Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-03-18

Half Lives" and Learned That All who
Ask For Help Are Not Humbugs
Experience Made "a 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, and likewise tho peck.
etbook, OF cynical rich man not many
days ago. She solicited financial aid
from him, and doubtless would have
met with brusquo rebuff had it not
been that her position in society com
marded polite consideration. AS it was,
tho rich man essayed to be patronizing
and said: my dear madam, / know
that you try to do good among these
poor people, but can assure you that
your efforts arc practically wasted.
They take your money and such cloth
Ing and food as you can give them and
then chucklo over your gullibility.
''If / can induce u starving creature
TO ohucklo, ! shall consider tho time
and money we'll spent" replied tho
woman, with mild tinge of rcproof.
ooh, we'll, suppose that you are
bound to keep on wasting your time,
retorted the rich cynic. After n brief
pause he continued, III you will dem
onstrato to me that You can actually re-
lievo distress with dollar, will give
1t to you just as often an you can dem
onstrate Its usefulness in that direo-
ton
-s'Will you come with me?' said the
woman thus challenged. Tho rich man
assented and accompanied his philan-
thropio caller to her coupe. Both enter
cd tho conveyance and woro driven to
tho noighborhood Of Eleventh avenue
and Fiftieth street. Tho 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 oheerless room
about 10 foet square. The floor and tho
walls were absolutely barren, and there
were not moro than four pieces of furni-
turo In sight Ono was u small stove,
In which soant fire was burning.
A middle aged man lay helpless OH n
cot, and knoclng by him were boy
aud girl 80 raggodly clad that their
white skin was visible through more
than ono ront A few empty dishes and
cooking utensils lying ON tho floor near
tho stovo told their muto story of dcsti-
tuition.
The pathetic oagorness with which
tho three omaciated occupants OF tho
room turned their glancos upon tho Wis
itors touched long dormant chord of
tho rich mans heart. Ho Involuntary
thrust his fingers into his vest pocket,
but his companion, laying II restraining
hand upon his arm, advanced to tho
cot, ana in n delicate and sympathetic
manner questioned tho sick man regard
ing himself aud his children. Sho OK
planned that their needs had been called
to her attention only few hours bo-
foro. Sho coon ascortaincd that there
WINS urgent need of nOurshment. and,
bidding her cynical friend to accompa'
ny her, she FASTENED to tho nearest gro
Gerry. From long experience tho good
woman know just what to purchase for
temporary rulof i'll case of this kind,
and within II quarter OF IN hour II bulky
basket was horno up to tho desolato
room by tho pyoecr'a boy. Speedily tho
fro in tho littIo stove began to throw
out comforting heat, and by and by tho
grateful odors 81 cooking wora ditl'uscd.
Thon, with the assurance Of another
visit and moro substantial aid, tho dis
permcrI of good chpnr left the poor fam.
lily to thoir unexpected enjoyment
"Doyuu thml, that charity was well
hcalowalg asked the woman, ~ tho
coupe horo them swiftly away FROM 'ho
toucmrnt district,
ayes, indeed, do. - replied tho man.
with suspicious ,romor in his voice,
Well, thClo IL u list of Nha! |
bought, together with tho prices, = con.
tinuod tho woman, handing Il bit Of
paper to hor companion. lctooll it and
read;
% pounds coal s..,,.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 20
2hndloA liudinEs .....,,,,,...,...,.,...... .Oa
Half pound ....,....,....,,. la