The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-01-28
THE ROANOKE TIMES. THURSDAY JANUARY %. 1897
WHAT A DOLLAR DID.
A RICH CYNlC RECEIVES AN OBJECT
LESSON IN CHARITY.

He Snw For Himself GLOW the Other
Half Lives" aud Learned That All Who
Ask For Help Are Not Humbugs-The
Experience Made n Now Man OF Him.
One good woman, who has devoted
much of her time for several years to
the relief Of distress among the very
poor people of this city, succeeded in
opening the eyes, and likewise the pook
etbook, of O cynical rich man not many
days ago. She solicited financial aid
from him, and doubtless would have
met with q brusque rebuff had 1t not
been that her position in society COM
manded polite consideration. AS it was,
tho rich man essayed to BIO patronizing
and said: "My dear madam, know
that you try to do good among these
poor people. but cnn assure you that
your efforts are practically wasted.
They take your money and suoh cloth
ing and food as you can give them and
then ohuokle over your gullibility.
''If 1 can induce starving creature
to ohuckle, l shall consider tho time
and money well spent" replied tho
woman. with a mild tinge Of reproof.
"Oh, we'll, 1 suppose that you are
bound to keep on wasting your time"
retorted the rich cynio. After brief
pause he continued, "If you will DEM
onstrate to mo that you can actually re-
lieve distress with dollar, will give
it to you just "a often as you can dem
onstrate its usefulness in that direc-
ton. i"
will you como with MOP" said the
woman thus challenged. Tho rich man
assented and accompanied his philan-
thropio caller to her coupe. Both enter
ed the conveyance and were driven to
the neighborhood Of Eleventh avenue
and Fiftieth street. The coupe stopped
in front Of an unsightly tenement. In
silence tho man followed his companion
up two or three flights of stairs, and he
soon was standing in 4 cherries room
about IL feet square. The floor and the
walls were absolutely barren, and there
were not more than four pieces of furni-
ture in sight. One WAS a small stove,
i'll which scant fire was burning.
A middle aged man lay helpless OH a
cot, and kneeling by him were u boy
and q girl SO raggedly clad that their
white skin was visible through more
than ono rent. A few empty dishes and
cooking utensils lying on the floor near
the stove told their mute story of lesti-
tuition.
The pathetic eagcrneSs with which
the three emncinted occupants OF the
room turned their glances upon tho Wis
itors touched long dormant chord of
the rich man. heart. He involunturily
thrust his fingers into his vest pocket,
but his companion. laying restraining
hand upon his arm, advanced to tho
| cot, ana i'll n delicate and sympathetic
manner questioned the sick man regard
ing himself and his children. She OK
! planned that their needs had been called
to her attention only a few hours be-
| fore. She coon ascortained that there
was urgent need Of nourishment, and,
bidding her cynical friend to accompa-
ny her, she hastcned to the nearest gro
Gerry. From long experience the good
woman knew just what to purchase for
temporary relief i'll case of this kind,
and within u quarter Of All hour bulky
basket was borne up to the desolate
room by the grocer's boy. Speedily tho
| fire III tho little stove began to throw
out comforting heat, and by and by the
grateful odors of cooking were diffused
| Then, with the assurance of another
visit and more substantial aid, the dis
penscrs of good cheer left the poor fam.
lily to their unexpected enjoyment.
do you think that charity was we'll
| bestowed?" asked the woman, az tho
coupe bore them swiftly away from the
| tenement district.
"Yes, indeed. do, " replied the man,
with suspicious tremor i'll his voice.
We'll. there il list of what I
bought, together with the prices" con-
tinued the woman, handing a bit of
paper to her companion. He took it and
! read:
| rs pounds coal. Observation-Disclosures. 40
! 2bundles Gndling. Observation-Disclosures. .W