Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-23
A COMMITTEE OF ONE.


assume a serious aspect elsewhere. The
place was filled with working people,
men, women and children, whose daily
bread depended on their daily wages, and
in whose ears the hum of machinery was
like the throbbing of great artery which
supplied their life-blood. With them the
stoppage Of those wheels, the slipping off
of those bands, even a temporary suspen-
sion of the accustomed activity, meant
something more than retrenchment and
economy; it meant nothing less than star
vation and death. Operatives in large
factories, or even In small ones, become
so accustomed TO routine work that they
are unable TO look up any irregular en-
ployment, and are as helpless as locomo-
tives thrown off the track.
The minister preached charity from the
pulpit, spoke Of the increasing restitution
In the village, and suggested active CO
operation among the members Of his
parish. Something must be done, or the
hands that had worn the stains Of labor
would be red with the stains of blood.
Hunger was a wild beast that would de-
your the land IL his appetite was not ap-
peased. He urged their duty to their
neighbor, their obligation as stewards Of
the heavenly King, their guilt if they pro-
fessed Christ and did no Christian work,
and by many strong appeal to their
sympathies and political interests sought
20 inspire them TO greater deeds Of beney-
olence.
His eloquenee was not wasted. Societies
sprang up with the rapidity of mush-
rooms; nothing like it had been seen
since the war, and ii seemed as If the foun-
tain of charity at Wandeloup was only
waiting positive outlet when it would
irrigate the whole country. There was
the Relief Society,"" the Soup House,"
the "Joint Club''--which was to make
raid on the butchers and meet frequently
and half dozen others with names sig
nificant of their intentions. 1t took weeks
to organize these considerations, and more
talking than would have moved man-of-
war. In fact, If words could have been
converted into food, there wouldn't have
been a hungry mouth in the whole coun-
try. They were always getting ready to
do something, but nothing was done, and
while one-half the town was nursing its
spark of benevolence the other half was
declaring war against capital and assum-
ing the attitude Of incendiaries.
"Where do you think we had better
commence operations" inquired Mrs.
Applegate, whose administrative abil-
ity was much better than her execu-
tive, and who was well up in parlia-
mentary practice. Indeed, 1t was
mainly owing to her influence that
any assembly in Wandeloup became dis.
tinctly deliberative body. Deliberation
was her forte. "You know how neces-
sary it is to have all the arrangements
made before we attempt carrying any
scheme into effect" she remarked, with
all the dignity her position required.
We must be very careful not to exhaust
the treasury by responding TO individual
appeals. trust you will give the matter
due attention, ladies, and at our next
meeting we will consult further in regard
TO the best mode Of beginning our work"
Helen Dorsey listened TO the mild sug-
gestions Of leisurely activity with atten-
tive ears, but with a heart and brain in
open rebellion to such dawdling and de-
liberation She had been put'upon some
sort Of committee, she hardly knew
what, and II seemed To her that, with ali
their meetings for organization and con-
sideration, they had made no Roadway
whatever She was walking home lost in
thought, and realizing the necessity Of
immediate attention to this brand set on
fire by the failure of an eminent house,
when she was suddenly seized by the
dress and brought to full stop.
" For the love Of heaven, ma'am, don't
pass me by" was the agonized appeal
from crouching female. "Sorra bit
has gone over my lips the day, and the
childers are starving! God knows /
speak the truth, ma'am, an there's many
another that's as bad off as am mysel'n
"I'll see about it." said Helen. almost
mechanically.
"Don't wait to see about it, ma'am,
or it'll be too late!'
She was convinced of that--it was Just
what had disturbed her peace of mind
"Come with me-" said Helen, lifting the
PROSTATE woman and taking her under
her protection; "I'll do all can" She
stepped boldly up TO the nearest dwell
ing, rang the bell and was admitted, the
lady of the house making her appearance
very promptly, for Helen Dorsey was a
universal fayorite-fortune alone ex-
ceptcd.
II found this poor woman at your
door, dear friend" began Helen, rising
to meet Mrs Mortimer SIS it necessary
for me TO speak in her behalff'
"Indeed, noln exclaimed Mrs. MORT.
mer, shuddering at the sight of the hag-
gard cheek, the wild and sunken eye.
Bring her at once into the dining
room. AT my doorl And looking like
that! How fortunate you came along as
you didr
III the Friendly Firm" of Wandeloup
could have seen the eagerness with which
the poor woman devoured the nice food
that was set before her and how the tears
streamed from her hot eyes as Mrs MORT
mer filed basket with good cheer for
the children, II would have been to them
living sermon. Helen and her friend,
neither Of them rich in this worlds goods,
clasped each others hands and were as
silen, as II 1t had been sacramental
feast until the door was shut between
them and the blessings showered forth by
a grateful heart.
at is blessed thing TO help the
needy!" said Mrs Mortimer.
Indeed it is" said Helen. How one
is lifted up when he undertakes to lift up
others. II seems as II had been on the
mount of TRANSPORTATION, the way before
me seems so bright and clear" Then
she told what had been done by the
" Friendly Firm" and how vexed and
,xt. 1lad cha had haap panr,la whn tall