New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY. JUNE 25 1876

which swarm with human beings very
much - . wharf hole swarms with rats
The building had been erected years before
and used % planning mill, but when trade
and enterprise departed from the neighbOr
hood the old structure was hastily altered
into lodgin gnouse, and after its owner
had derived in rents therefrom treble the
total cost of the building, the place wa
permitted to 60 to decay, and each year II
sunk lower in the grade OF human hsbita
tons. None but the most destitute could
be induced to live there, and yet its barren
ill-kept rooms were always full.
In one of the rooms, lighted only by q
small attic window, aud approached by q
series of rickety stairways, and dark, YER
min-infested corridors, a woman lay dying
Of consumption. Expo and want had
brought the disease and nurtured it so as
siduOusly that death seemed but to toy
with its victim. The room was small and
destitute of furniture; nothing save the low
iron bedstead, upon which reposed the
emaciated form of the dying woman, vaf
there to relieve the baroness of the apart
ment. A bent and broken candlestick stood
empty upon the broad, wooden mantel
piece. The brick fireplace underneath CON
tanned q bed of ashes-nOthing more.
Through the broken window sash the winter
winds came at will. and found o passive,
uuresisting subject for their cruel sport on
the straw-c0vered Cot.
The sound of shu Hing footsteps along the
corridor at last aroused the woman from her
lethargic condition, and caused her to turn
her head eagerly toward the door, as if ex-
pecting some pleasant arrival. The iron
latch was lifted, and the door swung open,
admitting the small form of little Dan. He
advanced into the room softly, placed his
box on the floor at the head of the bed, and
bnoo1inn damn IL 1aonoH 0nA
kissed the wan cheek Of the invalid, saying
in low voice, 'How do yOu feel, motheI!"
The woman, whose eyes were fastened in
tently on the face of her son, murmured, as
with feeble motion she strOked his dark,
curly har. Poor Dan. you have been un
successful
"Yes; bad luck to-day. mother" answered
the lad, endeavO1ing to speak cheerfully,
but unable to suppress the sob that strug
gled up from the tender heart. touched to
the quick at sight of his mothers patient
suffering; little Dams lips quivered pain
fully for an instant, and then, burying his
head in the thin coverlet, he gave express
sion to his feelings by flood of tears.
.'Oh, mother he cried, I'VE are starving"
The only answer that came from the lips
Of the agonized mother-herself, nearly be-
yond the reach Of the tOrtures Of hunger
was, my poor child. my poor chiIdw and
encirclipg his neck with one arm, she drew
him close to her, while with her other hand
she sought to cover him with q corner of
the well-worn blanket, which constituted
her sole protection from the blasts OF air
that came in through the broken window.
mo, mother. nc" exclaimed the little
fellow, resolutely starting up from his
kneeliug posture, sad carefully replacing
the blanket over his mother, 'you mustn't
do that. l am not very cold, and besides,
I can build fire." saying which he drew
from his pocket match and lit crumpled
paper, which he held tliumphsntly before
his mothers eyes. Then he proceeded to
kicking IN the sides and pulling the pieces
apart with his hands. Soon he had quite q
pile of splinters, and laying them carefully
over his bit Of paper on the dead ashes in
the fire place, he set fire to them, and q
cheerful blaze spraDg up az the
reward for his pains. Look, mother, isn't
that splendid?' he exclaimed, turning
eagerly to receive his mothers approba-
ton, forgetful for the moment of all his
troubles in the glowing heat of the burning
box.
A sad, tender smile rested on the mothers
face, and she was about to reply, when the
iOor was pushed open and lady's voice
was heard to say, Mercy on us what
place !" and then the door was thrown
wide open, and two richly dressed ladies
observation to tell them that they stood in
he presence of sickness and restitution
They were two active members of the Per-
,ival Square Church Relief Society, and
hey haC come to seek worthy subjects for
heir Christian charity. Little Dan got up
rom the floor. and with instructive polite
less motioned tor them to draw nearer to
he fire. I'VE amt got no chairs he said;
but we are so glad you have come"
Mrs. Jealous and Miss Prim exchanged |
glances, and the former,
urning to Dams mother, nquired feelingly,
Are you in great need of anything!'
I'VE have nothing, madam, but what you
ee here," was the answer. "My son and |
myself have not tasted food since yesterday |
"And mother interposed little Dan, sis
yery sick"
This is suffering, indeed said Mrs.
Jealous to her companion. I'VE. must do |
Omething to relieve these people,"
II do not want for myself" proceeded |
he dying woman; II shall soon be beyond |
he need of earthly care; but my poor boy! |
,lease take care of him, Ladies'; please keep |
i'm from want"
'.Most assurediy we will, my good women,
nd we will help you ALSO" responded Miss |
rim, with some warmth. Mrs. Jealous,
We must bring this case to the attention OF |
he society without delay
"Yee. it shall receive attention the very |
rst thing tomorrow, and am sorry that I |
ave no change with me now, for suppose
GU are hungry, my little man p continued |
frs. Jealous, placing her hand on Dams |
cad.
"Yes'm, purty hungry" answered the
oy, with look full OF disappointment and |
REF.
"Well, keep up your courage cheerily !
esponded Miss Prim, as the two ladies
urned to depart, I'VE will come tomorrow
nd bring you something
Little Dan made no reply. Long suffer
e had made him patient and brave; and.
8 the two vOtaries Of charity descended
ne ricketty stairways to the street, he
lently crept to the head of his mothers
is head beside hers on the pillowless straw
ok.
1.-THE meeting will please come to order"
allied the dignitied mstron who otfciated as
resident OF the regular weekly meetings of
le Percival Square Church Relief Society.
A score or more OF fashiOnably attired
dies were seated in the comfortably fur
shed parlor of the prosperous church.
he prolonged cold weather had afforded
nple opportunities to the members OF the
'ciety to pursue their charitable missions.
Id each lady had some Interesting nara
We to tell relative to the suffering caused
? poverty in the lower regions of the large
ty.
Eat our last meeting. ladies' spoke the
"a resolution was adopted pre-
ding for q systematic plan of charitable
ork. The city was divided into districts.
ID to each member was assignel one dis
let. with the understanding that she
ould eonfine herself to that particularly
fined field of labor. We are now as.