Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-01-07

litical security Of his position.
There was one quality that John
Gordon possessed, however, that made
him formidable. He was fifteen years
younger than this man, and he had
practically no experience In that world
which was the only world In existence
for Tommy Randall. But he had a
faith in God that was as profound as
the other mans political creed, and In
his love for the people he was pre-
pared in acting on that creed to 6 "
lengths that were within human Il
bility. If Gordon was ignorant Of n
my Randall's strength. the boss W. !. no
less ignorant of this young mans inner
sources Of persistent and tireless
strength that would inevitably come to
his assistance in the struggle that was
beginning in that wretched tenement.
with Il child's death as witness to the
grim contest.
81 have been asking Mrs. Caylor
what arrangements have been made
for funeral service" Gordon spoke
quietly. IF no other minister has
been engaged. l think can get Mr..
Falmouth of Nazareth church to come
down."
Tommy Randall walked up to John
Gordon and deliberately looked him
ovcr. Gordon stood perfectly still and
never moved a muscle as his eyes
looked straight into the older mans.
"The service has all been arranged,
young man." Randall said finally. A
sound Of shuffiing steps was heard on
the broken stairs and along the cor
ridor. and two men appeared with a
coffin.
"Ah! There you are. Abrams! That's
more like it. Don't try to palm of
another one of your rotten boxes on
mo or you'll hear from ME. eh? Put
it OH the tnble." Then. as two chill
dren came into the room at the heels
of the two men who brought the cof-
fin. Gordon was astonished to see RAN
dali pat them Oh the head kindly and
say: Now. then. lads. out of the road.
] can't stop now"
The children went out Of the room,
and Randall hustled In and out, order
ing chairs and helping place the body
Of Louie in the coffin. Gordon came
up to the table to look at the little
face. FOR Louie had been partly de-
formed. and his face was like baby's.
He looked down ut the figure and
noticed that one hand was clinched
tight. STOPPING little lower, by the
dim light Gordon recognized his own
little gift when he had gone In with
Mr.. Marsh. 1t was u sample bottle Of
perfumcry. and the child had clung to
it in the darkness. dying in the horrible
| filth Of his surroundings. and, as Cor
don learned some time afterward. lit
orally covered with vermin.
John GorGon's tears fell on the face
as he felt that here was one Of Gods
little ones against whom somebody
had sInned. Better for q milestone to
be hanged 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 1t definite individual?
This child-weak. deformed, helpless
did it not need the strength and beauty
of a whole universe thrown about 1t In
loving protection? Instead OF that,
flung like some vile thing among the
rotting, loathsome, crawling things of
the lowest physical world. 1t had gone
out of q world of black horrors, cling
ing childishly to bit Of artificial
fragrance that was practically all the
touch it ever knew Of the Astounding
perfume of q 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 OH earth tasted
all the physical delights, but let the
dogs lick the sores Of the beggar at his
gate. proud of his charity in flinging to
him the crumbs Of the feast? For is
not that about all that wealthy Chris.
tendon has 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 reverie was suddenly
! interrupted by Randall.
"The service?"
1.-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
to know that In many cases there were
no religious services of any kind and
horrible haste and tumult that partoob
of the savagery Of brute nature.
Tommy Randall paused before be
answered. weighing somewhat careful
ly Just how far he could go.
What business is it Of yours, young
fellow?"
Gordon silently showed him his in
spector's badge.
"Umph! Board of health! Does tht
honorable body authorize you to man
age funerals"
ut does" replied Gordon boldly.
"How's thatY" Randall asked sharp
ly.
1.-THE duties Of tenement Inspectors
Gordon went on calmly. "are clearly
defined in section II. article 4. OF tn
regulations of the state board of health
That article distinctly says 1t shall b'
the duty Of the inspectors. In case Of
death occurring In districts under IN
spection, to notify the proper authori
tics and, IL no other authorized body II
In charge, to arrange whatever is nee