The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-04
"And the Greatest of
These Is Charity

VIM. Mcintosh, in The Phllstine.
Sunset hour at the meridian of Para
disc Flats: but no sunset was visible.
IL was the worse end Of "a bad December
day. Out doors, all was one color, and
| the rain froZe as ii fell.
Before the big tenement stood Rus
sian sleigh. with an impatient pair Of
clipped chestnuts. 4 Roman sentinel
IN furs sat on the box and his liverled
mate groped in the dark hall for the
habitat OF John Jones. who had been
recommended" John Jones lived
there. but there was no evidence of it
On the first floor. This tenement was
not provided with hall directory and a
battery OF bells. Poverty makes resi-
dence uncertain from month to month
| Many Il good man has been returned
not found or ~ fake" because he
| had to try elsewhere when the rent
came due.
On the fifth floor. room that looked
back over Il net of railroads held John
Jones's treasures. Three little girls
| We're keeping the stove warm. There
| was some coal in II. but the way 1t act
| ed was proof that warmth Is not always
! provoked by pokins. The fire had a
| hungry look like the children, and like
| them. moreover. evinced an anxious de-
sire to go out cheerless as it was be-
yond the Ineffective screen of the walls.
The footman's knock created nut
| ter in the little group Who would
knock at that door?
ITS Il p'licemar," suggested little A.
year-old Kit. The coal in the stove and
| a grape basketful more had been picked
up on the tracks.
Handin-hand they lined up at the
| door and S-year-old Annie opened it.
Kit and the 2-year-old pulled hard on
the line when the towering foOtman en-
tered.
Does John Jones live here?"
Yes" said the eldest girl
John Jones. who registered at the
Work and Aid Bureau?"
II think so" said the girl. cautiously.
sure" put in the l. year-old.
Where is he?"
Hes out looking for work, SIR"
John was mechanic until over-pro-
duction or under distribution or some
thing else turned everything upside
| down. Now he was looking for work
of any kind-and not finding it.
Where's your mother?"
''She's sick in bed, sir" said Annie.
Say, mister! Do you know what
we've got?" piped the 4-year-old;
We've got a new baby and it's a bOy!"
A grunt of disgust was the lackey's
only answer. Well. what then? II
John Jones had work or little money
| in the bank, II would be no reprOach to
him that the miracle of life had been
wrought once more over in the corner
of that room. and that there was one
| more mouth to feed. But this wasn't
business.
can you write?" the footman said
| to the 'girl.
~ a 10 oh Sni
Write your name here" he said, pro-
ducing d receipt book.
The girl made u scratch where he in
dicated, with some tremor. Then he
handed her large package which he
| held in his gloved hand. This is for
your father" he said; don't open it
| until he comes" and the vision of furry
| magnificence faded from sight.
John Jones. coming up the narrow
| stair. was almost crowded down again
by the swelling cape of the man who
| was looking for him. passing down. OF
course neither knew the other. A mo-
| ment later the father with heavy
| countenance entered the back room and
| asked in an anxious whisper how man.
ma was. Before the elder girl could
| answer the younger cried out. 20 Papa.
| there was a splendid man here for you
and he brought you sometng nice"
The square package was a problem
to the man. So large and so light
| When 1t was opened the puzzle was no
| less. II was picture-a beautiful wo-
| mans head. with pensive. tender
| look that might have been the Sphynxs
| own schoolmarm stare for all it meant
| to him. As he looked for an explana-
| tory mark somewhere a card dropped
to the floor. This is what he read on it:
John Jones. ESQ.,:
l A., ,l,
Society for AmeliOfating the Condition
of the Poor the following resolution was
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The refining influence of art
| Is almost wholly lost to the poorer
classes by reason of their lack of means
and time to enjoy the exhibitions open
to others. and
! Whereas, The degradation of poverty
is to be cured not alone by teaching self
Independence by means of labor test
| for applicants for relief but also by
making the poorest conversant. so far
as may be. with the works Of the great
masters of literature. music and art:
| therefore be ii
| Resolved. That each member of this
| society shall be one of committee to
loan works of art to the poor and
pledges himself or herself to place each
week i'm the house OF some poor family a
l DlttuIt VI SCulptuIc " ut Stuulcu w
such family. to be loaned such family
| for one week. in the hope of arousing
| In it's members love of the beautiful.
| Eleanor Gould Martin. Secretary.
! All this but the address line was
| printed. Below u form was filled in as
| follows:
Names, John Jones.
Residence, Paradise Flats
! Picture, Psyche. by Smith
Owner. Jane Hodges McVickar.
| Date of loan, December l6. 1885,
Picture to be taken. December %, 1885.
| Papa" said 4-year-old Kit. as the
card fell from the nerveless hand of
John Jones. Il fought ii was somefing
good to eat"
The latest revision tells after this
fashion what followed the trial in the
| Wilderness
"And when He had tasted forty days
and forty nights He was afterward an
hungered. /" And behold, angels
came and patronized Him"