The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-06-20
A SAD TALE.
Wretched Family, Who Trampsd to
Chsrlest On for Succor.

COLUMBIA, s. G, June 14-Sunday
morning when St. Michael's run for
early service and the air vas 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 horri6ed to see before
her the ghastliest 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
CT caild. The sister started at the
words and looked into the pale, haggard
face of d 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 tatters. A thin
cadaverous looking wsman, pale and
worn with suffering, held him by the
land.
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. BE
leaned heavily on the arm of his sou,
an elder boy eleven years old, who like
his brother, was also ragged and dirty,
tired and hungry.
This was the picture that met the
good sisters eyes. A party of four hun
CRY people stood staring her in the
face. The sisters heart was touched,
she called for assistance and in very
few moments four tired souls were
seated before table on which steamer
the most delicious yiands, hot coffee
and rolls, meal 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 e1-
pended in doctors bills and medicines.
But that is not all, what property we
had 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 to 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 every thing in their
power to make their guests as comfort.
able as possible. Towards evening the
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 an 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
countenance had the marks of much
suffering, At the convent he moaned
bitterly and called upon the sister to
take care of his poor wife that be was
going to- die. He asked the sisters
permission to lie on the piazza. II can't
walk anymore" he said, Il am going
to die" The names of the party are
Patrick Hanks, Marry Hanks, z. E.
Hanks. and Jon. J. Hanks.-The Sun.