The Washington herald., 1909-08-01
KINDLY ACT OF CHARITY
POIicemanS Tale Not Unusual One to Prove World Is
Growing Better.

But come, walk with me. and I will tell
you
And as we stroued along his beat he
explained
Yes: I caught her last week-caught
her washing q kids face IN a shanty
over In the West End where mansion
and hovel are chummy. II their inmates
are not poor widow was confined TO
her bed She has three children. the
elder. fifteen OF thereabouts. working in
a department store and striving to keep
the family from starving. This fine miss
who has just passed US had learned OF
the widows illness through her maid. I
afterward heard and having only a pass
ing interest IN the abomination which
has come 70 be known as organized char
ity work, had gone 10 investigate and TO
render whatever aid was needed unin-
! numbered by red tape. Not only did she
find the widow stricken Of illness. that
there was no food or fuel, but that there
was pressing need OF the saving grace OF
soap and water
' In the way in which many things
come 10 our ears. l. too, had heard OF the
widows plight, and We policemen do no,
report such cases to the organized char
ity bureau until We have investigated
( them, and then not always, as we find
| many who detest a certain form OF aid
So 1 walked into the pitiful place that
morning and found our Hebe washing a
youngsters face, while a baby sat on the
floor complacenuy chewing a dainty lace
handkerchief which had been dropped to
the floor.
Her face frightened as I came 20 at
tention. and she said 20 me as II il were
a matter OF routine duty for both OF US:
i wish you would try to get that fire
| started and help me 10 reduce this awful
place to a state approaching orderly com
fort Then she added. almost piteouslv:
/ My education has been neglected In the
matter Of kindling fires, and the boy who
| brought the coal ran on Immediately
Then I saw her torn gloves on the floor.
with mute. IL grimy. evidence upon them
/ OF her effort to make fire with gloved
hands
'Wel,' continued the policeman. In a
musing sort Of way. between US we
managed 70 set the house in order, get
pretty fair meal FOR the sick woman. and
generally to do the things Immediately
necessary. I was dispatched by the Sa-
maritan Of society for a ton Of coal and
a quantity Of groceries and dellcacies for
The sick woman. upon delivery OF which
the woman was assured that she need
feel no fear Of an organized charity
swooping down upon and badCing and
numbering her. and that a doctor would
be there that night and take her case
and that our lady OF fashion would look
IN again on the morrow. Then I escort
ed her, and very proud I was 10 do It.
too. 10 a cab stand. where. before giving
the driver his order. she handed me her
card, saying: "Of course. YOU will under
stand I want no report to be made Of
this And 7 would thank you II you
would let me know Of any cases similar
70 this which may fall under your OBJ
servation"
And that's the way I caught her;
nor Is her case an exceptional one, either.
ASK any old policeman. and he will have
quite few similar experiences to relate
Of those who are thought TO be only but
terlies OF fashion
After brief silence and a challenging
glance at the Dreamer the latter OBJ
served:
Doctor. your policeman's experience Is
common one do not rail at indisidu-
ais. but at conditions which call for such
exhibitions Of the charitable inclinat!ons
OF those who are possessed Of wealth.
An orderly society. with a proper distri-
button OF the created wealth OF the world,
would relieve your Samaritans Of most
OF their unpleasant tasks"
Softly, sir; softly. The world Is grow
ing better every day. and we may only
reach Utopia by evolution. Meantime.
we must accept conditions as they are.
ana not as we would have them"