with CLEAN of in
distinctive loathing of the man his dia-
;bolical hold on the people. "Come out
here and say what you have to say
1T is not decent for us to be having all
this in the ROOM
He turned in a great heat Of anger
athat instantly cooled as he went out
lin the corridor, and Randall followed
him, in spite of himself as it seemed,
land the curious, gaping crowd mostly
women, th-onged around to see the
row between Tommy Randall, the au-
Itocrat of Ward IS, and the SLIM pale
faced, well dressed gent" who had
suddenly stepped into the arena alone
against the whole political machine
He's up against it,! chuckled an
1old woman.
Tommy will do him up brown"
said a young man who loafed against
tthe broken railing of the corridor and
ispit tobacco juice down on the heads
tof the children in the court below.
Gordon again was the first to speak.
HE was not aggressive, but perfectly
tdrm and calm.
''Have you any legal authority for