News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-01-14

looms aud vaudeville halls uAe an oasis
Of refuge and strength. Saloons tC
right and LETT and front and rear, with
piles Of brick and wood and rubbish
flung together in chaotic, tUmbled
heaps, with openings for human be
iugs who slreamed in and out Of court
and alley and doorway or sat in pallid
huddled masses on the stoops or curb
ing formed tht frame in which Hope
House was set, unique ana alone.
John Gordon left the car one block
from Hope House and walked down
past five saloons in the block until he
came to the arched entrance Of the
house. Going into the little court, he
! breathed a sigh Of relief at the sight Of
the familiar 3leander tubs that stood
against the outer wall Of the court and
marveled at their ability TO blossom
with such freshness in such surround
ing.
"If oloandc2a ever had any fragrance
/ in this part Of the city, they must
almost smell of beer and sewer gas, "
! he said to himself as he went on into
| the broad hail that opened on the court.
! He was by no means Il stranger to
| Hope House. Since his return from
| abroad he had been a frequent visitor
and had been welcomed with that in
ner welcome that springs from well
4 known common purposes.
You are just in time" called out a
| quiet but cheerful voice as John Gordon
stepped into the doorway of the dining
hall. Miss Manning is absent. You
may take her seat by me-"
Il count myself fortunate" John Cor
don replied as he took the seat, re-
turning the greetings of those at the
table.
1--WE were talking about you" said
the head Of the house, with her quiet
but earnest manner.
I'm sorry to interrupt the converga-
tion," replied John Gordon.
mo interruption, we assure you. We
are glad you came in, for you are the
only person who can answer a ques-
ton Mr.. Ford just asked"
Rather a personal question Mr..
Gordon" said Ford, a student from
the university, who was a resident of
several months standing. "The ques-
ton | asked Miss Andrews was this
What is Mr.. Gordon going to do? VIII
he possibly come in here with usY "
John Gordon did not answer the
question at once. He knew the com
plete freedom Of the social atmosphere
of Hope House. especially at meal
times ard understood well that his 81
lence would not be misconstrued as
discOurtesy.
He looked around the circle Of ear
nest, friendly faces at the table, and
his gaze included, as it had many times
before. the room itself, with its high,
dark wainscOting, its few but choice
portraits, its plain but attractive home
likeness; but, as on every other occa-
face Of the head of the house, for she
was the genius Of the place.
Grace Andrews was in her thirty
sixth year. At the time John Gordon
first met her at Hope House she had
been in charge of the settlement for
twelve years Twelve years Of asso-
citation with desperate human prob
lens such as those that swarmed like
the people themselves had left on her
face marks of that human, divine
! calmness that all great women bear
who have loved the people. If Grace
Andrews did not impress strangers or
visitors rs being great in any real
II .
face spoke Of a quiet peace that SO
many people specifically associate
with meeknesS, but do not consider as
an element of power The residents of
Hope House understood all that. and
the Oldest residents understood it bet
ter than the youngest and had more
unquestioned reverence for the great
ness of Grace Andrews than those
who had less knowledge of her.
1t was with deepening conscious
ness of what this woman was and of
her wonderful life and influence that
John Gordon came into her presence.
| He had met her during his university
career when some special studies mad
taken him down to Hope House. And
one of the first places he had visited on
his return from abroad had been the
dining room with it's fellowship life
presided over by that central figure
! that dominated the entire group. 1t
/ was at that first meeting that he had
! frankly told her and the residents
something of his religious experience
and it's bearing on his life work. 1t
was that frank confidence that had led
up to the question by Ford.
"Well?" Miss Andrews finally said
as John Gordon seemed ready to speak
after looking at her so intently. Dur
ing his silence the conversation at the
table had gone on in a quiet but nat
ural fashion. Every one in Hope House
always gave every one else perfect
freedom for his personality, and no
one felt at all disturbed when John
Gordon did not reply at once to the
students query. They all paused in
their talk when he spoke.
1--WE been thinking of it. l would
count it an honor to be part of your
family" He spoke to Miss Andrews,
but included all the table with ges-
ture. I'm still in some doubt concern
ing my future. / am sure you are
enough interested in me to care to
know that | have left my own home