Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-04-04
VOL. 3.----N0. "a.
Good morning, gentlemen. L

A poor man belonged TO the church had
recently died leaving widow and sever
al small children, the youngest only a
week old. They were exceedingly des.
titute, scarcely possessing sufficient cloth
ing to cover their bodies and almost en-.
tirely without food. They lived in q
4 poor old tenement, which was better a.
dapted TO the brute creation than the a.
bode Of human beings. An effort was
icing made by the members of the con-
gregaton to place them in more COM
Portable situation, and TO supply them
with whatever nccessaries they might
need. r.. ....
You are engaged in a truly laudable
work gentleman, remarked Mrs. Dam
vers after hearing the story. .It is dis
tressing indeed to think of what vast
number of our fellow beings must suffer
at this inclement season of the year. !
often think we are not sufficiently thank
lul for what Providence has bestowed
upon u.s. -.........-.- .................. .
That is melancholy fact replied the
4 pastor. Few of us realize the obliga-
lions we are under TO Heaven, for the
comfortable circumstances in which we
are placed. How apt we are to mur-
mur and repine because some few OF
our friends have few more of this
worlds goods than we have; whereas,
if we were only to think Of the hun
Greds of our fellow creatures, who are
as fully deserving as we, and yet are not
blessed with one tenth part of what we
possess, would not our murmurings and
repinings be changed to songs of praise
and thank fulness. ~
Il think so Mr.. c.; hope you
have been successful in your underta-
king -aa
We have just started, madam; you
are the first we have called upon. We
would like you to head the list ~
The deacon presented the book. Mrs.
Danvers took it and inscribed therein.
Mrs. Charles Danvers. 25,O0.'
She tben returned it, with the amount
subscribed, to the Deacon. a-s d..
"A truly charitable lady, remarked
the minister after they had left the house.
! Il wish for the poor's sake there were
more such. Her name generally stands
at the head of all benevolent undertak-
ings.' ST. --.ags.se q"
Here let us pause a moment and ask
if the private dealings of many of those
whose names are blazoned before the
public as The very personitications of be-
/ nevolence; if their private dealings, we
say, were exposed TO our view, how
many Mrs. Danvers would we find a.
mong them! How many poor seam
stresses and washerwomen have been
robbed lis il too harsh word!) by those
whose deeds of charity are proclaimed
throughout the length and breadth of our
land! ST.. .#- ~.. .afa...e. ....
When Mrs. Danvers returned 10 the
/ parlor, after the departure of the gentle
with herself. This act of benevolence,
she thought had made sufficient amends
for her injustice (for she actually felt il
such) towards Sarah Parks. She we'll
knew the work was worth what Sarah
! had first asked, in fact she had always
paid that; bot. she reasoned, had she not
a right to get it done as low as possible?
! Ma exclaimed Clara, the elder daugh-
ter, some five or ten minutes after the
/ visitors had gone, 'there is to be bench,
for the poor tomorrow evening at the
theaire-won't you go' ba&a
! III your father is willing s.
Just then pleasant, maidenly lady
entered the room. + au .
'Auht Rachel, You'll 60, won't your
Clara continued. sas 3
60 where, chIld'
/ TO the theatre, tomorrow evening
lis for the benefit of the poor
| No, Clara .tsan.
I Aunt, did you say no!' asked, Jane,
looking up from her paper. ar
! Il said no, Jane.' nl ashnra r#G
.Whyln not! nj, at
i dom. approve of going TO the thea
! tre.' ssJ x zr.a.f1t f-.,5
.What! not when it is for the poor!
thought you were such friend to
lhem.' 5 ga afg
Idon't think my going to the theatre
| would do them much good
Certainly it will, sister, said Mrs.
Danvers. The more that are there, the
larger will be the amount of profits real
lied and of course, the benefit arising
therelrom to the poor will be in proper
tion.' ,...s .fgs ,.......
DO you expect TO go, sister Danvers!
1T isqui,e probable
The girls, toos - ,.5n
Yes G..3 ffsaga t,raE
Charles W i'll accompany your
of course--we should not go without
him. s4 g.7s8
The whole price of the tickets. then will
PROBABLY amount to five dollars. Sup
pose, now, you were to give that amount
TO some poor family that is actually in
need, do you not think il would do much
more good!' ~, is.
That was question which neither Of
them cared to answer, and iaus the sub
ject was dropped. Aunt Rachel soon af-
ter left the room.
How meant exclaimed Clara, as
soon as her aunt was out OF hearing.
'Meanv replied her sister. She's