The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-30

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would have that pretty diagonal cloth
: in the corner. and would have some
handsome braiding on the back. be-
cause her seats for the Symphony Con-
certs this year were well forward. and
it would be silly not to give little
thought to that fact when she had her
gowns and bonnets made. just then
she felt slight pull at her overskirt,
and looking round met the pale blue.
expressionless eyes Of James, who was
carrying huge parcel of liver and a
monstrous bag of onions. TO be sure
James" cried she. remorsefully 81
had forgotten about you.' and re-
preaching herself sternly she turned
from the window to follow her small
mentor to the Car he had just
hailed. Finally, reaching the Char
don-street Home somewhat out
of breath from the a scent of
the long stairs and with misgivings
as to her capabilities for the new field
of action, she wore tired and oonfus-
ed expression, which was mistaken by
the woman in charge for the proud
reticence of genteel poverty. Mar
garet was considerably chagrined to
find herself the object of kindly solicit.
tude instead of the overpowering
thanks she had rather expected for her
voluntary assistance, and she correct
ed the false impression with some as
perity. She learned with Impotence
that she would be obliged to 60 to the
agent OF charities in her own district
before she could be assigned family to
visit, and she at once determined to
seek for herself some object for her
charity.
She explained her desire to James.
who said she knew just the place, and
would guide her to the 'Slum Flats"
After short walk she found herself in
a dismal looking alley. Entering a
tenement and directing James to re-
main within Call. she assembled the
stairs and raped softly at the first
door, through whose shrunken case
ment sitting odor of smoke from
fried fat was oozing. A poor woman,
whose appearance indicated poverty,
sorrow and discomfort threw open the
door and pushed some children out of
the way as she hurriedly inquired of
Margaret:
"What did you come forp'
ITO see if could help YOU"
"Who sent you?'
mo one; 1 came because" -Margaret
felt little delicate about saying ''be-
cause it looked so wretchedly poor
here" so she weakly finished, 'be-
I thought I would"
"Have you got work for mep" de-
manded the woman.
mo. no. l would like to give you
anything you need"
The woman interrupted her. 'Oh,
yes, you would like to amuse yourself
at my expense. to, to give me your
castoff finery and cold victuals. so as to
ease your conscience for having so
much of 'em. No, marm." with an
ugly sneer. 1--WE seen enough of the
likes of you; its. such as you that has
brought ME shame and sorrow. 1t was
another such as you that came to my
dacent home one day, and to amuse
herself, brought the fine clothes that
led my Katie to ruin. She never had
the likes of 'em, and contented enough
the poor child was with the plain
clothes earned for her. But as soon
as she got to wearing that woman's
silly feathers. God knows the thoughts
she got into her head. and to-day she's
in the Woman's prison! Twas the
same woman gave my husband money
till the poor fool thought it was easier
to get it by whinin' than by workin'
for it. and it warn't long before he
was sleepin' on the streets instead Of
workin' on 'em, and its only six months
now since he was killed in row, God
be merciful to hint All has been took
from me by you rich folks; two of my
family and my dacint pride, and now
you come with your smooth words, to
ease your conscience by playin' at
charity. No. l want no help. I've got |
one friend as is friend. he got me good
honest work, and I get my pay for it;
he never insulted me with a cent l |
hadn't earned. Twas him that got
little Jimmy Kelly a good job, and
made Dan Murphy's boss raise his
wages so he could send his girls to
school instead of running cash in some
God.forsaken store" Then the woman
seemed to soften little. "You mustn't
mind my rantin.' marm.-thank you
for comm, but don't want nothin'
but work."
'.May I give you some work?" said
Margaret timidly. 'Will you-will
you come to my house and do some
cleaningP'
Thank you-kindly. marin. I will"
Mrs. Prescott told Dr. Margetson of
this family with real pleasure. and
urged him to accompany her on her
next visit. He expressed a deep
interest, but always declined to see the
poor people. on the ground that too
many visitors embarrassed them. In
her acquaintance with the poor widow,
Margaret heard much of the kind
gentleman whom the woman proudly
called her friend. Mrs. Prescott be-
came much interested in the accounts
of the stranger. and wondered that she
had never met him In the course of
her charitable rounds. One day q
bright idea flashed across her that DR..
was this unknown visitor.
"Ah." she thought, "that was the
he would never 90 with me.
His modesty-did not wish to see the
gratitude of his poor dependents. His
charity has been SO quietly done that I