Mower County transcript., 1903-06-10
Copyright, 1901, by Charles W. Sheldon y .

Bowen street ana Long avenue anu
High lane. But if you have any heart
in you you cannot be unmoved by the
sight down there. In the name of the
suffering babies and little children 1
beg Of you, Mr.. Marsh, come with me
and see with your own eyes. You lost
a little child once, Mr.. Marsh. | re-,
member Luella telling me, your filst-
born son. In the name of that sacred
memory will you take an interest in
the dying innocent children in your
own tenements?"
In his sudden appeal to this long dis
tant but never forgotten experience
John Gordon made the one plea that
perhaps could have moved Philo Marsh
sufficiently to overcome his repugnance
to every form of human suffering, He
remained silent moment; then, lifting
his eyes to Gordon. he said gravely: =.
Every well, I'll so with you. When
shall we go?' -
II will suit my time to your conven-
ience. 1 would like to have you note
the conditions by day and night. I can
go with you any time"
"Say tomorrow afternoon and night,
then.'
"Will you take dinner with Miss An
drews at Hope House?" John Gordon
ventured to say.
Mr.. Marsh hesitated. "Why. yes,
will if it is customary"
II know Miss Andrews will welcome
you. Tomorrow at 2, if that will suit
you, I will meet you here, and we can
inspect the tenements, take dinner. at 6
and go out again for look at night.
Thank YOU"
John Gordon spoke with quiet but
deep satisfaction. He had scored an
important point. How important he
did not know, but it was a vital be-
ginning to any influence he might hope
to exert over the property owners.
AS he started to go out, Mr.. Marsh
spoke slowly:
"About Lueila? There is no prospect
Of an agreement between your
"Not any that can see."
"I'm sorry" The words were genu-
inc, and John Gordon was touched by
them.
"Thank you, Mr.. NIarsh!' He shook
hands firmly and went out with tear
In his eye, but it was not the same as
father had provoked.
"Thank God! He seems to have a
heart, at leastw John Gordon ex-
claimed as he went down into his Ge-
henna again.
Between and o'clock the next day
Mr.. Marsh and John Gordon were in
Bowen street and standing in front Of
the building on lot 81, known as the
''dumbbell tenement" which, accord
ing to one famous tenement house COM
mission, lis the one hopeless form of
tenement construction. 1t cannot be
well ventila lated; it cannot be well light
ed; it is not safe in case of fire; direct
light is only possible for the rooms at
front and rear. The middle rooms
must borrow what light they can from
dark Railways, the shallow shafts and
the rear rooms. Their air must pass
through other rooms or tiny shafts, and
cannot but be contaminated before it
reaches them."~ (New York tenement
commission, 1894) 2,F ..,i t:::s. ?s.' :. - f.
John Gordon could not help noticing
the shrinking manner Of 4 Mr.. Marsh.
The man seemed to be under an inf1u-
ence that could not be fear or even
compassion. 1t was rather a mingling
Of disgust and; physical dread. .:s. g III H
'Shall we 60 in?" John Gordon said,
looking at his companion curiously.
"Wait moment,'' cried Marsh. II
want to look at the street. s:~4 81
The two men stood still, and the older
for the first time in his life saw a sight
that he had never dreamed could ex-
list in civilized city that was at ieas,
nominally Christian. g. L: .<
1t would be impossible to picture
Bowen street by means Of photo
graph. No skill Of the photographer
or artist could reproduce the scene. and
human language is as weak as the
brush or camera to tell the story.
The street swarmed with children
1t was midsummer and the day itself
was hot, but not one of the hottest ot
the season. There was not tree 81
shrub or flower not a bit of grass, moi
even weed to relieve the. dull, sicken.
ing look Of sun smitten brick and wood
and stone. ssSzS {1tsS VI. 4
In front Of every other house stood a
garbage box, or what had once been
< one. The majority of these boxes were
rotting heaps of boards without covers
overfowing with wet stuff, comp posed oi
decaying vegetables, the 4 sweepings
from the tables Of the people and the
litter Of paper, tin cans and refuse that
had not been disturbed by inspe tors 81
garbage wagons for several weeks
/ There was not a whole piece of side
walk on either side Of the street. Pieces
of rotting plank stood on end or lay
partly over the alleys. ID some cases
thrust down between the decaying tim
I bers, sticking above the regular level
hideons menace. q miserable object