The evening times., 1896-12-25
POOR PLEAD FOR CHARITY
No Food, Fire, or Fortune in
Many City Houses.
MRS. SCRIBNER'S POVERTY
Aged, Dependent and in Great Neesl.
Mrs. Francis TalsOn's Case Ap-
pears Deserving-Decrepi Man
and Wife in Dire want-The Re-
ports and Appeals.

Sergt. Acton was arranging great pile
or thorny-leaved holly and preparing to
deck the First precinct station house this
morning when The Times man blew in and
wished him Merry Christmas.
THE same to you," said the biz, ruddy
complexioncd officer, brea king off a
green sprig bright with red berries. and pre-
sentiugit with low bow.
See here, tell the people about a case
OF poverty for me, will you? We have had
been able to do something for a good
many. But here's a case that came to me
this morning, ndif you canr un aroundthere
and see 1t, you'll agree with me, that it is
enough to make q woman out of a man.
Its an old man and an old woman. over
seventy years old. both OF them. The old
man has been selling flowers on the street,
and he got kicked the other day and totally
disabled for work. They sent him TO the
hospital, but he begged to be taken home,
saying he didn't want to die there.
Now this old man and old woman are in a
garret on the north west corner OF Eleventh
and L streets They have no food and no
fire on this day of all others OF the year.
/ have referred them to Col. Tracey, but
they won't find him today, and IL you
put their story in the paper some one
may have the goodness OF heart to 90
to them with a little temporary comfort
That's the worst case know about"
The Cfy's Poor.
Next door to tile First precinct is the
municipal lodging house. Capt. Cutler, the
superintendent, said lie had forty three
guests there last night. Ever since the
cold weather homeless men and boys have
been testing the accommodations of the
city's hotel, and Christmas Eve was as
sad an occasion in that tavern as one could
well imagine.
There were no exhibitions OF despair, but
a good many men went silently 10 bed TO
reflect on what the day once meant to them.
Two good meals are served every day at
Capt. Cutters mission-good coffee, beef
stews and the like.
No special Christmas dinner will be served
TO them. The captain says they go out on
tie street to beg and to look for work; and
il usually ends for them in the workhouse
Capt. Cutler will give his employees
good turkey dinner today. however. and
a right merry time is expected.
Mai. Moore was at police headquarters
bright and early. reviewing his faithful
and giving them all the mer-
riest and best OF wishes. He had his hands
full Of appeals for help that were turned
In from the various precincts.
Look ut that. will you?" 81 id he. spread
ing out q lot of little slips. Back OF
those papers is a whole book full OF misery.
Now, isn't that heart-rending on Christmas
Day to be told such stories as this?' The
major waved his arms in an impotent way,
that expressed profound regret. Doubt
less, could he have waved 4 magic wand,
he would have had Christmas trees sprout-
ing in every home under his dominion.
Poverty In the Precincts.
There were great many cases across
the Eastern Branch reported. The Fifth
many places. As for the Seventh. or George
town, either there is great deal more
poverty there than in any other part OF
the District. or Lieut. Swindells is most
faithful steward of the Lord and conscien-
tious officer OF the police force.
Look at Lieut.. Swindell's donation to
me this morning. said the ior, with
decided wag of his head Now w hat do you
think of man who will upset his chiefs
happiness like this on Christmas morning.
Faithful fellow. that lie eutenant. Here are
five. seven cases. Oh. say put some of these
ii print for me. Some good person will read
t, and start out with basket a ftcr dinner
The lieutenant has relieved some Of these
rases. See here. Gave SO, gave So. and
so on. But how much fire and food is SO
going to buy. wonder"
The ira ior pulled at his imperial, and
locked very like Dewolf Hopper pls ying the
role of Wang.
Some of the cases are worse than
said he. 'One, white blind
man with u sick wife, at No. 1888 Thirty
first street, is very bad. Old woman, alone,
sick, without fuel or food, very needy,
at 1903 Thirty-third street. A bad case
of a woman with four children, on Fen
wick Hill, between Q and r Streets
Applied at the Mission.
Supt. McAichael was at his desk in
the Central Union Mission looking over
resources and applications. He said he
had received over 100 appeals since yes
lerday, and had been able to relieve very
few.
A great batch of postal cards was sent
% the Associated Charities for cases to
be Investigated. Two cases which were
Just reported We're that of an aged lady,
eight y-six years old, mother of an old
soldier and good Christian. She is
Elizabeth Scribner, living at No. 631 1
street southeast. She is in great need
Wood and coal and provisions are needed
at once a5 No. 1924 Seventh street north
west The case is reported by a lady who
asked imnedia help in relieving this fam
lily.
At No. $40 Seventh street southeast is
Mrs Frances Talson, who is in great need.
The Central Union will give ineChristmas
dinner today to poor people for their lowest
price, 10 cents. The prospects are that over
lO0people will be fed. Yesterday ythe Central
Union gave a Christmas tree for 200 of the
poor children found through their work in
the outl wing districts.
The Salvation Army Hall is gayly trim
ned with holly and evergreen today, and
services will be held twice, during the
afternoon and evening The army is going
to give n treat Monday at 5 O'Clock for
200 newsboys and bootblacks, and they
ask donations of food and goodies for the
feast, as well as little gifts of clothing,
such as shoes, gloves and the like. The
children will all -. given Il gift from the
tree Monday, and will have games and
froijc, followed by services.
Chief Clerk Sylvester, of the police de-
lartment, reports the following Christmas
gifts for the poor received today: From
"H," 81; E." 81, and Joseph Herbert,
So.
She Died of Diphtheria.
Coroner Hammett has investigated the
case of the worthngton girl, who died last
hight, as noted in The Times, and decided
tbat tho death was fiup tn fiinhtharia The