Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-01-10

Il -
until the undertaken somewhat rough
ly, but, as Gordon knew afterward
with no real intention Of being 80
thrust the sliding cover Of the coffin
up in its groove. covering the body
from sight. Tommy Randall took one
end of the coffin, the undertaken took
the other end, and the brief procession
made its way unceremoniously out OF
the room and down to the wagon
which was in waiting on Bowen street
Falmouth went in and spoke few
words of comfort to the mother. who
seemed, now that it was all over, tC
have resigned herself to her usual apa
thy. When the minister came out, Cor
don and the singers were grouped to
gether watching the crowd disperse
from the roofs and back staircases, sc
as to get out on the street and see the
coffin loaded into the wagon.
"This is horrible horrible! Let US gel
out rs soon us posslble!" the soprano
murmured. She was holding a flint
scented handkerchief to her face. The
smoke from the chimneys Of the house
below was drifting in heavy masses
up through the corridor and into the
rooms Of all the apartments that open.
ed OH 1t as the only outlet.
First time ever heard applause at
funeral" the tenor muttered, speak.
ing partly to Gordon. Gordon looked al
the singer quietly and simply said;
"How many Of the people ever heard
first class music? Did you ever think
there Is more than one kind Of hun
ger?"
They all went down the stairway to-
gether. as they had come up, Gordon
as before leading the way. Going down
the alto said: "But this is simply awful.
How can human beings live in such
placesw
"They don't live" Gordon said, ex.
actly as he had said to Mr.. Marsh. "Be
careful Of that step. The stairs are un-
usually clean today. ] Etink Mr.. Ran
dali is responsible for that. I never saw
the corridor so clean as 1t was today"
"Clean" the soprano gasped. 81 shall
never be able to wear this dress again.
This is the most fearfully awful place
was ever in"
Gordon did not say anything until
they were all down and out Of the
court into Bowen street again. Then he
turned to the soprano.
would you and the rest Of the quar-
tet be willing to come down to Hope
House some time this fall and take
part in free concert in the new hall"
T-I-don't know" the soprano look
ed doubtfully at the other singers.
II think I could come" the alto said
little hesitatngly.
Don't believe / could manage.
Haven't time" the tenor answered
shortly.
Gordon shut up like a new knife and
did not say another word until the
party was back OF. Hope House. When
they went out to get the car that went
by at the next block, Falmouth said to
Gordon: Don't get discouraged. But
oh, my God, what human misery, Cor
don, you social settlement people al
ways have to look at! 1t seems to me
the sight would drive you mad after
awhile. The utter hopelessness Of it is
enough to kill the heart of giant"
"God Is not dead" Gordon answered.
He shook hands all around and thanked
Falmouth and the singers, feeling lit
tie ashamed Of his curt silence at the
tenor's refusal to accept his invitation.
Falmouth promised to come down soon
and take tea at Hope House and parted
with Gordon under the impression that
the afternoons experience had brought
them some closer together.
How little any one Of us reckons on
the changes that come into all our plans
by the accidents of life, and yet how
many great events owe their greatness
to apparent tri1es that are called acci-
dents for want Of better name.
Gordon had gone up to see David
Barton that same evening. Barton had
greeted him cheerfully and again as
tonished him by his appearance. They
had fingered long over their evening
talk. and Gordon had interested Barton
tremendously in his account OF the
meeting with Tommy Randall.
"You scored on him." Barton chuc-
Lied
81 don't know. He is deep in certain
directions. But l will know the secret
of his hold. In fact, l think I have 1t
already. He will never best me-" Cor
don answered firmly, but modestly.
They sat on. postponing bedtime until
the clocks struck II.
"Time to put the cough on the SHELF"
Barton said. He had not had spell all
the evening, to Gordon's relief.
Gordon went into his room, which
had windows commanding view Of
the lower part Of the city. .,
He came back instantly and called
to Barton:
"Come here! Look! Isn't that a
fire over near the end Of Bowen street.
Waterside district"
Fright you are!" Barton exclaimed
quickly. 'The Moss street cars Will
take us within block. Let's 60"
David, you ought not to risk
Risk nothing! What's n day or two
more or less! Gomez
Gordon put on his hat. Barton threw
on light overcoat. though the evening
was not cold, and they went down as
fast as possible. AS they passed out
into the Boulevard and ran over to
the next corner to get the first car a
fine mist swept into their faces. Be-
fore the car came the mist had changed
to q drizzling rain and breeze had