New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01

the quiet woman took to be hollow shell
Most Of the inside woodwork OF the lower story
had been carted away piecemeal for hrewood.
probably. But a rickety stairway led to some
upper rooms, and there lived German widow
with her son, who was helpless ep1eptic, but
whom she strenuously refused to send to an in
sttution. On the occasions when size left him
to fetch her work from the sweat shop he gen
orally contrived to do himself some injury, and
it was one of these wounds which the nurse had
called to dress. Then the nurse gossiped with
the mother. a voluble. full Tipped creature in
spite of her woes; and the quiet woman gazed
with covetous eyes on a wonderful old carved
Swiss clock that stood on the bureau.
I'D give anything to possess that clock she
said to the nurse when they were on the street
Sometimes you see beautiful things in these
tenements pewter dishes brought over from the
old country. things collectors would give their
eyes for" said the nurse. Il often feel like bar
gaining for them. but it seems rather mean to
take away from the people the few treasures
they possess"
why are these tenements 50 flthy?" asked
the quiet woman, as they walked along. There
are tenement inspectors. aren't there?''
Eyes, there are inspectors returned the nurse
Il encountered one last week. She-lt was
wOman-swept into the room so grandly that the
family. which was uncOmmOnly large one.
lined up against the wall and simply gazed at
her in silence She didn't notice me, but sweep
ing over to the sink, This IS not right she
said. this must be removed and sweeping to
the fire escape, This is not right she said,
this must be reported and so on around the
room and out. As she vanished I looked at the
family. You know the typical Jewish shrug?
That whole famiy-father. mother. grandfather.
two big boys and girI-gave one shrug In
unison. as if they were worked by spring
They shrugged. they looked at each other. and
that was all The tenement inspector was not
again heard from"
AS they threaded their way along Henry-st.
the nurse spoke to a boy, a hunchback. with
piercing eyes and a strongly marked face.
THAT is Abraham" she said. "a wonderfully
interesting boy. I often see him at the club
house. where I go to play whist with the boys.
There's simply nothing Abraham hasn't read
even Plato and Aristotle-and he has the keen
est mind. But plenty OF these boys are so well
read that they fairly startle you Now IL is
time for luncheon at the settlement. I'm sorry
you can't come and lunch with US. By the way,
you can't guess what were going to have to-
night-a leg party. No. it's not a dance, but all
the old women who are queer in their legs. who
have varicose veins, or milk leg, or no legs at
all. are to be trundled to the settlement house
somehow. and amused for the evening Wen. IL
you really can't stop for luncheon. I'll walk to
the with you"
AS they turned the corner group Of children
came along. They all knew the nurse and
chung around her. but one Of them. a pale little
creature. hung back The others looked at her
scornfully. shes Kristr' they said. with con-
tempt
The child hung back still further. but the
nurse took her hand. and held it Are you a
Krist q said the nursa.
YES" the child faltered-
We'll" said the nurse to her. 'TuS a Krist.
too And the child was comforted