The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-07-04
A PhilanthropyThar Pays.

Some years ago d 1Me1iApiiio iAiea1i
died leaving widow and several chill
oren in straitened circumstances. The
widows's only capital was brave
heart and determination to cope with
| misfortune.
She wished to enter the retail busi-
ness in the city Of Memphis, but she
had no money. SO she applied to a
well known lawyer of Memphis, who
was her husbands friend, for assist
ance and advice. This gentleman did
not have sum sufficient for her needs
but he interested himself in her behalf
and succeeded in raising for her a
fund Of $780,. He contributed s100;
eight hours Of his acquaintance each
contributed a like amount, making up
the desired sum.
The $500 was loaned to the widow
without interest for such time as She
might need it, or in other words, un-
til she became able to return the loan
The gentlemen agreed that if the
widow paid the money it would be
loaned to another widow for a like
purpose; in case she was unable to
pay voluntarily she was, never to be
asked for the money.
The lady invested sudiciously in a
modest little business. She was care
full and diligent. Success crowned her
efforts and she paid the money back
after two years
The gentlemen then took the money
and loaned it to another deserving
widow under the same circumstances
and conditions, and she in turn pros
pered and returned the loan. Then
the money was placed for the third
time with the same satisfactory result,
and so on this endless chain Of phil
anthrophy progressed until we and
the fund at the present time in the
hands of the ninth widow, who is do
ing wei, and who informs the gentle
men that she will soon pay off her
note.
This is not a fairy tale. It is a
chapter from life. and the parties TO
the transaction are well-known Mem
paians. Yet what a valuable lesson
this story contains.
It attests the honesty and reliability
cf the woman in business. 1t demon
strales the high sense Of fnancial OBJ
legation and moral responsibility that
most women possess. Here are nine
women who have been intrusted with
{. good round sum Of money without
security and no fixed obligation to re-
turn the money, yet nine women out of
nine have proved to oe worthy of the
trust reposed to them.
This widows fund speaks eloquently
of the nine men who made it up; il
speaks even more eloquently Of the
nine widows who have used it with
profit and returned it.
The entire transaction shows that
it pays TO aid worthy women. The
city may well be proud Of nine such
men and nine such women.
But here is an example Of intelli-
gent philanthrophy and united effort
along lines Of helpfulness.
That 5000 has built up nine estates
and is probably supporting twice as
many families. It has built up nine.
bank accounts, probably more, added
nine business firms to the commercial
life of Memphis and added nine tax
payers to the tax rolls.
Could these gentlemen have made
more fortunate investment?
What other fund OF like size is ac-
complishing so great a result?
What greater contribution could
these gentlemen have made to the
general welfare than this direct con-
ITlOUllOll VI SlVV CdClI ~ 4AASSS eAAN
necessities of a deserving woman?
I. was a most happy scheme, and it
worked out ideally.
But the results obtained have not
been accidental. The fund has been
intelligently managed, and the terms
and circumstances surrounding the aid
extended to each individual have been
Of such a nature as to inspire the no
blest aspirations and the most earnest
endeavor. These women have been
given faith in the providence of God
and the goodness Of man. The trust
imposed in them developed and en-
couraged the good in them. The loan
to them was not only an act of gen
erosity, but an act of confidence. 1t
came to them as a double blessing,
which at once stimulated their graft
tude, but quickened their pride and
self-respect
7.