Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-08
WHAT A DOLLAR DID.
\ RICH cYNlc RECEIVES AN OBJECT
LESSON IN CHARITY.


Ask For Help Arc Not Humbugs--Thc
Experience Made New Man OF Him.
Ono good woman, who has devoted
much Of her time for several years to
tho relief Of distress among the very
poor people of this city, succeeded in
opening tho eyes. aud likewise the peck.
ethook, Of n cynical rich man not many
days ago, She solicited financial aid
from him. and doubtless would have
met with u hrusquo rebuff had il not
boon that her position in society com.
maEded polite consideration, AS il was,
the rich man cSsayed to he patronixing
and said: My dear madam, know
that you try to do good among these
poor people, hut can assure you that
your efforts nrc practically wasted,
They tako your money and such cloth.
ing and food Ms you can give them and
then chuoklo over your gullihility,
''If | can induce starving creature
to chuckle, l shall consider tho time
and money well SPENT" replied tho
woman, with mild lingo of rcproof,
"Oh, we'll, suppose that you arc
bound to keep on wasting your time, Z"
retortcd tho rich cynic. After brief
pause he continued, "H you will dem.
onstratc to mo that you can actually re.
lievo distress with dollar | will give
il to you Just rs often as you can dom-
onstrato its usefulness in that direo-
ton.
-S'Will you como with moW eaid tho
woman thus challenged, Tho rich man
assentod aud accompanied his philan-
thropio caller to her coupe. Both onter.
ed tho conveyance and wern driven to
tho neighborhood of Eleventh avenue
and Fiftioth street, The coupe stopped
in front OF an msightly tenement. In
silence tho man followed his companion
up two or three flights of stairs, and no
soon was standing in choorless room
about IL foot square. Tho floor and tho
walls woro absolutely barren, and there
were not more than four pieces Of furni.
ture In sight Ono was u small stove,
in which scant fire was burning,
A middle uged man lay helpless OH u
cot, and knceling by him were boy
and girl so raggedly olad that their
white skin was visible through moro
than ono rent. A few empty dishes aud
cooking utensils lying on tho floor near
tho stovo told their mute story OF desti.
tuition.
The pathetic cagornoss with which
tho thrco cmacated occupants OF tho
room turned their chances upon tho Wis
itors touched long dormant chord OF
tho rich man a heart. He involuntarily
thrust his fingers into his vest pocket,
but his companion, laying restraining
hand upon his arm. advanced TO tho
cot, and in u delicate aud sympathetic
manner questioned tho sick man regard.
ing himself and his children. Sho OK.
planned that thoir needs had been called
to hor attention only few hours he.
fore Sho soon ascortnined that there
was urgent need of nourishmont, and,
bidding her cynical friend to nccompn-
ny hor, she hnstcnod to tho nearest gro
Gerry. From long experience tho good
woman knew just what to purchase for
temporary relief in case OF this kind,
and within quarter Of an hour bulky
bhhh'b WIN bbhiH Wy w WV 'PN''"'N
room by tho grocer's boy. Speedily tho
fire in tho little stove began to throw
out comforting bent. and by and by tho
grateful odors OF cooking wero difrused'
Then. with the assurance OF another
visit and more substantial aid, tho dis.
penscrs OF good cheer left the poor fam.
lily to their unexpected enjoyment
"Do you think TINT oharity WINS we'll
bestowcd2" asked tho woman. rs tho
coupe bore them swiftly away from tho
tenement district
Eyes. indeed. do, replied tho man,
with n suspicious tremor in his voice.
well, there IL u list Of what /
bought, together with tho prices" con-
tinucd tho woman, banding bit of
paper to her companion. lie took II and
read: