National Republican., 1876-12-19
LETTERS, ,FRoMTHE PEOPLE
Chrfstmas Charity.

am no housekeeper, and seldom visit the mar
ket, especially in winter, but on recent bitterly
cold morning went to the Centre Market to buy
a few Christmas decorations. Before reaching
the market doors my arms and heart were full.
had no care to enter.
Covering on the bleak sidewalk leading to the
Seventh street entrance, cold and shivering, were
q number of poor, old, thinly-clad colored women,
who had, before dayligh that bitter morning,
come from their miserable huts, miles away. over
in "wirginny," /" or 'across de Branch, " carrying
load of Christmas evergreens, holly branches,
moses and and little punches of barks and roots
to try to sell for sever so little"
Having bought an inconveniently big holly
fom oHe Oh n tSe dea Of purchasng any
more "emblems" that day and endeayored 70
make my way, sticking myself and every
ward bolnd.n Hurrying past poor. withered,
miserably-clad, shivering, old colored woman, !
heard her piping voice II my es mat n
formed her. She replied, sadly, ST bro't a good
deal Of it dis mornin' but can't get shed Of it,"
ried on Directly another old voice greeted my
ear, which had been SO etfectually pricked by the
holly as to be doubly sensitive "Oh, lady, toont
To chatter out "Oh, It is too cold to STOP" She
meekly replied. "Dat's Jest de reason wants to
sell 'em-it is 50 cold" The reason was sufficient:
hardly able to hold the money.
Now let me appeal to the heart Of every good
buy Christmas emblems. In looking up your
wreaths and stars and "crosses," buy OF those
poor old withered women, who trudge for miles
station on the sidewalk, there to sit or stand
shivering through weary, comfortless hours, en-
deavoring to sell, for almost nothing, their little
stock ofr00ts and evergreens. ...
Don't confne your patronage to the burly men,
with horses and wagons, nor to the comparative
nabobs inside the market.
As you leave the place in your costly carriage,
with its well-fed coachman and footman, or walk
comfortably away in your cosy wraps and furs,
Observation-Disclosures, leave behind YOU some
happy old heart, so set beating with grateful JOY
as to keep it warm for the remainder Of that
day. G. W. A.
An Appeal for the Poor
The terrible fact stares us in the face that un-
less prompt measures are taken for the relief of
the poor in this city hundreds will perish Of cold
and hunger. Thousands are out Of employment,
and there is no hope for them. Four hundred
Government employees were discharged on
Saturday from the Bureau Of Engraving and
Printing. OF this number the majority were
women and young girls, who have others depend
ing upon them for the necessaries of life. The
streets are infested with beggars. Husbands and
fathers, rendered desperate by the suffering Of
those most dear to them, break the laws Of man
to satisfy the laws of nature. Women go about
the streets crying for bread and the virtue Of our
maidens is the price asked for food. viii
society, wrapped in silk and furs, refuse to listen
to the cry for bread that is borne on the blast2
will they keep open house, read Epicurean feasts
and invite Dives to share them when Lazarus
sits starving at their door? 1.-THE Feast Of Glad
ness" is almost here. How many homes will be
gladdened unless aid is given? Will not the
wives and daughters of the oticials set the exam
pie of lending TO the Lord, by giving of their
plenty to the poor? Generous hearts beat be-
meath silk, and If those in purple and fine linen
but knew Of the misery around them help would
be given. The little children, who know Santa
Claus will not forget them, will give willingly
Of their plenty II the example is set and our fair
will not hesitate to deny themselves If shown the
necessity Of doing so. And the necessity is ap-
parent enough; let them, therefore, give soup TO
the poor on New Years instead Of wine to the
rich: bread instead Of cake. AndH they set the
example others will follow. Who will set the ex-
ample? We will see. A S. p.