Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-16
SELLING CHARITY TICKETS,
A Business Carried TO Excess in Washing.
ton, Some People Think.

n business carried 10 Excess In washing.
ton, Some People Think.
eeTNHAT IS THE THIRD s5 THIS MONTH, ~
Il said the Washington matron, as che
sealed up bank note in an envelope. 'Why
do submit to such extortion. you ask Simply
because cannot help it. This business of SELL
ing tickets for charitable purposes has become
a veritable nuisance in this city, Just because
I am an old resident here I am always put on
the list of people to be appealed to. If it was
done merely in the ordinary business way I
should not object, inasmuch as could refuse il
liked"
''Why don't you do so, anyway?' inquired
the pretty girl who was lounging on the divan.
at is not possible, assure you. A good
many women with whom have a social ac-
quaintance make regular business of under
taking to sell tickets for this or that charitable
enterprise. They prosecute it most actively,
going to the houses Of everybody they know
and levying tribute. Or else they will write
personal notes, requesting each person adj
dressed to buy whatever cards they happen to
be offering for sale. Although they get no
money gain by the performance they are really
doing it for an anticipated profit to their souls.
That Is often motive, at all events, but they
are frequently impelled by social ambition
II don't see how that can be-"
II Will explain it to you. Suppose that
concert is being arranged for the benefit of q
hospital. Mrs. X, who is not conspicuous So
cially, but who has ambitions in that direction,
offers to sell tickets for the enterprise She
works hard at it, pushing herself into people 8
houses on the slightest pretense of acquaintance
and asking money from the residents for what
they have no desire to purchase. Her labors
are so fruitful of cash results that she must of
necessity be placed on the reception committee
when the entertainment comes of That gives
nj NVh 10 hat cha
after. However, there are many other such
ways in which this sort of thing is turned to
profitable account"
"But should think you might escape buying
by some plausible excuse
My dear. the'women who make a business
of doing this kind Of thing will take no excuse
They will not hesitate to drive you into a cor
ner ard force you to respond with money or a
point-blank refusal. If you decline they are
very apt to take Offense. Most outrageous of
all Is the very common case where q personal
friend writes to you, inclosing tickets, and puts
her request that you will buy purely upon per-
sonal grounds, SAYING: MY dear Mary, l am
trying to sell these and know that / can count
on you to take couple off my hands. Please
send the money to my address, 1t is to just
such an appeal that am now replying with this
35."
well. it is some consolation to know that
you are doing good
''Pcrhaps 1 don't think that I'm stingy
about giving, but / want to make my con-
tributions to charity voluntarily and not
on compulsion. Why. do you know, a lady
OF my acquaintance called upon mo for
the purpose Of selling me some tickets
to ele.nosynary tableau vivant5 the other day,
and when said that it would give me pleasure
to take one. she exclaimed, what! Only one?
| thought that you would buy four at least.
Mind you, they were 81. so apiece. Those char
ity tickets always do cost extravagant prices.
Dyp day mot Il
ing of sewing circle to which I belong and
there were three women there who were ped
ding tickets for different things. The only
person l know who has discovered way of get
ting around the difficulty told me yesterday
that she always responds to such appeals by
saying that che would be delighted to purchase,
only that her husband has forbidden her to buy
any tickets for anything at any time. That
usually settles it, and the came applicant never
comes to her twice."