The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-09-02

tor by way of beginning, remarked up
on the severity of the weather.
eyes," said Mr.. Cantter, "God help
the poor !"
The book keeper, bending over the
ledger, smiled to himself, but said
nothing.
The doctor hardly liked the express
sion on the merchants face. and the oily
junction. with which those words rolled
from his mouth, but resolutely dashed
ut the subject. He depicted the suffer-
ings of his jewellers in Dead Mans row
the tumble-down houses admitted the
wind and snow at every corner the
famine which reigned in them and
then, excited by the troubles he had
witnessed, he appealed to the merchant
to help those who could not help them
selves.
Warmth usually begets warmth, and
it is therefore singular, but not less
true, that rs the doctor warmed Mr..
Cantter cooled, and when he had finish
ed speaking that gentleman said:
II can do nothing for you. I am a
subscriber to the Magdalens' Home,
Esculapius Hospital, the Seaman's Ref
uge, the North Pole Missions, the
But this is"
"Tract societies, Continued Mr.. Can't
ter, calmly ignoring the doctor, and
many other charities. I find my time
entirely taken up, and I can neither
find time nor money to aid q vagabond
who may be deceiving you"
"There can be no deception in star
vation."
"Well, may be not but might be
placing premium on dishonesty, and I
hope to aid worthy objects"
'.All worthy no doubt, but this is
case of utter wretchedness. A boy, a
little child, dying for want of food,
pleaded the doctor.
II dare say" said Mr.. Cantter, but
charity, to be effective, must be we'll di-
rected. You must come to our church
next Sunday. We have the best preach
er in the city, and, as his sermon is up
on charity, you will no doubt he able to
profit by his suggestions"
"But about the boy" said the doctor,
fearing that the conversation would
wander him from the subject which in
terested him more than the sermon
which was in prospect.
II can't squander money on such OBJ
jects. said the merchant, again sudden
~ dropping from the warmth to cold.
II can give you q letter to the Poor
Children's home, and ut the next meet
ing of the board"
"D-n the board" said the doctor,
now thoroughly indignant.
Profanity! And in my presence!"
exclaimed the merchant. "You shock
me SIR"
"Shock you !" said tho doctor.
"Shock you! How Lave you shocked
me with your lying talk of charity! Is
it charity to go to fine church, to lis
ten to sensational preacher? Is it char
ity to go to luxurious home, to eat a
grand dinner, and talk over the sermon?
Is it charity to sit on u velvet sofa be-
fore q blazing fire, to look through
French plate glass windows at the
houseless, hungry poor rs they hurry
by, and say God help the poor"
Shame upon such charity"
"Sir?" said Mr. Cantter.
The book-keeper smiled encouraging
ly upon the speaker. -.
"Shamc upon such charity, say"
continued he, borne away by a food of
indignation "a true noble charity is the
best of things ON earth; but q hypocrit!-
cal charity should be weight to damn
any SOUL" And, slamming the door to,
the doctor strobe away.
II am truly shocked at that young
mans reckless use of strong terms"
said Mr.. Cantter; "but," added he, re-
flectively, "let us hope that he will see
|. NJ I~vu I'M
fore it is too late. hope, Mr.. Strong,
that you will take warning from him,
and be more regular in attendance at
church. BY the way, tomorrow is Sun
day, and you must come to our church
and hear Mr.. Highfalutin on charity"
The doctor disheartened at his rebuff,
and thoroughly indignant at the hypoc-
risy of which he had been witness,
paused irresolutely upon the corner,
and rs lie stood there he heard q quick
step behind him then hand hurried
~ thrust small roll of money into his:
and turning, he was just in time to see
the form of Mr.. Cantter's book-keeper
disappearing in the gloom. The sum
was small, but it was sufficient for the
purpose, and with a lighter heart the
doctor went his way to Dead Mans
Row.
A narrow, filthy passage-way between
two houses leads from the fine thor
oughfare into q narrow, filthy court,
and at the end of the court stands Dead
Man s Row, Immediately in the rear of
fine church-Mr. Cantter's church.
Why this name was ever conferred up
on these tumble.down old rookeries
am unable to state. Suffice it to soy
that they were so called, and at the first
glance one was apt to acknowledge its
suitableness.
As the doctor passed down the