The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-22

The Poor Who Befriend the Poor-Those
Who Preach Beneyolence and Those who
Practice It-Twsnty-four Cents from An
Evenings Begging.
"II try it." I said to myself, land learn by
actual experience whether poor person can
sufficiently touch the hearts Of the passersby
TO raise enough in one evening to purchase
even bread for the morrow's needs"
1t required some nerve, but l was deter
mined to carry out my Intention, albeit when
the next evening came it was with some
rather shaky feelings in the region of my
heart lest I should be recognized that
donned shabby suit, and with an old shawl
over my head prepared to sally forth, first
drawing the shawl we'll around my face,
which the chininess of the evening excused.
walked to Forty-second street, and hav-
ing placed myself in u shady nook close to
the reservoir, wondered what would happen
next. Two OF three young girls, belonging
evidently to the better off classes, passed me-
They looked at me quizzically, made some
laughing remark among themselves and
passed on. Young, light hearted and pros
porous, what had they to do with seeming
poverty and distress?
PLENTY OF BE3GARS OUT.
There were several others ike myself SEEK
ing aims that evening. The ever present
woman, crouched upon the ground with her
musical instrument, if such it can be called,
and small tin cup, was multiplied by three ia
as many blocks One of these sat not far
from where l was standing, and looked at
me, l thought, little suspiciously and en-
viously while trying to attract notice by her
low toned musical wall
Presently l saw coming leisurely down
from Fifth avenue gentleman | knew well,
a lawyer and very wealthy man. was de-
termined to try him and stood forward as he
approached.
please, sir" said, with a professional
whine, holding out my hand.
He looked haughtily towards me.
81 never give to beggars, " he said, CURLY,
as he passed on
l sighed-a real sigh-for that man is a
prominent light in one of the churches and
had heard him often advocate benevolencs
and charity towards those who are poor and
outcast; but possibly he meant the applica-
ton for others.
The next who passed was poor laborer.
he came towards me- l was standing back
and had not asked him for a. ything. He put
five cents in my hand.
"God help your 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.
l hastily put it in my pocket, and upon my
return home found it was "a Call to the On
converted" 1 wondered how that would help
supply to-morrow's need.
Some mischievous boys now came up and
looking at me in a pretended friendly warn
ing. said hurriedly;
Look out, the cops a-comin'"
l looked up startled and examined the
street east and west but could see no sign Of
policeman. However, as l did not wish to
run any risk of a night in the station house,
moved on"
paused again, little further up, and an
old lady with a kindly face placed two cents
in my hand. She looked poor herself and as
If she had known trouble, and l hated to de-
prive her Of even that trife. Two little girls
and their mother followed next, and both
little ones, after a hasty consultation with
their mother, came back and gave me two
cents each. They looked so sweet and plying
longed to clasp them in my arms.
Several gentlemen passed, but poverty was
not in their line; they did not know anything
about it and therefore had no wish TO relieve
it. But one young man walking alone with
a thoughtful and somewhat san face, placed
a dime in my hand. 1t was the largest find"
of the evening and I began to be hopeful.
Two little boys with dog looked curiously
at me, and the dog shifted suspiciously at my
dress as though, with the instinct of his kind,
he detected something not quite what it