The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-05


| me. 10 was drunkards home. Inc
| dying child lay upon an old mattress III
the corner. The mother sat on the moor
/ beside her. for there was not chair I'D
/ the room. In another corner was pare
cupboard and a filthy cot occupied anoth-
er. Although II was damp, cola gay
there was no fire 10 stay the ruthless
hand OF death, which had already IN iner-
oy come to spare the unfortunate chlo
lie OF sorrow and suffering After IN
forming the mother that ] was no pnysl
clan but would send one Immediately,
took nv leave. When / reached the
street. / saw a drunken man come reenhg
along towards the dismal abode when !
had Just left. ] stepped aside ana ie'
him pass. He did not notice me ana pc
gan 10 ascend the stairway. i stood 40
near IN the place as possible In order 70
bear what passed between that miserable
snecirnen Of humanity and the poor,
vgretched wife. When he entered. she clo
not utter one word Of reproach, but baoe
him come in in tones Of fear mingled
win Kindness He did not say one Word
about the doctor he had gone 10 Drlng 10
the side Of his dying child nor dld ne
even inquire whether she was dead or
alive In angry, peremptory tones ne de-
ynspded food. did not hear her reply, II
n she made any at all. but evidently she
procured Il for him, for he was quiet az
fer that. And he sat there. no DOUBT ana
ate like a gluttonous dog the very SUD
stance, he want Of which his chlld was
diving, and his wife eaking out her me-
went at once to the nearest PHYSICIAN
which was some distance off and told MN
TO so to the place at once.
A Romantic Picture.
But the touch Of nature which makes
us All akin has added romantic lhcloshl
TO this unromantic picture. On the Out
skirts OF this uninuting locality alone
sat one Of the dirtiest OF the gang win
an old SLOUGH hat pulled down over his
eyes. and all distinction between me
white and black race dispelled for O lack
Of a proper appliance Of that lfe-glVing
fluid with which God has so abundantiy
supplied us As he sat there preserving
an appearance which dispelled every yes
tlge OF decency and good order, woman
could be see vending her way towards
him with a slow and sturdy tread. she
was poorly clad; her ill-becoming gown
plainly bore the marks OF long wear ana |
common material her bonnet consisted OF
an old red handkerchief and her shoes the |
ones which her God gave her. In her hama |
was a small tin can, evidently containing /
victuas for the man she was approaching. |
When she reached him, he extended his |
hand for the can and at once opened IL |
and began 10 devour its contents with a |
hearty appetite. There were no KIND
words Of greeting. no smile OF appreciation
and no manifestations Of appreciation /
whatever extended TO this unfortunate /
woman who had seen III in the days gone
by TO become the lifelong companion OF
this being in human form. The meal over
the woman received the empty can and |
Now, without going back TO the days OF |
their youth: without I'm any sense attempt |
irg TO formulate any mockish romanticisn |
without drawing in the slightest degree /
upon the Imagination can one not see that /
repulsive I'm appearance as that fellow was
there was something about him which
attracted the attention and the regard and
the subsequent self of this woman, and |
during the long years which have passed |
down TO date she has been without
question faithful wife end a helpful |
companion.
The meanest man on Gods earth is
loved by some one. II is incomprehensive
but true that the lowest specimen of the |
human race, no matter what may be his |
habits, no matter what his appearance
and regardless Of what crimes have been |
justly laid at his door, he is probably |
the dearest one on earth to some woman |
and possibly that unpleasant personality |
respecting and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
family. The ways of a man with wo-
man is past finding out is a true saying,
the subsistence of which is somewhere in !
:he Book Of Books. Precisely why this
man should choose this woman and that
woman consent to be chosen; why Oft
times as between two the woman selects
the one that everybody else would reject;
why certain men who are ignorant, coarse, |
E,,1 tfrs41 ,,f,,, |
who have opportunity to consort with
men OF high degree, these are things
which puzzle human nature every day.
II Is all utter folly 10 attempt 10 eluci-
date these mysteries, or TO understand
these embarrassing problems. But they
are facts that cannot be denied or doubted |
and all there is left for us to do is to
take life as It is and If we are lazy, stin-
gy and selfish, it is very easy and pleas
ant matter to avoid contemplation of un-
pleasant associations with the disagree
able.
Some Object Lessons.
We can go through life smoothly and
as easily as a modern steamer upon the
placid bosom Of the sea, caring solely for
self. reckless as TO consequences 10 any
one else. but we are taught that it is not
manhood. not honesty and / don't believe
il is satisfactory to those VINO Try IT.
Selfish men and women are never happy. !
They are Jealous, envious and therefore
ont of sorts even with their petty selves
But tust how to get at these cases Is a
Ixnotty problem too. When you are con- /
fronted by these traverse questions OF |
honesty, Of hygiene soundness. it is not |
olu-ays wise or discreet to interfere. 1t |
is diffcult to know just how TO reach these |
creatures who are beneath the level OF |
brutes so far as personal cleanliness is
The fact that it is next TO
does not interest or start them.
They would really feel out Of place in
clean shirt; a polished pair Of boots
would make them the laughing stock OF
their associates, the ordinary cheap attire
ola n old-fashioned sea-faring man would
render them subject 70 the disgracefm t
charge OF dudeism. These embarrass-
ments really block the way of many a
kind hearted and right-thinking man in
his endeaVor 10 be of service TO his fellows.
have simply painted the picture,
which is a true one. l don't undertake
TO say what you ought to do. All have
done is to simply tell you what ! saw
and what you will certainly see II you
ever submit yourselves TO the distasteful
opportunity.
"Know, then. myself; presume not God TO
scan;
The proper study OF u.arkind is man"