The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-09
SELL COAL TO POOR.
A Philadelphia Methodist Church's
Good Practical Deed.


Philadelphia, Dec Goal at six cents
a bucket is being sold between the
morning hours of 10 and IL at me Thir-
teenth Street NJ. E church. on Thlr-
teenth street between Race and Vine. a
great many people are taking advantage
of this philanthropy. Every morning a
long line Of women and boys and little
girls can be seen buying coal on North
Thirteenth street.
Rev. DR.. c. Edgar Adamson Is the
pastor of the coal selling church, and
Mr. Adamson is building up for his
charge and himself a rare reputation for
goodness of a useful. practical SORT Last
summer the church conducted On the
sidewalk before it a watering trough for
horses and a drinking fountain that
supplied the people with free water, fill
tered and iced. A teamster brought his
sweetheart TO Mr.. Adamson to be mar
ried in August, saying: You are a
stranger to me, SIR, but When you start
ed that watering trough of yours
vowed that when came to get married
you would be the man to do the job
for yours is the first church 1 ever heard
of that is kind to horses, and the pastor
of church so good as that can't heiD
but be a good man himself"
Now Mr.. Adamson is increasing the
good name of his church by his coal
charity The janitor of the church takes
his place at the coal bin each morning.
Usually when he arrives. a nJtl9 lie
is awaiting him-a line of women, lit
tie girls and little boys. No men are
in the line; the men, fortunately are all
away at work. The women and girls
are bareheaded. with shawls pinned
over their shoulders. They and tie boys
carry scuttles. old tin WashbOilers,
buckets, baskets-anything that VIII
suffice to hold coal. A policeman stands
at the front of the line to keep order.
The 5anitor is not ever required 10
change large bills.
A boy. as he is having his bucket
filed talks. He says:
Say DR. Adamson, he's an all right |
man You tell him for me that if he
ever runs for president, or anything like /
that, I'll vote for him when 1 grow up
IN tell him. says the janitor. So
LONG"
A little girl is next in line.
You folks are saving me whole lot
of trouble" she SAYS.
How so2" asks the janitor.
why when we couldn't get coal l |
had to see to it. somehow. that NOM
had something or other to cook with. |
First 1 tried bricks. A man gave me
some bricks, and 1 soaked them in coal
oil, but they didn't burn good. The heat
they gave out wasn't the right kind Of
heat for cooking, and they had a bad
smell, and they would go out if you hap.
pened by accident to blow your breath
on them. So then l had to go out and
gather wood. That was hard work
Sometimes I'd be chased for taking by
mistake, wood that was needed I
COuluu carry InucH at time, either.
The only way you can carry a lot Of
wood IS to carry 1t on your head. ana
there are not many people that cali
do that. Only the Italians can do it,
We'll, your troubles are over now,
said the janitor handing her her bucket
That's what they are" said the lit
tie girl. She walked away with her thin
arm straining at her heavy load.
Now a young woman, robust ana
pretty, with clear eyes and white teeth
appeared.
The only trouble with your business
mere Is that you sell al the wrong
hours" she said.
That so?" the janitor Intercepted.
'Oh, am only joking" said the youna
woman. But what I mean is that NM
husband would like to get this coal for
me- He doesn't like to have me carving
It through the streets. We have only
been married a couple of months. Won
see. But he can't come here and get il
between 10 and u, because he is work
ing then"
well, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make
an exception in your favor. Your hus-
band can come here any time that suits
him and I'll see that he gets his COAL
the accommodating janitor declared
THANK YOU" said the young woman
That viii save me a walk of half a
mile"
There was an old woman next in line.
w hat are these churches comm TOP"
she said as she extended burlap has
to be filled. Here is one that rms a
free school, where you can learn Latin
and Greek and DRAWN and writin' and