Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-27


the dogs of it. Why don't they try TO
save poor old Israel Trask's soul. and his
wile's, too?"
Wasn't there committee OF the
church that visited old Israel last month";
queried Drake.
"Yes there was" answered Sam, CIV
ing his cigar an Indignant shake; land
what did they do9 They went there
four on 'em-and found the old folks
shivering for want of food and clothing
They tried to make the old man believe
their religion was the only true one in
the world, but he wouldn't. SO they gave
/ them three tracts, and u little cheap book,
aud then went away. That's what they
did By hokey, alore Id give a cent to
such chaps to send off to lced ;heir mis-
sionaries in Bandwang and Slapllam
Islands, Ia throw it into the fire.
but these missionaries are honest
people and do some good" remarked
Peter Hobbs, who had not before spoken
on the subject.
"Ol course they do, responded sam
but wouldn't il look better OF 'em To be
gin some work OF charities at home. By
lingo, Judge OF mans order 10y the
way his own shop looks, and not by the
way lie may fuss around on another mau's
premises. Aud Just so with the ph ilan-
lhropis,s. Ill rather see how their re.
liz ion does towards keeping the Gentiles
OF their own town, than 10 60 way of TO
The other end OF the earth to look for the
fruits Of their Christianity. Them's my
sentiments"
And mine too" uttered Walter Ma.
son. who had just thrown away the stump
OF one cigar, and was about Lighting an.
other. just think they collected last
Sunday, to send of to the Iindoos. over
two hundred dollars. Now. that would
have made haf the poor families in this
town and | don't know but what all
comfortable Tor The winter
For some moments the party smoked
in silence. Peter Hobbs had been pom
deriug very deeply on something, and al
length he spoke:
Now. look here. boys" he said.
throwing his hall smoked cigar into the
lire, there's u good deal OF truth in what
has been said in fact ii is all true but
before we blame others we ought to do
some Thing ourselves. Now I'm ready
TO form a regular beuevolent society. Let
Us six 20 al the work, aud sec what we
can 10 towards alleviating some OF The
distress around US. What say YOU ?"
The other five looked or in wonder.
but" said Sam. how are we to dO IL?
We aren't among the favored ones. We
weren't born with silver spoons in our
mouths
IL should ike 10 DO It," added Drake,
"Uui what's the use? We couldn't do
much any waY-uol enough to amount to
anything"
Aud 50 tile others expressed their
opinions in ike manner. They all would
like. but where was the money coming
iIom2
Listen" sail Peter; and they all
turned towards him wiki real Difference,
for they knew he never wore cloak over
his heart. anl that when he spoke in
earnest his meaning had some depth to it.
Now. have formed plan. There is
Old Uncle Israel aud his wife; aud there
is the widow Manley aud her four little
children. suffering Tor wan, of the actual
necossarics Of life; and there is Mr.
Wi'.iams-shc is very poor. Her son
Phillip. her main stay, was sick all
the summer and in the fall. and is sick
now so The woman got nothing from her
little patch of land, and is now reduced
TO beggary, with herself and sick son TO
support Now let us take these three
eases in hand and support them"
"Bu, how ?" asked three or fouI voices
anxiously for they really and fully sym.
palhizcd with the noble plan.
IN tell you. resumed Peter. Here
FIN" he called, turning TO the bar.keep-
er, whats our Lill?"
Lets see" responded that worthy,
coming up There's two cigars apiece,
three cents each, that's thirty six. Then
the ale, three pints, eighteen cents; and
wine, three gils. that's eighteen more ;
and twice thirty.six is seventy.two, sew
enty two cents in all
Come. boys" said Peter. lets pay an
equal share TO night. Let's give him
nine pence apiece"
So the boys paid up, and alter Tim had
gone, Peter resumed:
Now see what we have spent TO night
for nothing. I'll begin with you, Sam
How much do you suppose you spend
each day iJr cigars and ale? Now reckon
fairly"
Lets see" was Sans response, after
gazing into the face OF his mterlocutor
until he had fairly got hold OF the idea.
Il certainly average four or five cigars
der day and suppose they average three
cents apiece. Then comes my ale, but
could no, tell how much that amounts 10,
don't drink it regularly, but perhaps
about six cents day
That's Just twenty.one cents per day
,,,o,i,. ,,octe, said Peter. and I'll own