The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-25

| THE COMING CoLD.-So much has been
written and so much said about the approach
ING cold weather, and the duty which the
more favored OF fortune eve TO the poor, that
in adverting to the subject we cannot hope to
strike upon any new chord to whose sound
the hearts and pockets OF the wealthy and
well-to-do will yield ready response. If a
man knows his duty and fails to perform it,
the most plaintve appeals or profound argu-
ment are us pearls before swine, and for all
the good they do might as we'll be addressed to
an Egyptian mummy or FIJI canniba. There
are doubtless those who do not admit that they
are under Obligations to lend helping hand
to the poor-mtn who will tell you that they
started empty handed in the world, and that
the same advantages which were held out to
them, were offered to all, and that now, after
a struggle fierce and bitter, when they are en-
abled to cool their heated brows and rest from
the more arduous of their tolls, they do not
feel disposed to bestow the. fruit of that toll
upon objects OF charity msny unworthy, and
the most OF them but rea ping OF that which
they have sown. They too, perhaps, have felt
the pangs of poverty, have known what it
was to want for bread, and yet no one vouctl-
safed them even a word oil encouragement;
not single act Of kindness, not one gener-
Gus deed can they call to mir'd, but they re-
member how they yearned for some approx
ing demonstration, how their p1lse wonld
have quickened, and their life been made
brighter, had helping hand been held out to
them, and kindly smile proven tlnat the con-
test then being waged was watch, ID by one
who would rejoice in their final tri unph.-
They will tell you, too, that some of those for
whom aid is asked, once looked with sctrlr up
on them and offered stone when they cried
for bread, and that now, when the sun OF pos
perity shines upon their pathway, and the
shadows gather, darkly around that of their
old scoffers, there rests upon them no oblga-
ton to reach down and draw them into the
light again. But their is an obligation-an 0 b.
legation which the most calous are bound to
respect. IT'S the claim Of common humanity,
and to those who have known of ''man's in
humanity to man, )" the appeal comes more di-
rectly-more forciby, and strikes to the very
quick. Let it not come in vain, but with open
palm give unto the poor, and with your aims
let there fall words of comfort and cheer, AID
while you miss neither, the heart OF many an
humble one will be filled to Overlooking, and
gratitude for the gift, and love for the gver,
remain for all time to come.
There are some, those who have lived
in comfort, or it may be luxury, all
their lives, who will not believe that
absolute want exists in a city SO small as
ours, and when asked to give will tell you that
the overseers Of the poor attend to the wants
of those who are unable to provide for them
selves, and that the rest should work for their
living IT'S true, that the city has its officials,
whose duty requires them to relieve the suffer-
ings of the poor, and they perform that duty
well, but there are many whom they cannot
embrace in their lists, whilst there are num-
bers of others of whom they know nothing,
and who are too proud to be called public pau
pers. Pride and poverty are All il-lnated pair,
to be sure, but then you cannot always sepa-
rate them. for in old age the companion Of
lifetime cannot easily be divorced. From Jour
abundant store you can spare enough to glad
den a heartlstone. warm an aged heart, and
with the cheerful flame will ascend prayer
for your continued life and happiness. HE
who givetll to the poor lendeth to the Lord"
and in time of need the debt will not be for
gotten.
There is another class-the active, energetic.
business men of the town, who if you APP
proach them, will say that they have to work
too hard to be giving in charity, and that it re-
quires all of their means to bring both ends
together Just a little will make no differ
cree in the summing up ut the end OF the
year. One cigar less Il day for week, fewer
plates of oysters, il Il sacrifice must be made,
and you will find that the money has been in
vested at perpetual interest, which cannot
fail in a dozen ways to bring double and deu-
BILE its worth.
There are very few of lis who cannot con-
tribute mite to the relief of the poor, and he
is II pauper in spirit and heart who will not if
he can.
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND INsTITUTIoN.--
Captain Mccoy, Principal Of the Deaf, Dumb
and Blind Institution, reports to the Leglsla-
ture, as required by law, the following condi-
ton of the Institute:
Mutes Blind. Total.
Number of Pupils at
date of last report. ~ 81 124
New Pupils admitted
during the year,. Is 10
Whole Number.... 100 AZ 142