The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-10
Stories They Tell

"And what may that be?" asked a
visitor of a proud friend who was
showing him the city. They were on
East Third street. near Market street.
Before them lay the beautiful bluffs
of the West side, view of which they
broad stream, flooded with the high
water, Harriet island with it's neat
bath houses and massive trees, the
flats of the West side dotted with
dwellings,, and the magnificent bluffs
extending from Wabasha street bridge
to the high bridge, forming the back
ground. made up the picture.
Only one thing was there to mar the
view, to spoil the impression created
by the picturesque, and that was what
attracted the attention of the visitor
and prompted the question put to his
friend.
The object referred to was the ugly
shed, standing solitary and grim at the
edge of the sidewalk where Hill street
joins Third street.
'Well-er-Well, 1 guess they forgot
to take 1T down. 1t was part Of the
old market. They took down the sheds
that stood all along here a while ago."
why didn't they take down that
eyesore. too. when they were about it?
That shed, with it's glazing bill board,
spoils that handsome view"
that dampened the st. Paul mans civic
pride as he was showing off his city,
endowed with so many natural charms.
Webb McNall, supreme master work.
man of the A. o. U. w, tells a pathetic
little story Of the Topeka flood.
Hundreds upon hundreds of the
destitute" said he, "Were quartered in
the churches and other buildings that
had escaped the waters, and in one of
these places l visited, I saw a family
consisting Of father, mother and three
little children of about six, four and
two years of age. The parents, it was
plain to be seen, were persons who had
never known the meaning of the word
want, were richly dressed and had a
general air Of prosperity, but their
earthly possessions had vanished in a
flash.
But they were not downcast. They
had managed to save some few wraps,
they had placed some chairs together
and there they had made a nest for
their little ones. If there was any
head or foot to that improvised bed, I
would say that the father sat at the
head and the mother at the foot, the
little ones were sleeping peacefully, and
every once in while the parents
would glance down at the children and
then at each other and smile.
words may be laden with burning
eloquence, but I have yet to hear the
words that can convey to my mind
such a wealth Of meaning as those
looks that passed between that thank
full pair
The occasion was a hearing before
the board Of public works on a pro-
posed improvement in the East end
and goodly portion of the property
owners were decidedly opposed to it's
contamination.
The man in front, a grizzled veteran
with a decided brogue was particu-
larly vehement in his disapprovaI of
the whole thing and the presiding Off
Ger had considerable difficulty in sup
pressing him.
Nov sit down and let somebody else
talk" cautioned the president Of the
board.
Sure and they can all talk, I'm ofNz
here for me rights was the veteran S
answer. Its demmed-
Nov shut up and let somebody
else talk. Can't you see you are de-
laying the work?" angriIy interrupted
the president.
"And it's wurrk you call it; wurrk,
is ft?" and the veterans voice rose
as he continued: "Well, it's a divil a
thing you can do but talk. I haven't
seen you do thing else since I been
here"
The presiding officer was about to
make an answer, but the veterans
repartee was evidently too pointed a
thing to invite and finally, in despera-
ton, he was ignored and the others
permitted to drown him out.
Some of the others would not coun-
tenance his interference and told him
so and he went out in disgust, but not
without a final shot at the board as to
'al1 talk" and "demmed robbery"