Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-12-07


charity, to be effective, must be we'll di
rected. You must come to our churcl
next Sunday. We have the fines
preacher in the city, and, as his sermon
is upon charity, you will no doubt bt
able to profit by his suggestions"
d" But about the boy" said the doctor
fearful that the conversation woulG
wander away from the subject which in
terested him more than the sermon
which was in prospect.
81 can't squander money on such OBJ
Jects," said the merchant, again sudden
ly dropping from warmth to cold. 81
can give you a letter to the Poor Chill.
drens Home, and at the next meeting
of the Board"
"D-n the Board p said the doctor,
now thoroughly indignant.
Profanity! And in my presence 7"
exclaimed the mendicant. "You shock
me, sir"
"Shock your said the doctor.
"Shock you! How have you shocked
me with your lying talk of charity? Is
it charity to 60 to fine church, to listen
to a sensational preacher? Is it charity
to go to luxurious home, to eat a
grand dinner, and talk over the SER
mon? Is it charity to sit on velvet
sofa be ore a blazing fire-to look
through French plate-glass windows at
the houseless, hungry poor as they hur
ry by, and say, God help the poor p
Shame upon such charity"
"Sir p said Mr.. Cantter. The book
keeper smiled encouragingly upon the
speaker.
Shame upon such charity, l say"
continued he, borne on by the food of
Indignation. "A true, noble charity is
the best thing upon earth; but hypo-
critical charity should be weight suffi-
cient to damn any soul. And, slam.
ming the door to, the doctor strobe
away.
81 am truly shocked at that young
mans reckless use of strong :erms,'
said Mr.. Cantter; "but," he added, re.
flectively, let us hope that he will see
the error of his ways and repent before
it is too late. | hope, Mr.. Strong, that
you will take warning from him, and be
more regular in your attendance at
church. By the way, tomorrow is Sun.
day, and you must come to our church
and hear Mr.. Highfalutn on Charity"
The doctor, disheartened at his re.
buff, and thoroughly indignant at the
hypocrisy of which he had been a wit
ness, paused irresolutely upon the cor.
ner, and as he stood there he heard
quick step behind him, then hand
hurriedly thrust small roll of money
into his; and turning, he was just in
time to see the form of 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-way between
two houses leads from the fine thor
oughfare into a 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 ever conferred upon
these tumble down old rookeries | am
not able to state. Suffice it to say that
they were so called, and at the first
glance one was apt to acknowledge its
suitableness.
AS the doctor passed down the wretch
ed-looking court he stopped one minute
to shake his fist at the church looming
up so grandly before him, then opened
the door of one of the most wretched-
looking houses in the block. Up four
pairs of creaking, swaying stairs he
went, and then, having arrived at the
garret, stopped to avoid the sloping
roof, and entered squalid, comfortless
room. There was no furniture of any
kind to be seen, and no fire. The wind
blew in at the windows and the door,
and snow had drfted in at the same
place, and lay in little piles upon the
floor.
woman, clothed in rags. sitting by a
straw pallet in one corner of the room,
arose as he entered, and looked at him
inquiringly.
dyes" he said, "after some trouble"
"Thank the Lord for that p she an
swered, fervently. "The poor boy can
die in peace, at any rate"
" l ordered the things sent up. Is he
asleep?'
Unconscious like" answered the
woman. ellis brain wanders little at
times"
A little morsel of boy lay upon the
bed-the unmistakable mark of famine
in his face.
lAc ooCtoi OCAp oScI AlIl, iuu, lOoh-
ing into his face moment, said to the
woman, standing silent at his side:
"His pain is over. He will probably
live until morning, but he will never
again be conscious"
"The long night passed, day dawned,
and the boy still lived. The morning
wore on, and church time came. Car.
riages ratified up to the door of the
church and discharged their loads of
silks, satins and broadcloths. The bow
ing ushers opened the doors of the
crimson.lined, luxurious pews, and tie
congregation slowly assembled.
"What do you know of chrity?"
thought the doctor. Here, not more
than twenty feet from the pulpit of your
church, poverty reigns supreme; yet not
one of you all ever took the trouble to
look here for a field of usefulness. You
give little from your abundance, and
plume yourselves upon your charitable
hearts and from that poor woman by
the bed you might learn much. She
cheerfully gives what she can-her time
in behalf of a boy she never saw be-
fore, and-'
The organist of the church COM
menced the voluntary, and an exclama
ton from the woman brought the doc
tor to the bed. The little sufferers
moved uneasily; ther a smile came up
on his wan face, a far-away look into his
eyes.
| &C hear nua;c - he muruured Was