The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-02-11

Away out at the west end OF
Main avenue, In cold and squalid
shack perched on the river bank
at the chilling waters edge, Mrs.
n. A. Ludwig, sick and destitute,
Il tossing in the fortunes OF
fever on meager bed. Little wood
ts there to burn and for food only
q few hard crusts Of bread.
Hungry, yet In baby Innocence
Of why he should be so, a little
nephew, aged about four years,
PAGES the floor from morning till
night pleading his necessity OF
warm and wholesome food. Pale
and emaclated, fairly shaking with
weakness from lack of proper
nourishment, another little fellow
aoed 10, brother Of the invalid
wife, sticks bravely to his school
Ing with only few bites Of food
each day.
With pain and hunger ruling
the little rented home, Mrs. L. E.
Van Valkinburgh, the mother,
aged, bent and gray, who for three
years has been her own provider,
IL tramping feebly through the
city seeking employment for her
self and aid for her daughter and
the little fellows at home. For
more than a week these conditions
haze prevailed, and only now, with
wo6d and food gone, an appeal Is
made In their behalf to Spokane's
generous people. Their home 10
at 1909 Main avenue.
Mrs. Ludwig has been an invalid
for more than a year. In the hos
pftal q few months ago she under
went a double operation, and now,
though weak from lack Of nourish-
ment, she is looking ahead to the
time when she may have enough
more money and is strong enough
to submit again to the surgeons
knife that her life may be spared.
Added to this terrible burden Is
the fact that her husband, n. A.
Ludwig, 10 In the penitent'ary,
where he was sentenced to an in
determlnate term last May. In
penalizina him the state has visit
ed killing affliction on his family.
The smallest boy about the
house g the son Of another unfor-
tunate sister.
Once In a while few morsels
of food reach the sad little home
from Mrs. Archibald, Mrs. Van
valkinburah's married daughter,
but such times are few, for this
poor woman, too, has three chill
dren whom she must support. Her
husband was killed on county
road work about two years ago.
Mr.. Van Valkinburgh died three
years or so ago at Medical Lake,
leaving his family with little
means and without a home. Mis-
fortune has haunted the Van VAL
kinbureh family ever since that
time. The rent, which was IS per
month when the family took the
place, was paid by Mrs. Archi-
bald, but this month, right In the
midst Of their poverty, the heart
less landlord raised the rent to 81.
One can see through the floor into
the basement and no repairs have
been made to warrant higher rent.
The smallest boy was ravenous.
Iy devouring a crust Of hard bread,
which he was internationally soak
Ing In a cup Of weak tea when a
Press representative called last
niqht. His Juvenile uncle had d.
vided the last crumbs Of their
scant repast with him.
Then, after the little cracked
plate had been thoroughly picked
Of its last tiny piece, both sat back
looking at one another and at the
empty dish.
"NoW Isn't that a shame2" the
eldest asked. I'VE have eaten up
everything In the house and what
will mama and sister do, II mama
don't happen to get help uptown,
and I am so hungry yet, too"
Finally need suggested a re-
course to the oldest boy and he
darted from the house. A minute
later he returned smiling and hold
Ing a half loaf Of bread triumphant
~ above his head.
"a got this for you, sister, from
the colored lady over there. We
will pay her back when we get
Isemething, and anyway you and
mama won't have to 90 clear hun
cry tonight"
BY taking In washing the bent
old lady has managed to provide
meagerIy for her charges up TIL a
week or SO ago, but now this
source furnishes but q few cents
daily and the poor unfortunates
have been down to the last dregs
Of poverty for more than a week.
The family was furnished with
sufficient food last night to tide