The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-06-20
A SAD TALE.
A Wretchsd Family, Who Trsmpsd 20
Chsrlesto On for Succor.

Wretchsd Family, Who Trampsd 20
Charleston for Succor.
COLUMBIA, S. c., June 14.-Sundsy
morning when st. Michaeps run for
early service and the air Tss laden
with the perfume of flowers the bell Of
the convent Of Our Lady Of Mercy In
Queen street was rung. When the good
samaritan of that holy place answered
the call she was hOrriied to see before
her the gnastliest sight Of want and
suffering that she ever set eyes upon.
Her heart was touched at the spectacle
before her and 1t was with difficulty that
she could command herself to speak.
For Gods sake give US something
to eat. we are starving" said the voice
of a caild. The sister started at the
words and looked into the pale, haggard
face of u boy of nine summers. The
boys rugged countenance was distored
with pain. He looked dirty and miser-
able and was almost naked, his clothes
hanging to his back in tattsrs. A thin
cadaverous looking woman, pale and
worn with suffering, held him by the
hand.
This was the boys mother, poor soul!
The clothes that hung on ber back were
like the boys pacthes and travel STAIN
ed. A little old man bent with age
brought up the rear. This was the
father on whose face the marks of suf-
fering were indelibly stamped. He
leaned teavily on the arm of his son,
an elder boy eleven years old, who like
his brother, was also ragged and dirty,
tired and hungry.
This was the picture that met she
good sisters eyes. A party of four hun
CRY people stood staring her in the
face. Tfe sisters heart was touched,
she called for assistance and IN a very
few moments four tired souls we're
seated before. a table on which steame1
the most delicious yiands, hot coffee
and rolls, q ueai for king. When the
meal was over and the party had eaten
| their full, the mother with deep sigh
related the following sad story:
"My husband, myself and two little
boys lived at Marion. We lived hap
PLY together until my husband became
SICK. The little money he had was ex-
pended in doctors bills and medicines.
But that is not all, what property We
bad was mortgaged to keep the wolf
from the door. The blow came the
other day when everything We had was
taken from US. Then We decided to
leave the old homestead and come to
Charleston. We had no money to pay
our fare here and we had 10 walk. We
tramped the entire distance my SICK
husband, myself two boys, and when
we arrived here We were tired and
worn out. The sisters were deeply
touched and expressed their heartfelt
sympathy.
For the remainder of the morning
the sister did everything in their
power to make their guests as comfort
able as possible. Towards evening tne
party of four were transferred to the
station house. where they were
housed until an early hour
yesterday morning when they
were sent back to Marion, there
fare on the railroad having been paid.
The sisters collected aa abundance Of
clothing an other necessarles for
them and they went away much
happier than when they came.
The old man was sight to behold.
Bent with age, his wrinkled and pallid
couptenance had the marks OF much
suffering. At the convent he moaned
bitterly and called upon the sister to
take care of bis poor wife that be was
going to- die. He asked the sisters
permission to lie on the piazza. 81 can't
walk anymore" he said, Il am going
to die" The names of the party are
Patrick Hanks, Marry Hanks, p. E.
Hanks. and Jon. J. Hanks.-The Sun.