New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-12

NETWORKS RICH PEOPLE SHOULD MI
TATE GEORGE W. CHILDS.
WHAT 4 REPORTER SAW ~ A VISIT TO THE
HOMES OF THE POOR-PITIFUL APPEALS
FOR HELP LET YOUR LIGHT
so SHINE

50 SHINE"
Several years ago the writer being In Philade-
phia for a short time, called upon the late George
w Childs at his office in The Public Ledger
building. at Sixth and Chestnut cts. 1t was one
of many such visits made to the phlianthrop'st
during an acquantanccship extending over period
Of more than twenty years.
Nr. Childs asked TO be excused for n few minutes
/ while he opened some letters which were !ald
before him. After reading several he tossed one
over 10 his visitor. with the quiet remark Read
that"
The letter was evidently written by hand ur-
familiar with the use of the pen. 1t ran about
like this:
Mr. Childs: Excuse no. but I must write to
you. ! did not know until this morning that IL
was you who saved me. God bless You. ana my
wife says God bless you. too
The letter was returned silently TO the hands of
Mr. Childs. whose face. glowing with good health
good humor and Kindness bore a smile which ind-
Gated qualification
Il have been laughed at more by newspaper men
than by almost anybody else" he sald "notwth-
standing the fact that newspaper man my
SELF. But don't mind their having little fun
with me- II pleases them ana doesn't do me any
harm Letters like that afford sufficient compensa-
ton for any wounds that men in my own profess
sion may thoughtessy innict. l never think or
them. but | always remember with pleasure ac-
acknowledgements such you In that letter"
Some people have the idea said the writer
that you are vaingloriOus and exploit your gifts
for the sake Of attracting attention to Yourself
IL know there are people who think co. re-
Piled Mr.. Chlds. but men cannot give freely
white they live without attracting attention: and
think n man can give better as he goes along
through life than by waiting until he is deal appre
cIlte fully the criticisms made upon me; but lct
ne tell you ny young Fri nj. what theory H.
You are an Epis.Opaan. and You know how fire.
quently the oaertory IS announced In our church.
with the text. Let your light 50 shine before men
that ;hey may sre your good works ana Giorify the
Father which IS In heaven.
That has been my principle and ! guess will
follow IL up until the end comes, no matter how
much people may laugh It M"
TIL, end has come 10 Mr. Chil1s 20 far ms this
world IS concerned: but the example afforded by his
useful and good life and pursuit OF the principle
embodied in the text quoted stI!l lives ana VIII
long continue to 1--we.
THE WAY OPEN FOR NEW WORKERS.
The way is open now FOR many 20 follow such nm
nlustrious example. The supporting hand Of those
who are strong is needed now more than ever by
those who are weak
During tho last fortnight. and in connection with
Tho Tribune Fund, reporter has made n tour OF
the districts IN which the greatest privation exists
among the laborng classes. now unemployed. but
ready 10 accept honest service anywhere.
Necessarily in order 10 insure "a proper Gistribu-
tioi OF supplies provided by contributions to The
Tribune Fund. inquiry MS 10 the merits OF ap-
pcanis must be made and this involves visits 10
the dwelling places Of those who seek relief 1t Is
n hcartrending occupation In which TO be en-
uovcd and the actual scenes OF suffering cannot be
portrayed in language or By the Of pen and
ink and type
Climbing up :he dar', stairs OF n tenement house
with a missionary 90 church organization leading
the way the reporter stood In the gloom Of an
upper landing. SOFT knocking at n door brings
Of q, no, Fifr
"Gool afternoon" aa,s Tho missionar,'.
"Oh" comes the voice from within. II am glal
TO see you. Mr.. -: walk in
We enter. There arc bare Goors without and bare
floors within
we haze come" says the missionary. ITO see
what We can 90 to help yor. You applied FOR pro-
visions to-day Have you enough to carry YOU oyer
a day or two?'
on yes. thanl,a" is the reply. 1--WE doing
very well. We have enough. with saving. 70 last
us over sunday"
.'IIow many rooms 10 you occupy here" IS asked
we have three rooms" ,hc woman answered.
And how many are there In the family IS the
next query.
There arc six ~ ne. sir IS tho nnqwer. MY
husband. and myself and my mother over there and
the three chillren.'
a glance around The room reveals belstcnd.
with 4 worn ont carpet for mattress. and a
single cheap covcrlid with two plain pillows. the
r,,rfacc Of which consists Of ordinary ticking and
ro sign 81 shecting cnsing over them. y little
stove stands near the chimney place. y small
mirror HANGS above a washatard, on which there X
placed "a tin basin. with an earthen pitcher In the
centre Two cheap. wooden chairs offered 70
the visitors. The husband appears. He is man
nae, forty years Of age. and his hair IS strcaked
with gray strands few family photographs hang
upon the walls. and over the door leading 10 a rear
room are the words. worked with worscd on can
yass ana chcaply framed. God Bless Our Home"
AMI such home
The reporter turned 10 the man. who came from
an inner room. and said:
"IIayc You been sclf-suppOrtng and have you
had plenty Of work until the present tme?'
Il have never been idle any time at all until last
November" he answered.
What is your trade or business" was asked.
I'm a carpenter. and have been earning good
W. ges and saving a little as / went along But our
savings ali gone now"
This man had a good complexion and bright
eye a. well honest expression.
40 You drink was asked
NO / never drink" he SAID.
"No he don't drink" exclaimed the wife impu-
svely as she sat the bedside He has done
all he could for us.
NO he don't drink" said the AID woman who
had been pointed out as the mother.
Two s;urdy-lookng and. indeed. handsome girls.
AGED probably twelve and fourteen years came for
ward from an inner room. While the reporter sat
there one advanced and afectionately put her arm
around the man. as he stood leaning against the
door lamb, while the younger one rested In her
mother,s lap The father almost unconsciously
toved with the brown locks Of his daughter while
mo talked ana the mother. without affectaton mt ALL
matted the other child upon her cheeks
NO WORK TO BE HAD
Leaving this place Of destiution the reporter
was conducted by the missionary to another hab-
totion 1, WAS a rear room In n tenement house.
and on the topmost floor. 1t was the home OF n
German a. good-looking fellow about twenty-eight
years old. and for many years employed az a
laundryrnan But he has been long out or work His
young wife there. ana couple OF chiidreh
.. ,,,,,o IN the bare floors OF the room The
man had made his first appeal for charity that
morning. ,
and how does It come that an bodled-lookins
man like YOU should be applying for charity?" was