The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-05-05
VISITING THE POOR.
BY SHIRLEY BROWNE.
"OwEN JONES,
Kilwyth Cottage,
Glen Road"

huWyLn LOT age,
Glen Road"
This was the illegibly traced inscription
on the card that lay in the "Poor Basket
when the committee came in, fresh and rosy,
out of the keen blasts of the wintry morn
ing. The committee were three dimple-
checked girls, with every shade of eyes from
black to the liquid brown that turks in the
depths of decanter of sherry wine, long
flowing tresses and trim, elastic igures-the
meeting-room was Helen Hardness boudoir,
where an anthracite coal fire glowed softly,
and pot of white hyacinths lifted its scent
ed chime of bells between the pink folds of
the window curtains
another poor-card," said Helen, in ac-
cents nearly approaching to dismay.
"And out upon that lonely road, nearly
four miles away" said Dora Vail.
Everybody knOws-or everybody ought
to know"-said Kate Wilder. chat Tuesday
is our day for visiting the poor at their
houses"
Besides" said Dora, with longing
glance at the bright fire, the open cottage
piano, and the chintz-covered sofa, with its
soft luxurious pillows, ''it's beginning to snow
a little"
"Girls," said Helen Hardness, sail this is
quite beside the question. We have set out
to accomplish good work, and we mustn't
shrink from little extra fatigue or annoy
ance. Owen Jones must be visited. Well
do what we can for him-and he must be
made to understand that Monday is our soup
day, Tuesday our visiting-day, Thursday our
coal and blanket day, and Saturday our sick
prescription day."
''Must We really go2" said Dora.
81 think it is our duty" said Helen, mex
orsbly.
$50 do l." said Kate Wilder, who had the
face of youthful Madonna.
"This Owen Jones is probably one of the
poor Welsh workmen who have come out to
work on the slate quarries," said Dora
"Every other man is a Jones or an Owen
and every woman an Elspethl And there is
quite little settlement of one-story cottages
out on the Glen Road"
''Are they not rather a rough set2" said
Kate, timidly.
Nobody will think of hurting u.s." said
Helen. "Come girls, if we walk quickly
we shall be back in time for 5 O'Clock tea'
Through the flying fakes of snow the three
pretty figures glided along, with eyes spark
ling, cheeks Redeemed, and lips dyed deep
carnationl
ats rather fun than otherwise, think, y
laughed Dora, as they passed onward.
aft the snow didn't prick ones eyelids
like needles" said Kate.
"We shall have sleighing by tomorrow
morning." said Helen.
sits bad weather for quarrying," observed
Dora. 'And these Welsh peasants are SC
improvident-they never have any money
laid aside for the future"
"a great many Of them make baskets, and
carve out wonderful little wooden toys, am
told, "said Kate.
aThey are like grown-up children, who
must be cared for and protected" said mild
Helen, with sigh of sweet womanly con.
Germ. "Here's the Glen Road-now where
can KIlwyth Cottage be2"
Kilwyth Cottage did not seem to be espe-
cially well known in the neighborhood, for
they inquired several times before they
gained any information on the subject But
at last venerable old man, with basket Of
buttons, tapes, and shoe-laces on his arm
told them that sta cottage" was down by sta
old MILL" and that "Musser Jones" was sta
home"
1t was picturesque little stone building
half covered with sheets of glossy green ivy,
with a background of gray rock, behind
which the ceaseless rumble Of "ta old mill
Wheel could distinctly be heard.
Not as untidy looking as some of the
places we visit" said Helen, glancing crit
ically about her, as she tapped at the door.
Presently a tall round-shouldered young
man in well-worn coat and shabby slippers
opened the door just wide enough tor Helen
to catch glimpse Of a cozy Preside, tea
kettle on the bob, and chair drawn up II
the hearth. nf
"Are you Owen Jones7" said Miss Hark
ness, with the air of gentle patronage which
she always assumed on her visiting tour
among the poor.
THAT is my NAME" he answered will
rather an embarrassed look
'You left card at my house this morn
ing7 am Miss Hardness"
al did"
Thereby occasioning me great inconven
ience," said Helen, severely. Tuesday is m.
visiting day" 80 y
s'I was not aware"
s'But you are now" said Helen. "Pleas
70 open the door and let us come in. w
can not stand out here in the snow"
The young man hesitated a second or tw
and then admitted them with the best grac
he could
al have poor place, ladies, /" said he, "bu
II is at your service"
"Are you married or single2" impe.leusl
questioned Kate, surveying him as she Nigh
have surveyed an ill-painted picture or dam
aged piece Of china. Again he colored.
81 am sinole.p he answered '@.isi. q -.'tf-