Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-19
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Question of Charity.

trees or swinging merrily on invisible
wires. flooded the place with soft light.
There were long tables, over which
presided young women in white, who
strove to sell you all sorts of dainty,
impossible things; Il tent where an oc-
casion- made gypsy told your fortune;
a lottery with prizes ranging from pea
nuts TO a French doll; a refreshment
bar where tie only change from your
prOffered bill was a surfeit Ofigrattude
and an engaging smile. Well'dOwn the
lawn. behind an imprOmptu screen of
potted plants, an amateur orchestra
WAS nggIing-herOicaliy, at least
with classic OvertureS-
For something over half an hour
Mr. Robert Weston had been wander
ing about. making most reckless pur-
chaSeS at the tables and playing the
lottery with all the abandon of Il born
plunger. 10 all appearances his course
about the place was very bike that of Il
ship without IL rudder. Yet there was
method in his madness. and all the
time he was being OurageOusly swim
died at the various booths. from the
corner of his eye he was watching for
certain white dress and Il crown of
copper colored hair. Presently his pa
thence was rewarded. Far down to-
ward the palm screen he saw her sink
into a lawn chair. He deposited his
bundles in an undignified heap on .
neighboring table and made his way
TO the lawn chair.
Nan" he said gravely as lie came
up TO her, you're tired to death. poor
child
.Oh. no." she said. only I'll be glad
when it's all over"
Come away from it for awhile" he
advised. I'll take you down to the
bOathOuse."
She rose and slipped her hand
through his arm. Together they de
scended the slope to the river and
went out to the end of the little pier
by the boathOuse. where they sat down
OH rustic bench
We'll" Weston said. was it sue
cess?'
lit would be IL everybody spends
money as reckIesSly as you have been
doing" she replied
He laughed. II was particularly for
tunate in the lottery" he explained. i
drew four bags of peanuts. Il doll and
box of hairpins. My last purchase was
three aprons and half dozen tiatirOn
holders. Imagine it" he chuckled
Anyway" she said, you've done
your best 10 help us out. You're dear,
good boy"
All" he said solemnIy. Il knew l
should be discovered some time.
Tell me. Nan, what this is for" he
went on after pause. prayer books
for the EskimOs or blankets for the
Fiji islanders"
The money goes to st. Agatha's
Home For Orphans and Foundlings.
We support it mainly" she explained.
"H'm-m.' he unused. Don't suppose
you ever see the orphans and found
linCs.' do you? Just turn over the
money to en- and let it go at that. en-?
Say, Nam" he said. with Il sudden seri-
ousness which rather surprised her. II
don't believe all this giving money to
charity is the best way of doing ii.
There are plenty of old mOneybagS
trying to buy n chance to heaven
who'll look out for that end of it. l
say. for those who are fitted for it, per
sonal work among the needy is the
most practical thing"
Perhaps Il few details would make
your suggestion more explicit, Bobby"
she said.
Undoubtedly" he assented cheerful
ly. Now. for instance, take a case /
know about. There's an orphan. and
he's cold and hungry and lonesome. II
isn't so much money he needs as some
one To take an interest in him, to
stand behind him. as il were. You see.
they won't take him into Il home
why mott" she interrupted.
Well" he said slowly, to begin
with. his age
What is his age?"
'.Thirty-one."
Gracious. I should say be wouldn't
get into 4 home. The age limit at st.
AEatha's is fifteen. Thirty-one,"
Il realize it's crime for him to he
thirty-one.' he said. Still, that really
isn't his fault"
What's the matter with him. she
asked sharply. Doesn't he work: Is
lie lazy"
The LATEST rascal alive he said.
'But he really doesn't have TO work.
you know. He's got money enough. as
far as that goes-keeps horse or so
and an automobile. When l said he
was cold and hungry l meant he was
cold for lack of interest and hungry
for sympathy and-Oh. hang il, You
know well enough what / mean. The
orphan is me- he burst out INGRAM
matically. and - and - for heavens
sake. don't send all your charity TO st.
Agatha'S, but save little for the lone
some thirty-One-ye ar-old orphan
Bobby she said severely. you're
proposing again, and you promised me
you wOuldn mot for a year"
An ability to tell the truth never
did run in our family he said dismal
ly. Il assure you. won't offend in the
proposal line again, however,
% Z Il ,irsl- vii Ho 4