The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-01-11

shut that might lead to a little success
then it is close on to the sin of murder 10
| refuse to ask relief as the only hope OF
saving the children's lives.
But II is sad to see. Within few years
| begging appears to have lost its terrors
and Is becoming almost as common IN our
| own Independent country as it is 'beyond
the sea-" The cause of this each one must
search for an answer from the best authori'
ties, or trust to their own good sense TO
ind a solution. There is great increase
by letters or in person-of petitions that
| shock every honest, noble mind, and these
bold requests often come from persons that
1t would seem impossible would stoop so
| low.
Asa matter orcuriosity we kept file of
such singular productions, making a con-
else note on the back Of each, giving the
nature OF the request. We add few,
not selected, but Just as we turn down one
after another in the package.
"A widow vanish 500 TO buy farm out
West where she can live easily"
Three young ladies want money to
spend a week in the city in general
way"
"a yourg man of unblemished character
wants $500 to buy hearse and start as an
undertaken"
"a widow, whose husband has been dead
five years, wants $500 to buy him a hand
some monument" and adds, "As lam
going to be married again soon. want the
NOR ey Immediately so can put the monu.
ment up at once, as l don't think 1t looks
well for a man to marry again until he has
placed monument to the memory of his
first wife," That's sensible reasoning for
you
"a young lady wants $500 to buy wed.
ding dress"
ga clerOvman ubo hos lone, Iobo-o5 =,
his Masters vineyard wishes to begin to
provide for a comfortable old age, and
wants IS, 900 to buy a Western farm. The
donor is 7, quested to look to the Lord for
payment"
"a farmer wants 500 to buy a yoke of
oxen and stylish horse and buggy"
"AEman wants.a watch, but would feel
ashamed to carry silver one. Won't -
send him gold watch?'
"a lady wants a Brussels carpet. Her
husband thinks three-ply good enough,
and she cried most all night, when some
thing seemed to say: Ask - she can
give it and never feel it,"
No doubt very many have the same an
nOyance or this would not be credited, but
these, and a very large package more
equally absurd, are the work of less than
year, besides many Others that we're not
preserved.
y
tather refused as fine one as she had set
her heart on, and so she bought it pri.
vatsly. When the bill came he refused to
pay it, insisejng that if it was correct that
she should earn the money herself. With
most piteous lamentations she wrote to
beg - to send her $500, "for, you
know, should feel so ashamed and de-
graded to work for i'll But not ash lmed
or degraded to beg for it.
A young lady wrote us to send her "a
box OF pa ,ly.worn nice things" that she
wanted TO dress as stylish as the best, and
goes on TO enumerate what she particularly
desires. "A nice black silk, stylish cloak,
a party suit OF light silk, set of furs, lots
OF pretty ribbons, not much soiled, laces,
gloves, fancy handkerchiefs. several kinds
OF leTelry, which she Is sure we can spare
and never feel it" She assures us she is
very proud, wouldn't stoop to do a mean
thing for the world, but she lives so far
away from Us no one will ever know where
or how she obtained them, and surely we
wouldn't think she would stoop to earn
them by work, she is sure GOD will re-
ward Us if we send her a box-a good Dox
of nice things, by express, and pay the ex-
pTessage.
We have COPIED these few from the very
large package of such letters that is right
before us, exactly word for word. 1t may
seem Smuslng or ridiculous at the first
glance, but all amusement ceases and great
SORROW comes in its place when we reflect
how low, how lost to any self-respect or
modesty any one must be who can stoop to
such geDteel begging.
There is a sad fault somewhere. Parents
who indulge in all the absurdities of fash.
ion themselves. and allow their daughter
the same license, will do well to reflect on
this great shame little, and inquire if
they have not something to answer for.
An inordinate love for "style" and fash
ion grows rapidly, and when once it gains
the mastery seems as ineradicable as the
love for strong drink, and almost as de-
structive.
Among all the reforms" we feel that
the shameful indelicacy of genteel beggars
is one that our good, earnest workers-men
and women-should carefully examine and
seek to destroy.
MRS HENRY WARD RFFruFp