The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-30
Press and Banner
Wednesday, Dec. 80, 1885.
Poor &c Have Always With
YNur

In seasons Of unusual happiness and mcrri-
ment, when surrounded by ;tdmiring friends
and loving kindred, we too often forget to en-
tend a kindly word and too frequently NEGLECT
to perform q timely act TO the poor. While
many of us will admit the truth of the aSscr-
ton, and each for himself will plead guilty to
At least an occasional oversight in this rartlc-
u,ar. vet, it is nevertheless true that there Is q
tenderness in the human heart which is easily
awakened, and which, when awakened, rs
prompt to perform the generous act that will
reward the givcr with MS much pleasure as he
may impari to the recipient OF his favor. We
have in Abbeville one whose splendid endoW
mcnts and whose wOmanly graccs make her Il
queen, no matter whether leading III the gu
ties of society or whether in sympathy and in
charity giving aims to the poor or i'll eXtend-
ing relief to the distreSsed-ncrer forgetting 10
impart pleasure. and announcement anu
Oitcr-evcn TO the poor, the very poor.
Through her thoughtfulnc>s, aud the generos-
1ty of a few friends whose privilege II was ~
whose shelter and daily bread is furnished by
the bounty Of the government, were made the
recipients of Christmas gifts which made
them so happy that n crownea monarch n
While the pure and tender hearts OF our inn0
cent little children were never happier than
during the Christ mas ho!idays-becausc OF a
visit from old Santa C~Iau>-these poor ola
weathcr-bcaicn, time. worn, and fr1endleSs
people were, by her attention, made as happy
as the most favored patron Of the houoreu
Na.nt.
It has been her custom for several years to
do some act of kindness for the peopl" OF the
poor house. and this year 1t was suggested 10
her, that others would tie Slat TO share WHO
her the pleasure which she derived from KIND
ness to these unfortunate fcllow-creatureS.
Accord ingly 4 few Of our citizens were n0tl-
fled of her Intention, t. visit the poor mousse
pn Christmas, and each and all give so liber-
ally that II wagon was well loaded with every
conceivable article that could give pleasure or
comtort. Fruits, nuts, candies, tobacco, coffee;
cups, pans, toys, cake and wine, IN great
abundance formed only q ptrt OF thf great va
riety of articles, while Il turkey sandwich anu
Il ham sandwich were furnished to each of the
inmates. These were carefully divided at
home, and the share of each was put In y bag
separate from the rest. So carefully had this
preparation been made that the name OF each
recipient was put on his or her bag. Loaded
with thirty.cight bags the wagon went TO the
poor house on Saturday even ing after Christ
mas, and the donor went to see them diStrlb.
uled. There was one bag too many. one or
the inmates had died, but there were thirty
Seven as happy people in the poor house that
night as could have been found anywhere, for
cherries lives had had a ray Of sunshine shed
npon them, and there were r.ore to receive
More reil Enjoyment fem tie occurrence
than the generous donor. Their artleSS en-
prcssious OF JOY and delight were sufficient to
make glad any heart. and we know that the
poor In no poor house in South Carolina could
have received better treatment on Christmas
day.
1t is SAID tha the inmates Of the poor house
oi Abbeville count are faring reasonably
well and that Mr.. Champion Guillcbcau, the
keeper of the institution, is remarkably kind
and attentive to those under his care, and
that lie faithfully discharges every duty.