The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-01-30

%, with a child of 2 years. She lived in
two tiny upstairs rooms and had a scanty
supply of wood sufficient to last two days
with careful nursing. Once upon time,
the rooms had been comfortably furnished.
but with no money to buy food or fuel, and
the husband gone away desperate, the
monthly inStalmeGtS due upon the house
hold goods could not be paid, and the fur
niture company from which the articles
had been purchased had removed the pieces
in lieu of cash payments, leaving only an
old bedstead with mattress and pillows,
bare of sheets and pillow cases; a cheap
table, two or three chairs and a cupboard
(empty). A small cook stove, obtained in
exchange for a fur robe that had afforded
warm protection, gave out all the heat the
room had.
The child was nearly ill from cold and
hunger, and the mother was in great need
of medical care. Her man had left her
seven months before, and during the time
since she had supported herself and child
by washing; but work had been hard to
get. Her clothing consisted of thin cotton
underwear and a calico dress, with stock
ings with out feet. pulled over her toes
Her shoes had been given her by a friendly
policeman With promise to send her
clothing and mental reservation to sup
ply her with wood, she advised to
send her child to the childrens' home for
a little time, until she could have care
herself and get around anain. This call
was followed Immediately with visits
among the neighbors who corroborated all
details and said the woman was hard
working and deserving.
On the way to town a call was made at
the city hall to get a permit for electric
lights to be placed in the Associated Chart
ties woodward, and the chief of police was
seen regarding the laws against beggars
The central office was not reached before
1920.
no fire a
chanic, who was out of a situation and
badly in need of work. He had a dozen let
tiers of recommendation to show. With
two little children and d sick WIFE he was
FRANTIC FOR SOMETHING TO DO
to provide for the little family. He had a
chance to work upon a farm in the coun-
try but he must needs have lift before
he can even make his way thther. He
had never asked for or received assistance
before and 10th to request it now,
but he could find no. work, and, although
a skilled workman. found 10 men applying
for vacancy he had hoped to be able to
fill. The only help he had received was
from his brother, who was earning $l.50 per
week and board, and has given him the 81
for weeks past. The promise that his af-
fairs should be looked after and that the
owner of the farm should be approached
in his behalf, contented him SO that he
left with a more cheerful heart.
The second visitor was hardwood fin
Usher, who was promised work for Feb. !,
but must live in the meantime. He had a
wife and two children, and, although they
had never before asked for help, they were
almost destitute and behind two months
in their rent, so that they feared to be
turned out of their little home. This was
the last straw whose coming he feared.
He promised the loan of Sc to help
out his rent SO that his house might be
saved.
Next came an old man, a wood turner,
who had received help on previous occa-
sions when luck had been hard against
him. but now he could not pay his rent
and his landlord had notified him that he
must leave. The money loaned him previ-
ously had been faithfully paid back, and
this time the assistance of - sent him
away rejoicing.
The succeeding tale was that of an aged
colored man, whose old horse and his sole
support had died day or two before, and
the poor fellow was in distress with his
source of income thus cut off. He was fur
nished with a letter to MIR. Tatro. of the
Humane Society, who could probably Sc
cure him horse, and after he had hobbled