New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-31
A Leaf from n Life.

young puN SPPCA A~'O s-S -~>'
xelI.iiphted office Of merchant prince.
The doctor was poor and needy; his coat
worn and threadbare, and furnished but
door protection against the cold OF the sea-
son, because he labored among the poor
and gave his time to those who wert un-
able to pay for it.
The merchant was wealthy, plous.
"elninently respectable member OF society.
He was the mainttay Of church, the pro-
moter of charitable schemes and sub
scriber to all charities, which were backed
by influence or conferred distinction upon
the giver. Now, strange to say, this model
mans name was Cantter.
So, into Mr.. Cantter's Office the young
physician walked with some trepidation;
but, being one of the world at large, was
confident that he would be heard, for he
was ON a begging exhibition; not for him
self-he would rather have died than beg
but for poor boy who lay in a tenement
house in Dead Mans Row-lay dying of
starvation. 1t was too late to save his life
that The doctor knew; but he hoped 20
laise sufficient money to make the boy com.
Portable for the remnant Of life left him.
-'--and has not charity, it profiteth him
nothing" said Mr.. Cantter. in loud tone
pf voice, as the door opened. and the
1hought flashed through his mind that
perhaps it was the pastor Of the church.
The doctor entered, and suddenly TIE
doed of eloguence which Mr.. Cantter as
pouring out upon an unresistiDg clerk WAS
dushed, tor he knew the doctor, and knew
also that he was about to ask tor money.
and his hands came from behind his back,
went into his, pockets and remained there.
The doctor, by way of beginning, remarked
npoh the severity of the weather
ayes" said Mr.. Canttet, God help the
poor"
The book keeper, bending over the ledger,
smiled to himself but said nothing.
The doctor depicted the sufferings Of the
dwellers in Dead Mans Row; the tumble
down houses, admitting the wind ahI snow
At every corner; the famine which reigned
in them; and then. excited by the troubles
chant to help those who were unable 10
help themselves.
Warmth usually begets warmth, and it is
singular, but not less true, that as the doctor
warmed Mr.. Cantter cooled, and when he
had finished speaking that gentleman said:
II can do nothing for you. am sub
scrber to the Magdalen's Home, the Escu-
lapius Hospital, the Seamen's Refuge, the
North Pole Missions, the -"
"All worthy, no doubt; but this is = ease
of such utter wretchedness. A boy. a little
morsel Of child, dying for want Of food,
pleaded the doctor.
II dare saw" said Mr.. Cantter, "but char
ity, to be effective, must be well directed.
You must come to our church next Sunday.
We have the finest preacher in the city,
and, as his sermon is upOn charity, you will
no doubt be able to profit by his sugges-
tions."
But about the boy" said the doctor,
fearful that the conversation would wander
away from the subject which Interested
him more than the sermon which was in
prospect.
Cant sguander money on such objects"
eaid the merchant, suddenly dropping
from warmth to cold. II can give you
q letter to the Poor Children's Home, and
at the next meeting of the board"
'Cuyse the board, said the doctor now
thoroughly indignant.
Profanity in my presence: yon shock
~Shoci you ~ said the doctor. "Shock
sou: How have you shocked me with your
living talk of charity! is il charity to 60
70 e fine church, to listen to- sensational
f,reasheri fs it charity to 60 to a1uxurious
home, to get over a grand dinner and to
talk aver the sermOnl Is it charity to eis
cri a velvet sofa before q blazing tire--to
look through French plate glass windows
at the houseless hungry poor o. as they Sh hurry
by. and say. God help the poor. shame
upon such charity
Il true. noble charity is the best thing
upon earth. but hypocritlcai charity
should be a weight sufficient to damn any
eou1.7 And slamming the door to the doc
Tor strobe away.
The DOCTOR, disheartened at his rebuff,
snd thoroughly indignant at the hypocrisy
Of which he had been a witness, paused
Irresolutely on the corner, and as he stood
there he heard quick step behind him.
then a hand hurriedly thrust small roll OF
money into his, and turning, he was just IN
fine to see the form of Mr. Cantters book
Keeper disappearing in the gloom. The
SppI was small but it was sufficient for the
purpose and with lighter heart the doctor
went his svay to Dead Mans Row.
4 narrow, filthy passage, between two
houses, leads from the fine thOroughfare
pt che court stands fine church, Mr.. Can't
ter's church.
Awoman, clothed in rags, sitting by
straw pallet in one corner Ots the room,
arose as he entered, and looked at him i'm
plOringly.
eyes. he said, latter some tsouble.'' /
.'Thank the Lord for that y she answered
'.the poor boy can die in peace,
at any rate
ordered the things sent up. Is he
asleepl
~Unconsclous like, answered the woman,
g'hs brain wanders a little at times"
A little morsel of boy lay upon the bed.
fhe unmistakable mark of famine in his
face. The doctor bent over him, and look
ing into his face moment, said the woman
standing silently at his side:
"His pain ls over. He will probably live
until morning, but he will never again be
conscious"
The long night passed, day dawned, and
the bow still lived. The morning wore on,
md church time came.
The organist of the curch commenced the
-alnn4arr and an exclamation from the ]