The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-12-11

interested him more than the sermon
which was in prospect.
II can't squander money on such
objects" said the merchant, again sud-
denly dropping from warmth to cold.
II can give you letter to the Poor
Children's Home, and at this next
meeting of the Board"
Oh the Board" said the doc
tor, now thoroughly indignant.
Profanity And in my presence I"
exclaimed the merchant. "You shock
me, sir"
"Shock you /" said the doctor.
"Shock you! How have you shocked
me with your lying talk of charity ?
Is it charity to go to fine church, to
listen to a sensational preacher? Is it
charity to go to a luxurious home, to
eat grand dinner, and talk over the
sermon? 4? Is it charity to sit on a vel
vet sofa before a blazing fire-to look
through French plate-glass windows
at the houseless, hungry poor as they
hurry by, and say, God help the
pUor" Shame upon such charity
| -"
"Sir" said Mr.. Cantter. The book
keeper smiled encouragingly upon the
speaker.
"Shame upon such charity, 1 say"
continued he, borne on by the flood of
indignation. "a true, noble charity
is the best thing upon earth; but a
hypocritical charity should be weight
sufficient to damn any soul" And,
slamming the door to, the doctor
strobe away.
81 am truly shocked at that young
mans reckless use of strong terms"
said Mr.. Cantter; "but," he added re-
flectively, "let uH hope that he will
see the error of his ways and repent be.
fore it is too late. hope, Mr.. Strong,
you will take warning from him, and
be more regular in your attendance at
church. BY the way, tomorrow is
Sunday, and you must come to our
church and hear Mr.. Highfalutin on
Charity"
The doctor, dishearteued at his re
buff, and thoroughly indigant at the
hypocrisy of which he had been wit
ness, paused irresolutely upon the cor
ner, and as he stood there he heard a
quick step behind him; then a hand
hurriedly thrust small roll Of money
: into his; and turning he was just in
time to see Mr.. Cantter's book keeper
disappearing in the gloom. The sum
was small but it was sufficient for the
purpose, and, with lighter heart, the
doctor went his way to Dead Mans
row.
A narrow, filthy passage-wsy be-
tween two houses lead from the fine
thoroughfare into q narrow, filthy
court, and at the end of the court
stands Dead Mans row, Immediately
: in the rear of a fine church-Mr
Cantter's church. Why this name
was conferred upon these tumble.down
, old rookeries | am not able to state.
Suffice it to say that they were so call
ed at the first glance one was apt to
, acknowledge its suitableness.
AS the doctor passed down the
, wretchedloooking court he stopped
one minute to shake his fist at the
church looming up so grandly before
1 him, then opened the door of one o.
the most wretched-lo looking houses in
the block. Up four pairs Of creaking
? swaying stairs he went, and then, hav
ing arrived at the garret, stopped tC
E avoid the sloping root, and entered &
l squalid, comiortless room. There was
no furniture of any kind to be seen
: and no fire. The wind blew in the
e windows and the door, and snow had
drtted in at the same place, and lay il
little piles upon the floor.
! A woman, clothed in rags, sitting
! by straw pallet in one corner of the
J, room, arose as he entered, and looked
at him inquiringly.
n "Yes," he said, latter some trouble,
9 "rhank the Lord for that !" she an
4 swersd fervently. "The poor boy car
die in peace, at any rate"
81 ordered the things sent up. i
i, he asleep"
t Unconscious like" answered tn,
q woman. His brain wauders a littl,
4 at times"
J; A little morsal of a boy lay upoI
a the 5ed-the unmistakahle mark o
;, famine in his face
5 The doctor bent over him, and
e looking into his face a moment
said to the woman, standing silent a
his side:
r His pain is over. He will proba
:, bly, live until morning, but he viii
y never again be conscious"
II "The long night passed, day dawn
a ed, and the boy still lived. The morn
u ing wore on, ahd church time came
Carriages ratified up to the door of tn,
: church and discharged their loads o
silks, satins and broadcloths. Tn,
e bowing ushers opened the doors Of tn,
d crimson.lined, luxurious pews, anC
the congregation slowly assembled.
IS "What do you know ci charity ?
\ thought the doctor. "Eere, no. NOR,
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