Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-01-09
FASHIONABLE CHARITY.
How Mrs. Truccle Was Duped by
Her CaretakerS.


Mrs. Jane Maria Truccle was a most
charitable lady. Out of the very con-
siderable wealth which the late lament
ed Sam Truccle had left her She con-
trived to spare a good deal for what she
considered deserving objects. Unfort-
unately, however. the direction of her
charity was largely influenced by feel
ings other than those of pure benevo-
lence, and, consequently. what She con-
sidered deserving objects were often
hardly those that excited the sympa-
thy of the unbiased philanthropist.
The feelings which had most influence
in directing or misdirecting her charity
were those she was plea sed to entertain
on politics. To be sure, she knew moth
ing in the world about politics. That,
however, did not prevent-perhaps, in
deed, IL rather aSsiSted-her, being a
tremendous Tory. She was Primrose
dame of high degree. a liberal subscrib-
er to every anti-Liberal undertaking, a
bitter despiser of all parties and persons
whom smart people considered low,
and Il profound and ecStatic admirer of
that fashionable society about the pur-
lieus of which she was deligh ted to
move.
Her political ideas acted on her char
liable feelings in this way. They made
her very careless about the sorrows and
miseries of the real poor, and very at
tentive to every cry of distress raised by
the unhappy wealthy classes Reports
of restitution in the east of London. or
of famine among the cotticrS of the west
of Ireland. moved her very little; but
when she heard Lord This or Lady That
dilating on the woes of the mOney-lend
ers and eXploiters of Egypt, or of the
rack-renterS and cXtortiOniStS of Ire
land. she was quite overcome with sym
pathy and sorrow for their troubles, and
ready to subscribe any amount to assist
them in their cause.
1t was the morning following the final
meeting for the season of one of these
committecS-onc for the protection of
Irish land-ownerS-and Mrs. Truccle
was seated at ner breakfast reading the
annual report. In it her name was sew
eral times mentioned mentioned.
too, in connection with those of two
DuchcSseS. one Warehouses. three Count
eSscS and various other ladies of lesser
title. As the widow read she could not
help feeling. with Il benevolent glow on
her face, that, after all, virtue is its own
reward.
She had Just finished the report, and
was sitting rejecting how she could
further show her devotion to SO descrv-
ing cause. when her meditations were
interrupted by the advent of the butler.
He brought her a gentleman's card.
AstOnishcd at such a very early visit.
Mrs. Truccle hastily took the card, and,
putting on her spectaclcs, read the name
on L.
Mr.. Eustace Burke she said. who
is this person. Soker? l never heard of
him before"
Don't know, ma am" replied Soller.
''He says he wants to see you on very
important business.
Indeed" said Mrs. Truccle. That's
very strange. What does he look like?"
''Oh, very gcntcel, ma'am. Looks
like gentleman little bit down in
the world.
The amiabIe Soker was a shrewd
Judge of character. and his mistress
put great reliance upon the estimate he
formed of strangers and acquaintances.
well, Ill see him. He's in the Ii
brary. | suppose"
YES, ma am
When Mrs. TruccIe entered the
library she found that Mr.. Eustace
answered very we'll to her buffers
description of him. Tie was a tall, rather
handsome man, with, in spite of a
threadbare coat and an appearance of
poverty, certain air of distinction
fined and high-bred. The bow he gave
Mrs Truccle as she entered the room
was SO dignitied, and at the same time
so pathetic, that the good lady's heart
quite melted toward him. She saw at
once that he was just the sort of person
She always pitied-the person. who, after
having lived for years on other peoples
labor, is now reduced To the sad neces-
sity of trying 10 live by his own.
After formal greeting. the stranger
spoke.
II trust. Ms Truccle." he said, that
YOU will forgive the liberty that /, 4
complete stranger to you. have taken in
daring to call on YOU. | assure YOU that
nothing but your reputation for kind
ness To the unfortunate Is To blame II
YOU will bc benevolent and generous to
those who have had disasters IN the
worlds struggle, YOU must expect Mrs.
Trucclc. occasionally 10 have miSer-
able being like myself appealing 20 You
for assistance.
Mr.. Eusticc Burke said this in such 4
nice. iatterin~ way that Mrs TrUccle's
already good opinion OF INN was con
siderably enhanced.
i am always ready. sir. She said, ITO
assist. a. IA - my means allow, per
sons deserving nv sympathy.
II know Il, madam" replied Mr.
Burke: tut tle assistance I want from
yo,. j. nct pecaniary assistance; ! mere
" want your help to put me into posi-
ton where can earn my bread. "
Indeed" said Mrs. Trucc}e, still
more favoraIly impressed. May ask
for a little information as to your an
tecedents and claims?'
Certainly. madam" answered Mr..
Burke with a sigh. although the sub