The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-19
(Contnued.l
copnt0ht, 1901, bv Charles N. sheldon

had come to Barton on the day of his !
death, and still remained unopened. |
The first letter was written IN fine, !
close style, but remarkably legiblo and
free from wavcring or uncertain end
ings
Mr. David Barton:
Ny Dear slr--The promise made TO
your friend Mr. Gordon that | would
write YOU after seeing my grandson is a
promise ! take pleasure In fulfilling here |
with
My grandson has recovered his health
10 a large degree, but the physicians say
he must remain in this climate or he Will
be In danger OF collapse. This IL dis
appointment to me personally, as l had
hoped 10 take him back with me TO Sa-
lem. The Lord and sometimes the physi-
clans know better than we do, and am
resigned to the Lords win anyhow and
to the doctors unless this Is a scheme
on their part TO make something out OF
my grandson's case. shall stay here un-
ti / find out
Mr.. Barton, sir words OF mine cannot
say to you the deep gratitude feel for
the great Kindness you showed my poor
wandering grandson. When you stopped
him that night aud put your hand OF his
shoulder and said loving wkd TO him,
yQl saved him from SOMETHING worse
than death Of the body lie was on the
point OF cursing God and dying. The Lord
bless YOU sir. anu give YOU peace. q
Now. ! realize. OF course, that you are
not one to desire reward other than that
which comes to 'very brave soul that does
it's duty. but ! AN rich old woman, with
no relatives except this boy out here, and
} would count II a great honor to be privi-
legged 10 DO something with portion or
my means !n some way that you might
suggest. In ciC Ike yours there are, or
course. very MANY causes that appeal 10
your humanity What makes your heart
ache tho hurdsU2 let mo know where
few thousand dollars viii DO The most
good. J ha," looked INFO your face. sir.
though you never saw mine aud know
fun well that the time here with you ts
bricf. Thanh God, sir, st hns been brave.
When YOU and meet on the other side,
the Gfty and iiyv odd years difference IN
our lives VIII nJt by amy gulf between US,
for my hosr, lus lever grown old. ana
shall Dec rCioiccd To- count you among the
noble friends who have made life worth
while. . The captain will be glad 10 meet
you. Tell him / have not forgotten how
he looks and hope he has not changed
overmuch am. sir, with great respect
ana gratitude, faithfully yours.
MRS CAPT. GEORGE EFFlNGllAM.
The allusion to the captain made
Gordon smile n little. hut his face re-
gained its usual quiet seriousness as
he took up the second letter and slow
: ly opened and read IL.
MIR. David Barton:
My Dear Frlend--I hasten at once 10
| answer your reply 70 my letter, for your
| words assure me that the days are few
| for you on the earth God grant you
peace. sir both OF mind and spirit.
What you say about your friend Mr.,
Gordon and the work he is doing interests
me exceedingly. have read "A little about
/ Miss Andrews, and / believe I'm what she
Is doing. II either she or Mr.. Gordon will
write me stating the immediate needs Of
| the settlement. l Will send something.
| The only condition | make ie a request
| that my name be not used anywhere In
! connection with the gift i don't want TO
, see my name over a doorway THE Mrs.
/ Captain George Eningham Retreat or
1.-THE Mrs. Captain George Ehingham
| Free Reading Room and Library" Aside
| from that don't care what Is done with
! the money, only / want 10 know how
much win do something real well. Ike
the idea OF putting Il into something that
| will help children. Why on earth any
one wants TO live In city II he can 1--we
| anywhere else Is a puzzle to me. but after
they once get there / suppose we can't
ask too many questions about a. AZ
| least asking the questions viii not relieve
the situation that has already been made.
1 am sure the captain will be pleased
with the use made OF hts money II he
I asks you any questions about IL. tell him
| ! have saved enough 10 bury my poor old
| body decently and left the house and fur
| nishings 10 the East India Marine mu-
scum lie need not worry about any
thing.
II you are not able 10 answer this, turn
the whole matter over 20 your friend. ]
shall await letter from him or ron
| Miss Andrews. The Lord bless you, sir,
and may he TReet you himself as you pass
over. With respect and affection, your
friend
MRS. CAPT. GEORGE EFFINGHAM
John Gordon reread this letter with
glistening eyes. The hand OF David
Barton seemed 90 reach out OF the
shadows and grasp his own with bis
old hearty benignant cheerfulness.
God bless you. Davidp Gordon said
reverently as he put the letters in his
pocket and hastened down TO Hope
House TO show them 10 Grace An
drews.
As she read her blue eyes grew
thoughtful. IL seemed at last as II
some part Of her desire for the people
was going 70 be gratihed
"She does not say how much she
wants to give" Miss Andrews re-
marked as she finished reading.
mo. only she says, I want 10 kno"
how much wiz do something, real
WELL"
1--WE could use almost any amount
the words were uttered softly and ihe
gaze Of the blue eyes was on the scene
visible from the library windows.
The district burned over was abou'
three blocks on one side Of Hope House
and two blocks on the other Com
pared With the entire tenement district
II was only a black speck on the city
map. The people who were burned
out were now crowded into the otnei
tenements. III conditions or over
crowdlng before the fire were inde
scribable, they were now beyond en-
durance even 10 the Wrefches who
had before endured the indescribable
The city had begun the work Of clean
Ing away the debris Ia Bowen street
but progress was slow. Carts were
going by filled with rubbish. Hope
I