The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-17

SOLDIERS FAMILIEs.-To the Editor OF
The EVENING TELBGRAPH.-Sir:-Last evening /
had sent me slip from some newspaper, knew
not which of our city papers, unit! an hour
afterwards ! received from citizen the Sunday
Dtspotob, and found the piece to be ia its edito-
rial column.
The writer says that my ''discrimination" in
regard to the objects of my kindness is 'fndefen-
sible." My discrimination is between a ,oorthy
and an unworthy person, between one IN need
and one not IN need. His idea is to give TO all
aadiscrtnlindteh. He can do so yet will carry
out mine, and not do so, and 'vox populin is my
tribunal. Here is NICE worthy, delicate,
modest widow-a soldiers widow-mother of
four helpless children. Her very appearance, It
she had no other recommendation, would tell
you she is acoTthy and needy.
While she tells her sad tale mid her suppressed
emotions and flowing tears, you feel like putting
your purse, with all 1t contains, into her hand,
and with the tenderest words soothing that
weeping heart and wiping away the flowing
tears. Here is another soldiers widow-so she
says-she has no papers to show 1t. She IS abso-
lutely filthy her face bloated, and her breath
strong with alcohol. Is it not 1oiSe TO be discrit-
mating? Give this woman q dollar, she'll drink
it before she goes home; give an order for some
food and groceries, ,pyou are in great doubt as to
whether herself and family shall ever enjoy it,
Yet / never turn away hungry case without
some food.
The second point to which he takes exception
is recommendation from a minister or from
some respectable citizen, endorsed, if possible,
by O minister of the Gospel. He says:-"The
persons who are actually in need of assistance
are not likely to have much acquaintance with
a minister of the Gospel or with q respectable
citizen" Here he is mistaken. l have one hun
dred recommendations on my file, received
during the last week, from rs many cergymen
and laymen, declaring the applicant to be
11o'thy and needy from personal observation Of
the case
Our clergymen know more of the wants of
humanity, and are brought more into contact
with them In their humble homes than the
editor OF the Sunday Dispatch gives them credit
for. And our respectable citizens" mingle
more with the poor and know more of their
wants than the Sunday Dispatch thinks they do.
II case be known to neither clergyman nor
layman, we try to do the best we can with it
visit it, or give according to our judgment Of
the merit of the case.
Another wrong impression might be drawn
from the Dtspdtch's article, viz.:-that my work
only extends to church members and Sabbath
school scholars. There is evident malice in the
whole piece, but this caps the climax. l have
given more aid to individuals having no
church connections than l have to church
members.
would not have noticed the Dispatcb's article,
only for the erroneous impression 1t was calcu-
| lated to make upon the minds OF some of our
citizens. CITY PASTOR.
A STRANGER VIoTIMuzED.-A sharp swim
! die was practsed day or two since upon
! stranger stopping at the Union Hotel. While
| sitting in the bar-room, he was accosted by an
| individual who repres ented that he was a
stranger in the city, and had come in with his
| sister for the purpose of purchasing house
| furnishing articles. The two men got quite init
| mate. A walk up Chestnut street was proposed,
| and the two started out together. The stranger
| thought this friend fine fellow, and the two in
| dulged in long conversation. After proceeding
| a short distance the sharper rushed suddenly
| across the street, at the same time eXclaimng
| '"There is the man bought my furniture FROM
l suppose he's after his pay" The fellow went
into furnishing store, and in few moments
came out and found the stranger, remarking
| eyes, it's as | expected, he wants money!" He
| also added 81 am just 800 short, and will have
| to borrow that amount until we arrive at the
| hotel" The money was torked over instantly.
! Sharper went into the store and IN few mo-
| ments returned with what appeared to be re-
| ceipt in full. The two walked on, and after a
| short time the sharper excused himself and said
| he would meet his friend at the hotel at dinner
| hour. He hasn't since been seen.
A "HoNG Kong House, IN OUR MIDST
The demand for the narcotics which originated in
the East, and have soothed the sorrows of all the
| human race from Mecca TO Minnesota, is so
| great that the increase in frst-clacs establish
| ments for their Importation and sale is never
| sufficient TO exceed the demand In our own
| city there has been abundant field for whole
| sale and retail house for supplying our citizens
| with teas. That field has been we'll covered by
| the opening of the Great Philadelphia Tea
House of Boyd Co., corner of Twelfth and
| Market streets.