Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-01-28
a RICH CIVIC REC OBJECT
LESSON nv CHARITY.

LESSON IN CHARITY.
Hs Saw For Himself sEow tlAe other
Half Livssp and Lea-ned THAT All who
Ask For Help Are Not armbugs-The
Ecrpericnes Mace a New Man of Him.
One good woman, who has devoted
much OF her time for several yeara 20
the relief of distress among the very
poor people OF this city, succeeded in
opening the eyes, and likewise the pook-
etbook. OF q cynical rich man not many
days ago. She solicited financial aid
from him. and doubtless would have
met with q brusuue yebnff had it not
been that her position in society COM
mandcd polite consideration. As it was,
tthe rich man essayed to be patronizing
md said: MY dear madam, / know
that you try 70 do good among these
poor people, but I can assure you that
your efforts are practically wasted.
They take your money and such cloth
ing and food as you can give them and
then chuckIe over your gulIibiiity.
.sIf I can induce q starving creature
Co chuckle, / shall consider the time
and money well spent, replied the
woman. with a mild tinge Of roprucf.
"Oh, we'll, / suppose that You ara
bound to keep en- wasting your time,
res0rtsd the rich cyuic. After q brief
pause hi continued. 'fIf yoa viii dem
onstrate TO me mar you can actually re-
1ieye distress with q dollar, / viii give
1T 10 you last as ofta2 az you can DEM
Onsfrato it's usefulness in that direc-
tion.
win yOu come with me?'' said the
TINS challenged. The rich man
assented and accompanied his philan-
thrupic caller to her coupe. Both enter
ed the conveyance and were driven TO
the rsighbcrhood Of Eleventh avenue
and Eiftioth street. The conps stopped
in front OF an unsightiy tenement. In
siIense the man followed his companion
up two or three flights of stairs, and he
soon was standing in q cherries room
about 12 feet square. The floor and the
walls were absolutely barren, and there
were not more than four pieces o; fucni-
ture in sight. One was a small stove.
In which a scnnt fire was burning.
Al middle aged man lay helpless ON a
COT, and kneeiing by him were a boy
snd 3 girl 30 ra0gedly clad that their
white skin was visible through more
than one rent. A few empty dishes and
cooking utensils lying on tbs floor near
the stove told their mute story of dssti-
button.
The pathetic eagarness with which
The three ensAciated occupants OF the
rnrned their glances upon the Wis
itors touched u long dormant chord or
Tho rich mans heart. He involnntarily
thrust his fingers into bis vest pocket,
ont his companion, laying u restraining
Maud upon his arm. advanced To the
iot, in q delicate aud svispathesic
manner questioned the sick man regard
ma himself and bis chi!dron. She ex-
9lained that their needs had been called
her attention only y few hours be-
fore. She 0 ascertained that there
was urgent need az nourishment, and.
oldding her cynical friend to accomna-
~ her, she FASTENED 70 che nearest gro
cery, From long experience the good
woman knew just what TO purchase for
temporary relief in u case Of this kind.
md within a quarter Of an hour 4 bulky
basket was borne up 20 the deseiata
DOM by the grocer's boy. Speedily the
ir8 in the little stove began TO throw
put comforting heat, and by and by tho
~srateful oaors of cooking were diff1ssd.
Then, with tho assurance Of another
risit and more substantial aid, the dis
sensers of good cheer left the O fam.
~ to their unexpected enjoyment.
do you think that charity YVES wei.
estowedi" asked the woman. "a the
oupe bore them swiftly away from the
enernentd district.
Yes. indeed. / do. replied tho man,
With a suspicious tremor in his voice.
well, there is a list Of what I
ought, together with the prices.' con-
inued tn. woman. handing a bis of
aper to har companion. He took it and
ead: