The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-05-08
VISITING TIE POOR.
BY SHIRLEY BROWNE.
"OwEN JONES,
Kilwyth Cottage,
n1ar RooA -

"OwEN JONES,
Kilwyth Cottage,
Glen Road" r. rf
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 thu
depths of a decanter of sherry wine, long
flowing tresses and trim, elastic fgures-th,
meeting-room was Helen Harkness' 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 &C.
cents nearly approaching to dismsy. arh.
"And out upon that lonely road, nearly
four miles away" said Dora Vail. 30
Everybody knows-or everybody ought
to know"-said Kate Wilder, "that Tuesday
is our day for visiting the poor at their
houses" 4Ht sQf'
Besides" said Dora, with longing
glance at the bright fire, the open cottage
piano, and the chntz-covered sofa, with its
soft luxurious pillows, 'fts beginning to snow
a little
Girls said Helen Hardness, "all 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"
81 think it is our duty" said Helen, mex
orably. t. Eg
$50 do l." said Kate Wilder, who had the
face of a 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.
avery other man is Jones or an Owen
and every woman an Elspeth And there is
quite little settlement of one-story cottages
out on the Glen Road"
care they not rather q rough set?" 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 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
carnationi
.sIts rather fun than otherwise, Think
laughed Dora, as they passed onward.
aft the snow didn't prick ones eyelids
like needles" said Kate
ave shall have sleighing by tomorrow
morning" said Helen. q a. y ia cog
ats bad weather for quarrying." observed
Dora. "And these Welsh peasants are 30
improvident-they never have any money
laid aside for the future" 80
"a great many of them make baskets, and
carve out wonderful little wooden toys, am
told" said Kate. RfA
"They are like grown-up children, who
must be cared for and protected" said mild
Helen, with sigh of sweet womanly con.
Germ. ssHere's the Glen Road-now< where
can Kilwyth Cottage bef' -
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 a venerable old man, with basket of
buttons. tapes, and shoe-laces on his arm,
told them that eta cottage was down by "ta
old mill.D and that "Musser Jones" was 'ta
home"
II was a picturesque little stone building,
half covered with sheets of glossy green ivy,
with a background of gray rock, behind
which the ceaseless rumble of sta old mill
wheel could distinctly be heard. zNFs
"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 tall round shouldered young
man in a well-worn coat and shabby slippers,
onened the door Just wide enough tor Helen
70 catch a glimpse of coy Preside, tea
kettIe on the bob, and chair drawn up to
the hearth. .,.
ness. with the air of gentle patronage which
she always assumed on her visiting tours
among the poor. 80,
aT6at is my name," he answered with
rather an embarrassed look.
you left card at my house this morn
ing? am Miss Hardness. 49, s's.'.-.s'..a
al did," ~ ~ a..
s.Thereby occasioning me great inconven'
;ence." said Helen, severely. Tuesday is my
visiting day" efttefv - -
81 was not aware - 9
aRut YOU are now" said Helen. "Pleas'
To omen the door and let us come IN W.
can not stand out here in the snow" .fst
The young man hesitated second or tw'
and then admitted them with the best grace
he could.
81 have poor place, isoies' saiu no' 'u
II Is al your soiFco. as,
care you married or singlef' lmperiousi.
questioned Kate, surveying him as she mign
have surveyed an ill-painted picture or Dam
aged piece of china. Again he colored-
al am SINGLE" he answered.
"That is we'll" said Dora. ave have .
r,resent so many large families on our hand
It's quite discouraging to witness the lac
of providence among the working classes
hoaa young man, you will be In no hurry I
Pc did not reply, but looked rather cor
fused. -,
"Are you working among the quarriesf
asked Helen, taking out her pearl mounte
tablets. ~ :. A..
"My field of labor certainly lies in tins
direction" admitted the man.
Shave you any money IN the SAVING
RankP" questioned Dora, who had sireed
opened her little memorandum Dook
nNot at present. My income - i.
"Don't say income, interrupted Nat
4Sav wages Idont like to hear the workin
classes assume these lofty expressions:
q awe are all workers in one vineyard, D!sa
the Young man, mildly, lou..
ss2f course we are, said Kate, bru
,ualv. aNow then, what do you need most
- III pa 49,
aYour clothes I see are well worn, "a
oentle Helen, ''but they seem suostanuai n
peatly mendedi and our STOCK OF 's'0A