Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-05-06
TALES OF SUFFERING.
Incidents OF the Terrible Famine I'm
Ireland.

Ireland.
By direction of the citizens' Irish
famine relief committee, OF Philadel-
mia. their subcommittee on distribu-
tion addressed letters of inquiry TO re-
sponsible parties in Ireland for infor-
nation ms to the extent and severity oi
the distress IN the several localities.
Among other letters received in reply
were the following:
Sister s. nj. Teresa, of the convent oi
Our Lady OF Mercy, Cappaquin, writes
Since the famine years there was not,
believe. such distress, because the farm
ers and shopkeepers who were able to
help the poor people. either by giving
them work or aims, are now rs badly off
as themselves. Many of the farmers
could not pay their rents and are sold
out. May our good God comfort them
and inspire those who have money to
be generous, at least for few months,
when we are in hopes things will not
look so awfully hopeless as at present.
When Katy's $40 came we commenced
the children's breakfast, which we have
continued to keep on ever since; but
last week, when the numbers had in
creased to nearly eighty, it was an
nounced in school that from Monday all
whose fathers were living should break
fast at home. Although the father may
earn one shilling or one shilling four
pence on fine days, what is it but starva-
ton when rent. fuel and food are to be
paid for? As to clothes, they are out oi
the question.
Mrs. Cullinane. of Bantry, writes: |
am sorry to say there is great distress
here. But for the money supplied by
the friends in Dublin and what was con-
tributed by the shopkeepers don't know
what would have become of the small
farmers and laoorers. Every men,
Der of the relief committee has his time
fully engaged. You know the district
from Luave bridge to Glengariff and
how wretched the inhabitants are all
the way. The poor creatures get en-
ployment, their crops failed altogether,
and they have to come down To Bantry
to get share of the relief, which, on
account of being divided between so
many, sometimes n family is obliged to
subsist for week on couple of shil-
lings. Picture to yourselfperhaps eight
or nine human beings living on two
shillings per week. 1t just keeps them
from dying of starvation. I went into
house to-day in whicn there were
three sick children lying on what ap-
pNulSu W IllC W bC Olh DstkSt anu
the covering was not much better. In
the mothers arms was fourth child,
who, | was told. was recovered from
"the Sickness" but was not able to walk
from weakness. There were other chill
dren, also, looking miserable. The father
was only able to get work for two days
last week, and the mother assured me
the only drink she was able to give the
sick children was water. am listening
to similar stories of misery every day
Crowds of poor people come about the
house trying to get some of the relief.
Only two landlords contributed to the
fund-one gave S25 and the other Sl5.
don't know how any person can be so
heartless as to put forward statement
to the effect that there is no distress.
Unfortunately there is, and until crops
grow it will continue. hope the col
lections to relieve our poor people will
be kept up in America. If those cease
Ireland will be in n bad way. God bless
the good people who have given us their
money so generously. and trust that
He who has His own wise ends in view
will grant a plentiful harvest next year.