The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-12-20

cleanliness, giving work. IL possible,
and teaching the lesson of self-help
and independence, rather than pauper-
ism. When we find those who are un-
willing TO work, our theory is to with
hold all assistance. Now that sounds
all right--but take the family OF q
drunken husband, discouraged or
lazy mother and freezing and suffering
children-what shall we do with our
philosophy? These are the cases that
puzzle the women of our association
and make our work hard and difficult
to do. We havedoften beer censured
by friendly. wcll meaning people for
helping this class, but we can only an
swer, "p1ease step insidP and help
solve the problem. or close the saloons
and gambling dens; then TIE question
will be answered"
Restricted Now
BY Lack of Money
At present. and for TWO or three years
our work has been much restricted on
account of lack of money. This has
been owing principally to the unfortu-
nate management Of % the Hartford
fund, but happily we can offer work
to all who are strong and well.
In this connection we take pleasure
in thanking the management of the
Houtz poor fund for their timely assist.
ance. We also gladly acknowledge the
Thanksgiving offerings from the union
services given us by the Ministerial
association for several years.
And now, in looking back over the
past, and noting the changes that have
come to our association, we find but
two or three of the little bard of wo-
men who started with us twenty years
ago. A few have left the city for other.
homes. The others have wrapped the
drapery of their couch about them, and
laid down to pleasant dreams" But we
recall no one who entered this associa-
ton and took an active. earnest part
in the work, who willingly abandoned
or neglected it. Somehow we cannot
we dare not--let go. We may be I'M
posed on by fraud and our efforts at
times misdirected; but the worthy
cases, those who by some judicious
help can be self-supporting---what a
pleasure to start them in the right
way.
N0riting Among
ssThe Worthy P00r''
Some ten years ago among the fam
lilies under our care. was little woman
with five children. She had been de-
serted by her drunken, unfeeling hus-
band. For two or three winters, we
gave her such help as she required.
She kept her children in school-al-
ways clean and neat-and did what
she could to help herself. The fourth
year she informed us that she could
manage with almost no hnlp at all.
Three or four years later in very cold
weather, we made a request through
Our city papers, for second-hapd cloth
ing. :. This little woman appeared at
our rooms one day with q large bundle
of beautifully mended. clean, garments
mostly boys clothes--saying:
1--WE are so glad to help in this work.
You saved my children from separa-
tion by being placed in other homes.
And think you saved me from the
insane asylum. Now my boys are all
at work. They are doing well. and
they too want to give you back little
of what you gave u.s."
also recall the care of one family
who were without work and In need
but asked only for what was most nec-
essary. They left the city In the spring
following, but year later letter came
to the association containing sufficient
money to repay all we had done foi
them, and after many thanks for the
help given. the writer of the letter said
he had found work. and gladly returned
the money that We might help Others
who were In like circumstances.
We could multiply these cases, bu,
mention them only to show the wots
/ the Canton Associated Charities hayt