Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-20
In BEGGAR'S GUISE.
A YOUNG WOMAN ooNS RAGGED RAJ.
MsNT TO SOLICIT AIMS.


The Poor Who Befricnd the Poor--Tlose
who Preach Benevoienoe and
Those who Practice II.
"f'lltry it, I said TO myself, "and learn By
actual experience whether poor person can
sufficiently touch thehcarts OF the pasersby
10 raise enough in ono evening to purchase
even bread for the morrow's neods."
IL required sosne nerve, bat | was deter
mined TO carry out my intention, albeit when
the next evening came it was with some
rather shalyy feelings In the region OF my
heart lest I should be recognized that
donned shabby suit, and with Ell old shawl
over my head prepared 20 sally forth, first
drawing the shawl well around my face,
which tho chilliness Of tbe evening excused.
walked to Forty-second street, and hav.
ing placed myself IN q shady nook cloee to
the reservoir, wondered what wouldrhappen
next Two or three young girls, belonging
evidently 10 the better Off classes passed me-
They looked at mo quizzically, made some
laughing remark among themselves and
passed on. Young, light hearted and pros
porous, what had they TO do with seeming
poverty aud dis.ressi
Pr.rxr. OF BrGGAEs OUT.
There were several others Ike myself seek
ing aims that evening. The ever present
woman, crouched upon the ground with her
musical instrument, II such IL can he called,
aud small tin cup, was multiplied by three in
as nany blocks. One Of these sat not far
from where was standing, and looked at
me, thought, little suspiciously and en-
viously while trying TO attract notice by her
low toned musical wall.
Presently | saw coming leisurely down
from Fifth avenue gentleman knew well,
lawyer and a very wealthy man. was de-
termincd 20 try him aud stood forward as he
approached.
"Please, SIR ! said, with professions
whine, holding out my hand.
He looked haughtily towards mo.
II never give to beggars," he said, CURLY,
as he passed on
/ sighed-a real sigh-for that man is a
prominent light in one Of the churches and
had heard him often advocate benevolence
and charity towards those who are poor and
outcast; but possibly he meant the applica-
ton for others.
Tho next who passed was poor laborer.
He came towards me. ! was standing back
and had not asked him for az ything. He put
five cents in my hand.
"God help youl" he said, IN low, sympa-
thizing voice, as he passed on.
A TRACT FOR THE HUNGRY.
A good woman followed him. She looked
keenly at me, and then coming forward,
placed tract in my extended hand.
"Read that" she said, as she, too, went on.
hastily put it in my pocket, and upon my
return home found IL was "a Call to the I'm
converted" wondered how that would help
supply to-morrow's need.
Some uischievous boys now came up, and
looking at me in pretended friendly warn
ing, said hurrledly:
"Loo; out, the cops a-comin'."
looked up startled and examined the
street east and west, but could see no sign Of
policeman. However, as did not wish TO
run any risk Of night IN the station house, |
"moved ON
Ipaused again, little further up, and an
old lady with kindly face placed two cents
In my hand. She looked poor herself and as
if sto had known trouble, and l hated TO de-
prive her Of even that triaa. Two little girls
and their mother followed next, and both
little ones, after hasty consultation with
their mother, came back and gave me two
cents each. They lookedgo swee&nd plying
longed 10 clasp them in my arms.
Several gentlemen passed, but poverty was
not in their line; they did not know anything
- 1 80 L. -. lsar-
it. But one young man walking alone, with
a thoughtful and somewhat sad face, placed
dime in my hand. 1t was the largest find"
Of the evening and l began 10 be hopeful.
Two little boys with IA dog looked curiously
at me, and the dog shifted suspiciously ut my
dress as though, with the instinct OF his lind,
no detected something not quito what it
senned; but the children called him: "Corle
away, Fido; you mustn't bito her, she's poor, "
and then one OF the little fellows returned
and gavo me a penny.
1t was growing very cold, and even to my
own consciousness must have looked a sad,
lone figure ShiveriDg under that thin shawl,
and a sort of pity for myself came into my
heart, as IL l wero in reality what seemed.
THE WORLDS COLD SHOULDER.
The figure Of lady hurTyinG home at
tracted me- Irecoguized her as ono | knew
well. and when she came near, relying upon
my disguise, held ont my hand saying, For
the love of God, - as have heard some of the
others say She looked at me coldly, unsym-
pathetically. | knew that she could count
her dollars toa million at least, and that she
profeSsed great pity for the unfortunate, but
not-one penny did she give 10 one who, for
aught she knew, was starving and homeless
The tears sprang 20 my eyes at the heartless-
ness. Ihad heard Of Il before, but had hoped
that q case Of real, or seemingly real, distress
might move her.
Tho rain had been for some time falling
softly, and saw my brethren in D1isfortnne
with disconnected faoes preparing 70 return
homeward, wherever their respective homes
might be. Perhapsthe figure of a policeman
looming in the distance may have accelerated
their moyements--it certainly did mine. l
TOOL, a last look around There Was no more
sope Of pennies, and witha sigh l loft the
field of my new labor 4 sigh for the poor
things, who, fear did not gleanmuch from
that evenings harvest.
On my way homo overlook blind man
led by a shiVering little dog. The poor ami
anal looked wistfully at me, and stopping the
man put my evenings gains In his hand.
The little dog thanked me with a glad bark,
seeming to fully understand what l had
done, and perhaps realizing that now there
might be supper for two. Tho man gave me
trembling ''God bless you" not knowing
but that was rich and happy, and passed
On his way. Twenty four cents had col
lected, and had spsnt nearly three hours In
the cold and rain. 1t was 1870 that evening
when reached home, so thankful that had
home, and SO glad that i would not be
obliged TO 60 out on a similar tramp the fol-
lowing EVENING". NJ. S. in New York
World.
The Orator of .he Army OF Northern VIZ
ginia.
GENERAL LAWS THE ORAroR.-General M. Z.
Laws. Of south Carolina, will deliver the hnhual
N NOFlleTn