The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-04-29
THE PAUPER'> SECRET.
The Pride of Man at the Allegheny
City Home,
From the Pittsburg Post

From the Pittsburg Post
In the "short and simple annals ofthe poor"
one often reads Of persons who, though re-
duced to the most wretched poverty, are still
as proud in spirit as the haughtiest of auto
Gratis, and possess delicacy of feeling which
could hardly be expected outside of the highe-
and more refined walks of life. Paupers they
may be, but that pride refuses to be crushed.
Too sensitive to admit that they are poor,
they exert all their powers to dide the fact
from the world. This phase of human ma
ture was never more Strikingly illustrated than
in the life of an aged man, who after resi-
dence of three years in the Allegheny City
Home, lett that Institution on Saturday for
ever
His story is an interesting one. Years ago
Thomas Mulaney had a happy home, and
managed to support his family in comfort
able way. Many pictures in memory Of the
domestic happiness of those days now cheer
the old man in his declining years. Death
finally broke up the family circle, taking his
wife first ami all but two of his children at
terward. Then darker days came upon him.
ing intirmities of old age settling down upon
him, she was no longer able to work. One
daughter and a son had a drifed away to dis =
tant points, and he had no knowledge of their
whereabouts. At last, when he was on the
verge Of starvation, he was taxed charge Of
by the authorities and sent to the Allegheny
Home.
This was three years since, and he was
then about So years of age. About year
ago he learned IN some manner that his son
was married and living al Cambridge, Mass.
He wrote him letter. carefully ConCeahng,
however. his real condition, and the fact that
he was in an alms-hcuse. This CORES pond-
enCe has been kept up ever since. the son
supposing his father TO be living on a farm at
Montrose P. O. Too proud 10 ask help. the
old man never requested his son to care for
him, and too sensitive to admit his pOvety.
he was very guarded in writing his letters
But the son Judged from the letters that he
was lonely, and for the past few months has
sent urgent invitations for him to remove to
Cambridge. His last letter concludes: II am
sorry to hear that you have not yet decided to
come to US. | fear you have some reason
which keeps you in Allegheny County. say
now, as | always have. my wife and | would
only be too glad to have You with Us. and vii
care for you well the balance of your life. -
The son is in good circumstances, ara had he
had the slightest intlmation of his father,
condition, would have readily sent money ion
him to make the Journey with.
One of the members of the Allegheny Poor
Board interested himself in old Tom. and pro.
poses to the board to furnish him with a rail.
road ticket to Boston. Some of the member:
doubted Toms representations, and asker
him for his sons address, so they could write
and see if all was right He declared he woulc
remain in the poor house all his life ra,he
than have his son informed of his place Of liy
ing, and refused to give the address. Tn,
poor directors resolved to keep his secret, anc
last Friday night ordered Maj. Hunker 70 pro
cure for him transportation to Boston. Wher
this was told to Tom he was the happies, mai
in the county. Tears of JOY and gratitude
rolled down his cheeks, and by this time he i
with his son. The latter need never know tn,
old mans secret.