Smyrna times., 1870-01-12
MiSceIIUn eOWS.
Dorsey, the Eccentric Philanthropist.
The Hartford C0uront saws.

The Hartford COurdnt says:
III. @. Dorsey, the Rhode Islander who has
given to his own and other States funds the
annual income of which should be expended in
roast turkeys, once a year, for the inmates of
the penitentiaries, is thus described He is
printer bv trade, and conducts an extensive
and lucrative business. He keeps no books,
but does everything strictly upon the cash prin
ciple. He makes no return OF income to the
internal revenue department. The following
scene is said to have occurred. Enter United
States Assessor:
:" Mr.. Dorsey, what was your income last
year?'
Cant say. Keep no accounts. You see
by that card nay terms are cash, and live up
to them. Never put down one cent with
pen.
Can you not give me some idea of your re-
ceipts2"
90 Not the slightest Have made bargain
with the Almighty that will never be richer,
and carry out the contract to the letter. Am
giving away ali along through the year, and al
the end of the year have from two thousand to
three thousand dollars left to spend in giving
prisoners roast turkeys. Put on what you
please by way of tax, and if you should after
ward become dissatisfied, come again and take
| another crack.
Il ventured to ask on what income he was
assessed.
ooh / replied he, 'on some four thousand
or FIVE thousand dollars
He informed me that he comprised socie-
ty by himself, of which he was President, Trea.
surer, Secretary, and Board of Directors, and
that while the poor of his own town were bis
chief care, be had benefciaries in many differ
ent States. He said that he was formerly
much annoyed by applications for loans by per
sons in want, many of VIII )m he accommodated
but rarely. got any returns. He has, therefore
posted this notice over the door of his shop
which is more forcible than elegant, and is Ger
tainly free from all tincture of Puritanism:
60 SIGN PAINTING.
sToPl
No GdnnttdRce here except on business.
don't mind giving to The needy. D-R the
lending
"Mr. Dorsey apologized for the roughness o.
this notice by saying that it was not meant TO
profanity, but only for emphasis, and recalled
! our Savior words addressed to the Scribes anC
Pharisees: Ye serpents, ye generation o.
. vipers how can ye escape the damnation oil
! hell?' Last year Mr.. Dorsey offered to the heaC
of certain prison two hundred dollars on con
dition that he would give his prisoners q roas
turkey dinner. The sum was accepted on tha
3 condition. He afterwards learned that tn,
I birds were boiled instead of roasted; and h
: sued for a recovery OF the two hundred dollars
. on the ground Of breach of contract. In re
4 lating the circumstances, he remarked: l
? the old gentleman, on the return OF his prodi
q gal son, had said, Boys, now kill the fatte,
g calf and roast it for the feast of welcome,
1 how would he have felt if, on going into th'
: kitchen. he found them boiling the calf" ii
2 had himself once been in circumstances Il
!, know what exquisite pleasure roast Dime
+ : afforded to one who had long been living Of
3 sodden food, and he then and there resolves
Z that If he ever had the means he would pro
: vide a roast once year at least for class O
5 men who seldom get anything but boiled food.