The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-08

don leJrIle$i some time afterward, lit
orally covered with vermin.
John Gordon's tears fell on the face
as he felt that here was one Of Gods
I little ones against whom somebody
had sinned. Better for milestone to
| be banged around his neck"-he seemed
to hear the words Of the Son of Man
'than that one Of these little ones
should perish" Who was to blame?
Was it the social system? Was it the
selfish wealth? Was it political dis
! honesty? Was it definite Individual?
I This child-weak, deformed, helpless
did it not need the strength and beauty
of q whole universe thrown about it in
loving protection? Instead Of that
flung like some vile thing among the
rotting, loathsome, crawling things Of
the lowest physical world, it had gone
out Of world of black horrors, cling
ing childishly to q bit of artificial
fragrance that was practically all the
touch it ever knew Of the abounding
perfume Of flower bedecked earth.
Poor little soul! Will not God take
him and hold him long in his bosom Of
infinite pity? And will it be unjust if
an impossible gulf yawns between
him and the Dives who on earth tasted
all the physical delights, but let the
dogs lick the sores of the beggar at his
gate, proud Of his charity in finging to
him the crumbs Of the feast? For is
not that about all that wealthy Chris
tendon mas so far flung at the dying
beggar Of the slum, after 1000 years OF
luxurious civilization?
"Now then, young man, is there any
thing more?''
His profound reyerie was suddenly
interrupted by Randall.
''The service?"
"The service. I will see to that"
els there any minister" Gordon
asked firmly, for he knew enough from
what he had heard from the residents
to know that in many cases there We're
no religious services Of any kind and
horrible haste and tumult that partook
of the savasery Of brute nature.
Tommy Randall paused before he
answered, Weighing somewhat careful
" just how far he could so.
! What business is it Of yours, young
fellow?'
Gordon silently showed him his In
spector's badge.
lymph! Board of health! Does the
honora BILE body authorize you to man
age funerals"
81: does" replied Gordon boldly.
"E[ow's that?" Randall asked sharp
ly.
"The duties of tenement inspectors"
Gordon went on calmly, "are clearly
defined in section u, 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-
ties and, if no other authorized body is
in charge, to arrange whatever IS nee
essary for the welfare Of the family
in the matter of burial, etc. I consid-
er, therefore, that am acting fully
within the limits Of my authority when
l say I 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
mistake he had made when Gordon
suddenly asked, with the simplicity
that came from part ignorance Of the
power the boss really had:
''By what authority are you here in
charge Of this funeral?'
Tommy Randall gesped. For the
first time in years he grew pale with
rage, and at first Gordon thought the
man was going to strike him.
"By what authority, you msolent
puppy? I'll teach you by what au-
thority! This is my ward, III have
you understand my ward, do you
hearw
Il hear you quite well, sir. You do
not need to talk to make the dead
hearw
John Gordon spoke with a heart on
fire as he realized with gleam Of in
stinctive loathing Of the man his dia-
bolical hold on the people. "Come out
here and say what you have to say.
It is not decent for Us to be having all
this IN the room
he turned in great heat Of anger
that instantly cooled as be went out
in the corridor, and Randall followed
him, in spite Of himself as it seemed,
md the curious, gaping. crowd, mostly
women, thronged around to see the
row between Tommy Randall, the au-
tocrat of Ward Is, and the slim, pale
faced, we'll dressed gent" who had
suddenly stepped into the arena alone
against the whole political machine.
"He's up against it!'' chuckled an
old woman.
Tommy will do him up brown"
said g young man who loafed against
the broken railing Of the corridor and
spit tobacco juice down on the heads
Of the children in the court below.
Gordon again was the first to speak.
He was not aggressive, but perfectly
firm aud calm.
Have you any legal authority for
naging affairs here?" he asked, and
Randall again made movement
| which looked like a threat Of physical
! violence.
"It is none Of your business The
sentence came out with IN explosion
of profanity that delighted the crowd.
81 am regularly appointed by the
board of health as legal officer. Do l
| understand that you are an officer OF
the city? Do you have a legal, official
authority in these premises" Gordon
asked calmls The question was so
simply put that its very simplicity
| sta ccered Tommy Randall. He stared