Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09

READING HUMAN NATURE.
Varying Experiences In the Giving Of Charity
by MT. and Mrs. Bowser.
From the New York World.
In introducing Mr.. Bowser to the readers Of
the World and moro particularly to New
Workers, want to put him in right light ct
the very outset. He is simply IN average hus-
band, having and displaying no more POM
posity. erudition and the desire to lay II all on
his wife than forty-nine husbands out Of every
fifty. He finds fault but that is expected Of .
husband; it Is his privilege, assumed, not
granted. He is selfish to an extent; but hnd
me husband who isn't II things 60 wrong
he blames MrA Bowser. Why shouldn't hep
Her pains and aches are nothing; his are every
thing, and the household must ''stand around"
accordingly. Ever know husband who was
different?
Mrs. Bowser has opinions, but they are Of no
weight compared with his. Mrs. Bowser can
make % buy as much a. his three, but he won't
admit it. Mrs. Bowser has trouble with her
cook, but he'd get along IS slick As grease-of
course! For three days he win wear an old
shirt all torn up the back and say nothing
pen to find one loose stitch somewhere, he'd
declare that his was the worst-run house in all
America. Mr.. Bowser has streaks Of fat and
streaks Of lesn-like all the rest. He will walk
over a chair upset on the floor one day and kick
about thimble on the next. Take him, there
fore, as he runs. II he doesn't live in the same
house with you perhaps he does next door or
around the corner.
home the other evening, ''didn't see woman
going out Of the basement with basket on her
arm as I came up?'
"You probably did," replied Mrs. Bowser.
''She was poor woman who had burned
her hand and couldn't work with it and felt
sorry for her."
CHATS you-you to . dot! Never even
true!'
"But did. 1t was bad burn"
| "And she gave you her street and num-
| ber?'
| ''Yes"
Sand you went there to see II it was all
mo; I took her word for it."
"Took her word! WE'LL you are q soft
mash! I'll bet 500 to cent that she was the
biggest kind of q fraud! She's probably grim
ming now as she thinks how nicely she soft
| soaped you!"
II think she was deserving Of what did for
| her." quietly replied Mrs. Bowser.
"Oh, yes-of course! Mrs. Bowser, let me
give you a little advice. You were born in the
country and"
weren't your
'sNo, ma ami
weren't you born exactly one mile east Of
Podunk2'
NO! That i: to say, was born there, but
I'm Podunk ITSELF hamlet Of thirteen
houses and cider millp'
"Mrs. Bowser," he continued, after q mo-
ment crossing his hands under his coat tails
and balancing himself heel and toe, 81 want to
define my position in this matter. You were
| born and brought up in the country. You have
never had n chance N efudv huv I
have The average face is the index Of the
average mind, but you haven't learned to read
facial expression"
Have YOUR she asked, Is he halted for
breath.
Certainly. Indeed. it came natural to me.
l can detect an unworthy person at glance.
| can almost tell what he is thinking Of From
the mere glance I got at that woman's face
would wager my shoes against a tooth-pick
that she is . chronic beggar and wretched
fraud"
II can't believe it," replied Mrs. Bowser.
Indeed! What you can or cannot believe is
OF very little importance to q nation of so 0O0,-
OOO people, Mrs: Bowser. say she was un-
worthy and that settles it. However, do not
blame you so very much, as she probably told
very plausible story, but let this be the last
time. am just as charitable as the next man,
and perhaps more 20, but want to know who
I'm giving to-"
Il can thelp but believe she was Just what
she represented herself" protested Mrs. Bow
ser.
THAT matter was definitely settled, Mrs
Bowser = definitely settled, understand
| when I declared her unworthy I will
some day give you some instructions as to read
ing human nature, but until 1 do give to no
more mendicants. You simply encourage
| fraud, vice, ignorance and crime. There's no
telling but what your action in this case will
| land that woman behind prison bars tomor-
row."
II don't see how it could" she replied.
Probably not. Theresa great many things
you haven't seen, can't see and never will see,
Mrs Bowser. When | am away give all such
| people the cold shoulder; when am home
refer them to me. In that way no mistakes
can possibly arise"
About o'clock that evening the gate bell
rang and pretty soon the cook came In and re-
ported that there was q man outside who
wanted money to pay for q night lodging.
"Ah! Got the house located down fine
haven't they" sarcastically exclaimed Mr..
Bowser, who was reading his newspaper.
Tell him We have nothing to give" said
Mrs. BOwser to the cook.
Tell him nothing Of the kind!" added Mr.
Bowser. ION the contrary, send him right in
here. Here 8 q chance for you, Mrs. Bowser to
take first lesson in reading human nature.
See how quick will turn him wrong side out
Move that chair out for him to sit down on"
moment later the man was shown in. He
was q tough-looking specimen Of manhood and
looked as If he had tramped twice around the
globe. There was rum in his breath and shaw
ings in his hair, and had he ever appeared by
daylight Mrs. Bowser would have shut the door
on his toes.
well STRIP sharply queried Mr.. Bowser.
"1ts case Of heart disease, sir, and can't
work, whined the man.
run out your tongue"
1t appeared and vanished.
LET me feel Of your pulse"
He extended hand.
"My man." said Mr.. Bowser, "you have told
me the truth. Your heart is very much affected
l also see by your face that you are an honest,
truthful man. Here's dollar for you, Good
night"
"And you call him deserving?" easped Mrs.
Bowser, after the tramp had slid out with. an
expression Of the greatest amazement on his
face.
Certainly do. Saw it the instant he entered
the room. It's just as he says about his heart.
and l ought to have given him twice what
did"
If he isn't q tramp and fraud then don't
know one" firmly replied Mrs. Bowser.
"Of course you don't; that's what I've been
trying to tell you. I'd trust that man to carry
my wallet all day. Little down at the heel, but
thoroughly honest and conscientious. Hello!
What's that"
'.Ploase, sir, but here's policeman who
wants to speak with you at the gate" said the
cook from the hall door.
Policeman? That's funny Where's NV