Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-01-15
WILMINGTON. TUESDAY. JANUARY Is. 1867.


1t was sloeting fast. Evening was falling.
The streets were almost deserted.
Suddenly voice at my elbow said, al am not
ct for work and have eaten nothing to-day"
looked OF the speaker He was an able
bodied man, but had lost both arms by nmpu-
tation; be was evidently discharged soldier.
lie was pale, too, az if from recent sickness, or
from soanty food. He had on an DID, thread
bare coat.
My first impulse was to give him something.
But my coat was buItoned tight; l could not
easily uubuttOn it and continue to hold my
umbrella aud book; and to crown all, the street
car for which had been waiting at that mo.
ment came up.
haven't nothing to-day" said, turning
from the man and beokoning to the driver.
l heard sigh, as turned, and was on the
point of reoontidering my decision, but 1 re-
aected that II l missed this car l should have
to wait ten minutes in the road. "a Besides" 1
said to myself, "somebOdy else will be sure to
give him something"
But my, heart smOte me, when, on looking
after the man, saw him go sadly down the
street with bent head. Once thought Of stop
ping the car, overtaking the man, and giving
him half dollar. But while hesitaied, the
car passed the corner, and he was out Of sight.
1t was too late. =Hl.
did not eat my dinner, that day, with the
usual appetite. l could not get that wan face
out of my mind At times the victuals seemed
to choke me. What if he really was starving
and no one would help himl
Ali through the evening the mans look haunt
ed me. In vain my little daughter, seeing me
abstracted, sang her sweetest ballads. In vain
my wife sought to 'cheer me up" as she said.
even dreamed of the man. If had known
where to find him, would have gone the next
day, to satisfy myself that he had received
assistance. l,.
But the impression gradually wore off. There
is 50 much suffering now in great cities, thai
almost every one becomes hardened to it, l
pursuaded myself finally that the man had been
helped by others. (" There are SO many societies
to aid soldiers" said. 1t was uncomfortable
to think otherwise.
One morning, about four days after the inter.
view, my wife was reading the paper, when she
suddenly laid it down, and cried, "How shock
ing
do not know how it was, hut felt sudden
chill. | thought instantly OF that mans wan
face. But said carOlessly, as I broke my egg,
What is it, my dear?"
"ohl such horrible story. discharged
soldier, his wife and two children, dying o.
starvation. At least the wife is dead, and ont
of the children not expected to live. None have
had anything TO eat for four days They wer'
found in en- old clubhouse. The husband il
said to have lost both arms at Gettysburg"
My hand trembled so much that, lopg beforl
my wife finished, I had been compelled to Ia.
down my egg unopened. She was looking a
the paper and did mot see me.
bad no appetite after that. rose imme
diaiely, and hastened down town, for was sur
this was the man whose petition had rejectel
l went straight to see him. had the pape
in my pocket and it directed me to the mise
rable out.house, where the sufferers had bee
found.
Quite a crowd had been collected outsid,
But policeman at the door permitted no on
to go in. He knew me. however, aud on m
expressing my wish, allowed me to enter.
A sheet, furnished by some poor neighbol
was spread over still Waxen face in the cornel
little girl was sobbing beside it and ma
bowed with grief sat at the foot At the soun
of my footsteps he looked up. 1t was the sam
wan face had repellcd at the corner Of til
street.
Since that day have never turned away fror
old or young who has asked aims. Better Civ
to a thousand who are unworthy than refus
! - IL. :.