Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-18
COULD NOT REFUSE
Pretty Teachers Raising Funds for a
Bazaar.
Providing Annuities for Those VIII
Have LnbOred In Schools for
Thfrty-Fivc Years.

'Tve never begged before, and really,
don't like to do SO at al4p'
The proprietor of well-known F street
business establishment glanced up from
his books with the intention Of making an
angry reply, but was silenced With surprise
at the picture before him. 1t was CHEEKY,
rosy-cheeked girl, with smiling face, who
stood beside his desk. She was fashionably
attired, and, judging from appearances, was
not IN such circumstances that would war
rant the solicitation of aid. An explanation
was forthcoming, however, for the speaker
continued:
But we learn in our profession to per-
form cheerlully those things that are OBJ
noxious to us, and that's why I'm so
prompt" :.
"Profession?" murmured the merchant.
FOR want OF something better to say. for the
sudden and novel onslaught had proved
somewhat startling.
Yes" the young lady pro nptly made re-
ply m public school teacher, and l
dropped in to see you in behalf of our bazaar
of course you are aware that our organiZa-
ton, the Teachers Annuity and Aid Asso-
citation, Is going to give big bazaar in De-
cember to raise funds, and we want you to
help us out with a donation. Either goods
or money will do, and We'll appreciate 1t
so much and be so grateful"
Inc last sentence was uttered in quite a
pitiful tone, accompanied by droop of two
pretty eyelids, so what could the merchant
do but surrender? He did so gracio lsly, and
the visitor departed with large donation
and happy smile.
Incidents similar to the one described are
now occurring daily after school hours and
all day Saturdays, and will continue with
out interruption until every merchant in
the city has been approached. Thus far,
generous treatment has been accorded the
solicitors, and they feel greatly stimulated
and encouraged.
The committee reports the receipt Of the
contributions from out-of-town merchants
and publishers. In the city, they say, the
smaller merchants have proven more gener-
GUS up to date than the proprietors of the
large establishments, but everything is
thankfully received 1t is the inteltion to
publish the names Of all donors as soon as
the committee gets fairly under way with
its work.
An effort is to be made to secure as hon.
orary members the attorneys and clergy
men of the city 1t is also desired to inter-
est the parents of school children in the
bazaar.
One of the teachers, deeply Interested in
the annuity movement, stated to Star re-
porter: Certainly none can doubt the right.
BUSINESS OF seeking to alleviate the cate Of
those who, having labored at so arduo is a
calling for over thirty-five years on a salary
averaging 5000, faint by the way, and find la
Dor no longer sweet, though the necessity for
1t still exists. 1t is in order to make provis-
ion for such cases that our teachers have
banded together in this association end
appear before the public for the first and
last time in the guise Of petitioners.
1.-THE merchants so far neglected by the
central committee need feel no fear of slight,
as the local committees will be in the field
this week and continue the canvass. The
next point Of attack is to be the board Of
trade. Indeed, all sorts and conditions Of
men are to be approached, so that he en-
tire community may participate in establish
Ing an enterprise in whose benefits the whole
community will share