Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-08-14


left he paid the toll.
The sum that had come to examine
this day was a particularly bad one.
Here was building after building,
weathcr-beaten without and dlapidated
and unsanitary within where the most
pressing need OF cheap paint and fresh
wallpaper had been denied. 1t seemed
impossible to believe that such condi-
tons could exist; much more that these
buildings could house hundreds OF
people.
had come out of one Of three such
blocks facing a muddy court, when
found myself face to face with a young
priest who had crossed from an open
door on the other side.
"You are looking about a bit per-
haps," he suggested.
told him briefly why was there and
gave an outspoken expression of what |
thought of the surroundings | had
just left a man in the advanced stages
of tuberculosis and there were nine per-
sons in his family all huddled into three
rooms, one of them without sunshine.
Yes, yes; it is not beautiful he
said, wcarily This is a part OF my
parish. In this block behind me are
eleven of my Portuguese families
Azore Islanders. I have made many
complaints to the authorities. But YOU
see" He shrugged his shoulders sig
nificantly.
So here was part Of an American
Portuguese parish! told him under
what conditions | had found his people
in the Azores and vet how eager they
were to leave their homes to cmigrate.
Was it possible that all were driven to
such straits as this
"Oh, no." he treasured me, with a
shade of annoyance Many had pros
pered and had established themselves in
business; only the times were hard Just
now, the factories were not running on
full time, and many families had been
reduced to want
ut is only at this that I complain"
he said, warming to his subject now that
he fel, assured Of sympathetic listener.
These people are gentle and hone-lov-
ing, and they believed that this great
country would be hundred times better
than their own. And you see what they
have found"
He shook his fist throatcrinqly at the
tenement blocks about him and raised his
voice in anger Filth and poverty and
degradation, and they pay higher for
what they get than people who hire ex-
pensive apartments. They are laughed
at when they beg for the most simple re-
pairs; they are denied even Gods clean
air and the sunshine that has bathed
them at home since the day OF their
birth. And |, their leader, with authority
over them, cannot raise my voice loud
enough to be heard. I, who am teach
ing them to become good citizens of my
adopted country. cannot gain these SIM
pie things that the law ought to compel.
1t is dishonest. Gods curse must some
day fall upon it.'
He stopped abruptly as a fellow coun-
trynan came hurriedly through the mar
row passage that led from the court to
the street and they saluted.
Good morning, Doctor
Good morning, Father
"Nou had better call upon the family
on the top floor" said the priest. ndi-
eating the building from which he had
just come. The old lady sent for me
this morning. She believes that she is
soon to die"
at is a sad case" replied the Portu-
guese physician.
'Tuberculosis?" 7 suggested.
"No," the physician answered, thought |
fully. "She is homesick, and in time she
will die of it
"Homesck!' | exclaimed in surprise.
"She came over from Saint Michael in !
fine ship with the family who have be-
friended her. the physician continued. |
They have had hard time of it, but |
have been very good to her The man,
Marchelis. changed his name to Mar
~ ~.