Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-12-18

'.But about the boy, said the doc
tor. fearful that the conversation
would wander away from the subject
which interested him more than the
sermon which was in prospect.
81 can't squander money on such
Objects" said the merchant, again
suddenly dropping from. warmth u
cold. II can give you letter to the
Poor Children's Home. and at the
next meeting Of the Board"
"D-n the Board, % said the doctor,
now thoroughly indignant.
Profanity And in my preseneel"
exclaimed the mendicant- You shock
me, SIR
"Sboek your said the DOCTOR
''Shoek goa! d! How have you shocked
me with your lying talk of charity ?
l. it charity to go to fine church, tO
listen to a sensational preacher? Is IL
charity to 60 to luxurious home, to
eat grand dinner, and talk over the
sermon2 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
pOOrP Shame upon such charity
"Sir!n said Mr.. Cantter. The book
keeper smiled encoursgingly upon the
speaker. ..... .--.....
"Shame upon such charity, I say, I"
continued he. borne on by the food of
Indignation. "a true, noble charity
is the best thing upon earth but b
hypocritieal charity should be q
weight sufficient to damn any soul u
And, slsmming the door to, the doe
tor strobe away.
II am truly shocked at that young
mans reckless use Of strong terms, -
said Mr.. Cantter; "but," be added,
refeetively, "let Us hope that he will
see the error OF his ways and repent
before it is too late. I hope, Mr..
Strong, that you will take warning
from him, and be more regular in
your attendance at church. By the
way, to morrow is Sunday, and YOU
must come to our church and hear
Mr.. Highfalutin on Charity"
The doctor, disheartened at his re-
buff, end thoroughly indignant at the
hypocrisy of which he had been q
witness, paused irresolutely upon the
NOA hEA anu d hC 6lOOa Dc
a quick step behind him then a hand
hurriedly thrust q small roll of money
into his; and turning, he was just in
time to see the form Of Mr.. Csntter's
book keeper disappearing in the
gloom. The sum was small, but II
was sufficient for the purpose, and
with a lighter heart, the doctor weni
his way to Dead Mans row.
A narrow, filthy passage-way be-
tween two houses leads from the fine
thoroughfare into q nsrrow, filthy
court, and at the end of the court
stands Dead Mans row, Immediately
in the rear of a fine ehurch-Mr.
Cantter's church. Why this name
was ever conferred upon these tumble
down old ruokerles, am not able tC
state. Suffice it to say that they were
80 called, and at the first glance one
was apt to acknowledge its suitable.
ness. ..-- .---.-
AS the doctor passed down the
wretched looking court he stopped
one minute to shake his fist at the
church looming up so .grandly befors
him, then opened the door Of one Oi
the most wretched looking houses In
the block. Up four pairs of ereaking
swaying stairs he went, and then,
having arrived at the garret, stopped
to avoid the slOping roof, and entered
a squalid, cOmfortless room. There
was no furniture of any kind to be
seen, and M fire. The wind blew in
at the windows and the door, and
snow had drifted in at the same
place, anu lay in little piles upon the
floor.
A woman, clothed in rags, sitting
by straw pallet in one corner Of the
room, arose as he entered, and looked
at him inquiringly,
YES" he said, after some trouble.
"Thank the Lord for that !" she
answered, fervently. 1.-THE poor boy
can die in peace, at any rate.h
81 ordered the things sent up. Is
he ssleep2n
Unconscious like,p answered the
woman. His brain wanders a little
at times" -...
A little morseI Of boy lay upon the
bed-the unmistakable mark Of fam.
inc in his face.
The doctor bent over him, and,
looking into his face moment, said
10 the woman, standing silent at his
side: ....-.. .....
His pain is over. He will proba-
bly, 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
bowling ushers opened the doors of the
erimson-lined, luxurious pews, and
the congregation slowly assembled
what do you know of charity ?"
thought the doctor. Here, not more
than twenty feet from the pulpit OF
your church, poverty reigRs supreme;
yet not one of you all ever took the
trouble TO look here for a field of use
You give little from your
and plume yourselves
upon your charitable hearts; and
from that poor woman by the bed
you might learn much. She cheer
fully gives what she can-her time
in behalf of boy she never saw be-
fore, and
The orgaEist of the church COM
menced the voluntary, and an exela-
nation from the woman brought The
doctor to the bed. The little sufferer
moved uneasily; then a smile came
upon his wan face, q far away look
into his eyes.
at hear music" he murmured. Was
1t thesOnl of the angels, or the strains
Of the grand organ, that he heard {?
Who can tell2
He is going fast" whispered the
doctor. The woman was silently
We ping, and covered her face with
her hands. And the first notes of
Come, ye diseOnsolate," came to
them from the church. Again the
far away look came into the boys
eyes, the smile upon his lips his thin
white hand stirred upon the bee, and.
while the last strains still fingered
upon the air, he turned his face to the
wall, and so-died.
And as the man in a threadbare
coat and the woman in rags knelt by
his side and prayed silently, in the
church the preacher. clothed in broad
cloth, arose and gave out his text:
Charity eovereth a multitude of
sins"
Silks and satins ratified as their
wearers seated themselves to listen,
and the sermon went on, and in glow
ng language depicted the want and
of the poor; and the
vast congregation listened with rapt
attention. Upon the speaker, too, the
Iubjeet took u hold, and by degrees
MS gestures became more natural and
ess studied. his phrases more earnest