The Evening critic., 1883-04-27
THE CRITIC ABROAD,

a distinguished citizen of Washington
tells good story that bears upon the
Tewksbury Almshouse investigation, and
which is very apropos to the horrible de-
velopments that are coming to the surface
every day in the testimony produced.
Not many years ago a committee ap-
pointed to inspect the Tewksbury Aims
house visited it, and in the course of their
rounds through the buildings ran across an
old lady who hobbled about upon pair of
antiquatod crutches. There were traces of
distress on her furrowed face, and she i'm
mediately attracted the attention of one of
the committee, who approached her aud in
quired about her health, infrmities and
condition generally. She replied, COM
plainingly, that she was doing tolerably
and managed to live.
Anticipating discomfort in the life of the
old lady the member Of the committee in
quired:
' Is this institution run to suit you =?
Have yOu any complaints to maker"
Oh no; I've no complaints to make"
she replied, with significant turn of the
head.
We'll, you do not seem satisfied what
is the trouble? Are you not treated we'll ?"
guess it's no use to complain. People
are always complaining in this world" she
said, sadly.
But my dear madam, if you're not
treated well, and are not perfectly COM
Portable, you should make your complaints
now. We are sent here to hear complaints
and if you are not treated we'll, or if you
know of anything being done here that is
not right, we will investigate it," persist
entity continued the member of the COM
mittee, pressing his suit.
No, no." replied the old lady, still more
sadly, just let it go l will not make COM
plaint.'
81 see plainly that there is something on
your mind that we should know. You
could tell us something about this place
that is not right. Tell me, and tell me
now,' he said with emphasis, growing i'm
patient.
The old lady paused moment, then
hestatingly and with seeming regret, said
shylIy;
We'll, tell us that" said the committee
man, now half amused.
dreamed the other night that | had
died, began the old lady, "and that | went
TO hell. was received in perdition by old
Satan and host of little devils all with
red-hot pitchforks and hot shovels. / was
being chased around by those fiends, and
was having great time in my dream but
finally awoke. When awoke | cried,
and cried all the remainder of the night
Why did you cry 2" eagerly inquired
the interested committeeman.
Because l was so sorry it was only a
dream" answered the distressed old lady.
-:O:-
Last evening the Critic was engaged in
a conversation with party of gentlemen
when the subject of handwriting was men
toned. Now, in the party were men who
are engaged in banks, men who are engaged
in some of the Departments men who are
practicing physicians, and newspaper men.
There was also in the party one who has
been Judge, but is now in one of the De-
partmeDts. d
The bank man said it did not matter
whether one wrote pretty hand or not, so
it was a plain hand. The Doctor agreed
with him. The Department clerks said it
made no difference on ay-day what sort of
a hand they wrote, they got their money.
and that was the end of it.
At this point the Judge spoke up and
said
have found in the course of my ex-
perience that there were times when bad
handwriting was an advantage to q man. /
can give you an instance in my own ex-
perience. had before l came here from
the West quite large collecting business.
had my letter-heads printed, and on my
on .cioPes "aS priutcu my name ana place
OF business. had been in the practice of
law about three years, as l said. / had a
large number of claims to collect in nv
hands: Now, 1 could scarcely write so it
could be read by myself twenty -four hours
after had written it. One day / sat down
and wrote about twenty notes to different
parties against whom ! had claims. In the
course of three or four days they began
to come to my office, knowing the note was
from me by my name and address being on
the envelope. They would come in, hand
me the note and ask what on earth 1 had
written. could not read it myself, but
knew / had claim against the man and
would then and there proceed to dun him
Tor the amount, telling him that was the
OBJECT OF the note. So, you see, gentlemen,
here is an instance where bad handwritinp
was an advantage.