Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-04-14
A SINGULAR NARRATIVE.
AND TRUE.

| ;" 'hO "oiiu' "hiis' tuouSanas are en-
Joying the good things of this world,
how many thousands are there who bare
get enough TO save them from starvation.
They are poor sickly unfortuna,es, and
yet. as general thing, the rich grind
the poor. and in fact they seem to have
no human sympathy for the poor and un-
fortunate.
There once lived in the pleasant town
of -, in the State of -, man of
a noble heart. AT the age of 90, he
commenced the provision business, with
$50. His business prospered well for
some eight or ten years, during which
time the poor and needy one was never
sent away empty from his door. In 81
he had saved some $4,000. In 1899,
a sweeping fire consumed all he had
He soon go, situation as a clerk in
store, with just sufficient salary 10 sup
por. his family. In 1886, he commehc-
ed business again. but not getting thai,
as sis,ance from his friends that he need
ed. he soon gave that up. Soon after,
he inherited SAC, 900 cash-SI0,000 of
which he deposited in safe bank, draw
ing four per cent, interest. s#
This amount he did no. intend to draw
for any purpose, only the interest, semi
annually. With the $4,000 he COM
menced the provision business again
not with view to lay UP any more
treasures, for he was satisfied with what
he had, as far as he was concerned-but
what he could make on it he would give
to the poor and unfortunate.
The first years net. profit was 81, 900.
Soon after, an acquaintance of his had
his store and goods all burnt up; al he
h ad in the world. 80, 2,OOO,-his wife be-
ing a sickly woman. with four children.
Our charitable man made inquiries,
and found how he was situated, and his
landlord about to turn him into the street.
because he was afraid he could not pay
the rent; he at once sat down. drew up
check for $1,000, sent il to the bank, got
certificate of deposite payable to the
bearer, and sent ii to the unfortunate ,e
man, saying,-"Use il till you are able
to pay i, back, then hand it some other
unfortunate man. and so keep i. a going
In the same way you have received it,"
Shortly after, hRrd-laboring man
was killed, leaving wife and six chill
dren, who were nearly destitute. Our
charitable man got certificate of depos-
it for $40, and sen. il to the broken
hearted widow, saying, tha, to
help you support and educate your chill
dren." " ss
Regularly at the end of every three
months. did she receive S4O-and she
never knew to whom to return thanks.
Her children were schooled, and brought
up respectfully, and her hear. was made
glad, and she looked on the world with
L joy.
Now, who can tell how many needy
and respectable women might be kept
from the path of vice and sorrow if they
received some little assistance? And
yet our rich men would spend their $50
or $50 every week for wha. does them
no good, bu, leads them on to death and
ruin. ....a
Our charitable friend continued TO
prosper in business, and continued to
contribute TO the needy. At the end of
eleven months, his $1,000 had been used
in charitable purposes. AT the end of
this year, he found that his business
had been very good; he found he had
saved $4,000. This amount he laid a.
side for like purposes.
The last incident which shall record
is most singular:-One of his near neigh
bors was hard drinker, and sometimes
his tamily--which consisted Of lovely
woman and four children-woulG nearly
suffer for the want of food.-(By-the-
way. 'his drinking man was one of the
best of men when sober. 1t should be
borne in mind, that mary who have got
into the habit of drinking are some of
our kindess-hearted men. But 10 pro-
eeed-By chance our charitable man got
to hear of their situation. He o, once
got certificate of deposi.e for s25, aud
sen. it TO the man, when he knew he was
sober, who, when he received il, read,
over and ever again. s the boisom:-
"Take .his to the bank. draw the money,
and have one of the incest sprees you ev.
er had--for your dear family can s'arve
Il