The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-12
INFLUENCE

~ A@ ~ EG9 ~ IzzE |
nothing of the tariff, but do know that
my sense of Justice is being continually
outraged. | do not believe that some
should dine off of silver and gold and
othors want for bread. The poorest
creature was certainly born with some
rights. Don't laugh, please; l don t
consid r the subject amusing"
Nor l, my dear, remarked Miss Hill
ton, with reproving glance at Brian.
You are SO earnest, Margaret" he
said, by way of excuse. Il pity those
poor creatures, but 1 don't believe in
| indiscriminate charity. 1t tends to in
crease pauperism. Money comes too
easy, and the necessity for work is done
away with"
Your rule may apply to others as
we'll as the POOR, was the half-scornful
reply. L don't think it hurts any hu
man being to be taught that humanity
is helpful and tender-hearted. 1t de-
grades no man to feel that others are
considerably compassionate for his
woes and find a pleasure in contributing
to his happiness. twas slight action
that changed the current of Jean VAL
jeans life. And the world is full of
Jean Valjeans waiting for their grain OF
encouragement. No, BERTHE, l am not
charitable; you may think 50, but / do
| not 1 have all that money can buy; 1
do not know an hours discomfort, or
the want OF even luxury, and because
some of my plenty finds it's way, to the
un:ortunares / am lauded to the skies.
1t is distorted idea. When l read of a
poor woman pledging the only thing of
value she possesses to keep poorer
neighbor from being turned upon the
streets, or when 1 hear OF a starving
creature sharing her crust with one who
has not even crust, l realize sOme-
thing of the charity which covereth a
multitude of sins, and when people
praise me l fell as big hypocrite as
those pharis aical individuals whose re-
ligion consists in going to church on
| Sunday and picking out the parts of
the sermon they think their neighbor5
should practice, and whose charity be-
gins with subscription list and ends
with Bibles sent to the heather. l
don't admire those people. Let us
talk of something else. l see your re-
proving eye, Miss Hilton, and see
Brian laughing, as usual. l wish he'd
grow little more sensible. What do
you say, Bertie?"
Your earnestness reminds me of Will
son. You remember him, Brian. He
took his degree of medicine with you.
He's made quite reputation in his pro-
fession and any number of physicians of
more years and longer practice are glad
to call him in consultation. He was
always remarkable in his way. Bra;ny
and all that. Rich, too"
Does he practice in New York;"
asked Margaret.
Yes. He has no end of patients.
Poor, most of them; but that's his own
fault. He's great hand for going
around in the tenement districts, curing
people for nothing. Sometimes when
he finds neither fire nor food he not only
provides both but makes the fire and
cooks his Irvvisions in the bargain.
Yes, he is noble fellow. You should
meet him, Margaret. You and he would
agree on many points.
Brian has never mentioned him to
ne. l should like to know him."
Il had forgotten all about him, said
Brian, though now I remember he TOOK
especial interest in me when we were
studying together. His grand prophecies
have not been realized, 1 fear. He
always had very peculiar notions"
IF he comes up to Bertic's descrip-
ton it is to be regretted that there are
not more of his peculiar notions in the
world"
AS she made this remark Margaret
rose from the table, followed by Miss
Hilton. And Brian asked BERTHE for a
game of billiards.
Don't leave us too long," cautioned
Margaret. Miss Hilton and l will grow
mutually tired of each others society,""
Like the pater and myself" put in
BERTHE. BY the way, Margaret, speak
ing of charity the pater is a very good
old fellow, though he tries to persuade
others to the contrary. You'll hear him
discuss some poor chapin the strongest
possible terms, and likely as not you'll
come to find out the fellow been enjoy
ing his bounty all the time A queer
chap, altogether" he concluded not
very respectfully. "Au revoir, Margaret,
Brian is already grinning over his ex-
pected triumph.