Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-14
MISC ELLAN Y.
A Story OF Real Life.

A CORRESPONDENT communicates to the n. Y.
Commercial the following interesting story, show
ing what may be done in the relefof the distress
ed, by kind words, real sympathy and timely char
ity:
In the winter of 1850 my servant entered the
parlor one evening quite late, to inform me that
man who seemed in great distress was at the front
door, saving he had been sent to my address, hear
inq | was one of the ladies Of the Home Mission.
1t was announcement Tor me to see the man at the
time (having party of friends spending the even
ing with me), but felt inclined to help him, and
rave the servant some money to procure his sup
per and lodrinU. and told her to bid him come to
me in the morning.
Next morning he came, looking pale, sick and
emaciated. On inquiry learned that he was an
Enrlishman,-and had been induced to come to
this country to dissipate the melancholy which
settled upon his mind after the death of beloved
wife; he had sufficient means when he arrived
Gin July before) to have kept him several months
until he could have procured a situation, but i'm
mediately on his arrival he had been seized with
a disease which had become chronic, and he had
been obliged not only to spend all his means, but
to dispose of every article of clothing, and in their
stead take up suit which was little else than
had given me this history, was Are you strictly
temperate man2' Yes, marm, an. You can
have no proof but my word, but am in every
sense strictly temperate man. Although my ap-
pearance is sadly the reverse of the condition you
expect to find an honest, sober man in There
was such an air of sincerity in all ne said, and
withal such a wO-begone expression OF counten-
ance, that | felt all the sympathy In my heart a.
reused.
sent TO neighbor who had kindly offered tc
assist me when true case presented ,iof a suit o
mems clothes. They were sent, including hat
boots, SC. gave him money for his breakfast
and shaving. told him to take the clothes and re-
turn to me in the course of the day. He left with
great thankfulness, and about two hours aiterwarc
called again, looking like another being, and i'm
ARMED he looked even better in health than In the
morning. then feltanyious to know how he had
found his way to the Five Points. He replied
that when his money was all spent, and nothing
remained in prospect but death in the poor-house
he thought of some friends who had left England
some years before, (but who were in very reduced
circumstances that were living in New York
somewhere. He succeeded in finding them ii
Anthony street, near Cow Bay, and they kindly
offered to give him corner of their room to lie
upon out tHey "eie 50 poorly On 'he'h'0i'.o 'o
| food, that he must make what effort he could tC
obtain what he needed, and they would charge
nothing for reut, He then learned that the socle
ty of the Ladies' Home Mission would help him
to clothes, and might possibly obtain situation
for him.
The more saw of the man the more enlisted
my feelings became, and the strong intelligence
which marked his conversation, proved to me hi
had been both well bred and educated. inquir
ed what business he thought he could engage il
with his weak state of health. He said he hat
been IAN out door clerk at home and wrote even
ings;' and his doctor had said he should try ant
find some out door employment new. Iasked hin