The age-herald., 1901-03-29
PeN Sketches of ReyAe{ Scenes

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER

Telephone your troubles to 1099-that is, if you are a storm sufferer. This is not new number adopted by the chief opera tor, but is the number of the new tele- phone at relief headquarters on Avenue and Twenty-fourth street.
 If you want to have furniture moved or are in need of bread, a lantern, an empty beer bottle, and incidentally some money, this is the place to go. If you need clothes go to the United Charities office corner of Third avenue and Twen- ty-second street.
 That the storm sufferers are not back ward in coming forward, the following note written by an applicant for aid to the relief committee will show:
 Dear Sirs: Please send me some coal, meat, meal, flour, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, coffee sugar, lard, soda, baking powder, salt, pepper, eggs and butter.
 "P. S-No medicine needed except some liniment of some kind"
 Evidently this applicant was hard hit by the storm, both literally and in a slang sense.
 Quantities of bread donated by the Co., dy bakery have been given away, and probably a carload of clothing. The hours during which the relief committee sit are from 10 q. m. to F m. and D. m. to 5 D. m.
 An old negro came up to the office on Wednesday exclaiming, White folks, wants yer ter gimme all yo' can-Fs Sc gwine ter git married this week." The Mayor gave him lamp, and each of the committee gave him a quarter, which amounted to $l.5O Besides this, he got BIO out of the relief fund. The S1.50 will just pay for his marriage license, and he will probably need the $l0 to give Judge Fea- gin for his first matrimonial scrap.
 Long before the relief office opened yes terday morning the sidewalk in front was lined with crowd of needy citizens To the right of the front gate were the whites and to the left the blacks. The morning sum- without regard to race, color or pre- vious condition of servitude, poured it's cheerful rays on all. The negroes were happy and with the utmost good humor were waiting to put their burdens on the white mans shoulders, where they prop erly belong, as soon as 10 o'clock came and the committee arrived. They were picturesque crowd, some in rags and some in tags and some in Mother Hubbard gowns. Among the latter blue seemed to be the favorite color, though a red dress here and there and a black Lad all bound round in pink woolen shawl gave a pleasing variety of color.
 '1 Ou all are hungry liiiS unOTIllnS lH- quired Clerk Whitfield of the mob of cit izens.
 Yes, sah, we sure is," said First Citi- zen in which statement the others &C., quiesced
 Come up and get your bread then"
 They came and saw and conquered and three empty bread barrels were left standing to tell the tale.
 
 Among the crowd was an old, ancient and venerable negress. Her face was deeply furrowed and her hands were withered with age and toll. On one hand she wore an old woolen mitten. She looked as if she was at least ninety years old.
 Did the storm hurt you. antie?" she was asked.
 No, sah. Dey didn't hurt none ob my bones' she said in a husky voice.
 Where were you hurt?"
 ''It hurt my things, Massa. It blew 'em all away an I ain't found none ob dem yet"
 Did you pray any?' someone asked her.
 ''Yes sir, dat did. Oats why Ise so hoarse now"
 Did you lose any money?''
 'No, sah. didn't hab no money ter lose It jist blew erway eberything but de close on mer back"
 How old are you, antie?" asked the first speaker.
 T dunno 'zactly, massa- My white folks dey knows, an dey says rse seb- enty odd years ole. Dey's got all my ages a
 You reckon that prayer saved you?"
 ''Yessir I know 1t did. I wouldn't be here now. massa, eff hadn't prayed"
 Beautiful faith! Faith in her God and faith in her white folks" Just a little