Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-04-10
A NOBLE CHARITY
Appeals 10 The People for Aid.
var. a'eter Tracy Asked 10 Su.
perinIend a Benefit Concert.

periniend a Benefit Concert.
The following letter should appeal
to every citizen of Memphis as an
urgent plea for aid for noble charity,
and the concert, when given, should
be made the means of generous help.
Of course Mr.. Tracy will respond
promptly in the9afirmativo:
HOUSE OF THE COOP SHEPHERD, !
MEMPHIS, April 8, 1888. J
Mr.. Peter Tracy:
DEAR SIR-As you are aware, we
have been laboring for years to obtain
means to build a new house, larger
and more suitable than our present
one. The funds obtained by our fair
in the fall Of 1880, and those raised by
our little collection in the spring Of
1881, have been carefully
preserved, and to this we
have been constantly adding by
collections abroad. There is, how
ever, one great obstacle to the collec-
tions abrOad-we are constantly asked
why does not Memphis build her
own institutions" We try to appease
our inquirers by saying that we have
already applied to our Memphis citi.
zens, and those to whom we have ap.
piled, have responded generously;
however, the sum is still insufficient
to complete the building, and, as we
do not refuse the poor and unfortu-
nate who come to us or are sent from
other parts Of the State, we feel that
we have right to ask for assistance
for our new building from all quarters.
This statement made, contributions
are given sometimes with great gener-
'osity, SO that we have now sufficient to
commence our proposed new house
This we dread to do, however, until
we can see our way clear TO complete
the same, without going in debt
Therefore, we wish to have a concert,
and we are confident that we
could not put the management
Of it in better hands than yours. We,
therefore, do earnestly request you to
accept the responsibility, as we are
sure you will make it grand success
Numbers of ladies and gentlemen
have already volunteered to assist in
the sale of tickets, and we have had
several offers to buy large number of
them, SO that we have every reason to
believe that it will be a complete sue
cess. The necessity of the new house
is perfectly obvious to all. We now
number almost 100 inmates. The
sleeping apartments are so crowded
that there is no room to step across
the floor at night, want OF space for
more beds obliging us to make use of
pallets in order to accommodate more.
Almost every week we are obliged to
refuse new applicants. Those only
are received whose sad condition rem.
ders any shelter better than none.
Once admitted, they generally remain
for years. Some prefer to remain for
lite, to secure perseverance in Fefor
nation, Our institution is now self
sustaining, as all are obliged to work
our motto being, "Idleness is the
Mother of Mischief"
The donations asked are in behalf
of the thirty.fve orphans who, also,
aro sheltered under our roof-a re
fOrmatory institution being necessary
even for these little ones. Here they
have the advantage Of Q half days
schooling, besides being taught trades,
to which the remaining half day is
devoted. Of course, these poor little
ones are not capable OF earning
their living, 1t may, perhaps, be un>
necessary to mention these things to
you, IS Be gre sure you understand
full well the meEit Of orr work, and
we are confident that you will net be
wanting In efforts, on your part, to
assist us in erecting our much needed
new house. Trusting that we will
soon receive a favorable answer, we
remain, respectfully yours,
SIsFERs,oF THE gooDSHEPHERD.
We, tile undersigned, do heartily
approve Of having the concert, and
earnestly request Mr.. Peter Tracy to
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