The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-08
CAME BACK FLUSH
TO PAY HIS BILL
Man Associated Charities Helped
Sees Now Where Others
Il, Need Food and Fuel.
DEMANDS STILL GROWING
Intense Cold Sends Scores OF
Shivcring People to Ballard
House.

Or. James Buchanan, superintendent
of the Associated Charities, look ed
UP from his desk Yesterday afternoon
TO watch q youngish looking man who
had entered the big ante room, stamp
the snow from his shoes and walk un-
dressed and clean, but slightly the
worse for generous Toad OF good
cheer.
Il want TO pay you some money that
/ owe you he remarked, pcclinE open
his coat, ana digging his right hand
deep into his pocket.
There was familiar look about the
rudy countcnapcc. but the supcrin-
tendcnt cudgeled his memory in vain to
place him. His wonder grew when the
stranger slapped a shining quarter Oh
;hc table and pushed II toward him.
Dr. Buchanan is In the abit of doing
all OF the giving himself, and an in
version of the usual order of business
was as unexpected as 1t was novel.
You don't know me, do you?" con-
tinucd the stranger. as the doctor
made no move to rake In the silver.
wei. I don't wonder ut It. was
broke, and ] didn't have any clothes.
and ! needed bath when you saw me
last. I've changed"
That's all right. my boy, you don't
owe me anything. don't want tho
money" Tho snow. piled in high drifts
on the curling outside. assured tho
man behind the desk that the money
would be more useful in the hands ot
the debtor.
Wants 10 Make Good.
Nothing doinE, Doc; you've got to
take it," said tho stranger. he
pushed the coin toward him. You took
nc in Christmas week. when was
down and out, and cared for ME two
days because YOU said that had all
honest face and looked square. l have
come back TO make My face good. I've
got "a Job splicing wires at 81 day,
and came here TO pay YOU what
Owe YOU. am square, and you've got
TO take the money"
Dr. Buchanan recognized his guest
OF two weeks before, and. in view OF
altered circumstances, accepted pay
Inent for two days board and lodging
at IL i-2 cents per day. The young
man shook hands warmly and swung
unsteadily out into the snow.
These cases are pretty rare" re-
marked DR.. buchanan TO the reporter.
81 mean cases In which people we
care for come hac!; and pay us money.
1ShillN tHtN ltbui IL INl UIOtttI llcdi
and bed Now and then, Just as In this
case. an individual turns up with a
sick conscience and insists upon our
taking contribution. One man who
lett here and got Il good job sent us
81 some time ago OF course, any act
of this kind indicates TO a degree,
return of prosperity. and we appreciate
the contribution douhly.
Cold WnNc Hard on Poor.
we are having a hard TIME meeting
the demand made upon US by the poor
of the city as . result OF tho cold
wave. but we arc doing it. We have
less money to-day for this purpose
than we have had in all our history.
In spite Of the fact that our work at
This time is the hardest.
Two emergency wagons were opcr-
atcd on Saturday By the Associated
Charities. carrying wood and groceries
TO destirHe families. In addition to
this, between thirty and lhirty-f!vc
half-tons OF coal were delivered to
needy people AT its order by the fuel
companies, The situation became less
critical Yesterday with the rise OF
the thermometer. although the pres
cnce OF snow .pH the ground will con
tinue 10 makc. dairy demands upon
the Charities cou,nissary.
Between forty and nifty men are now
being cared for daily at the Ballard
House. The personnel changes from.
nay 10 day as the men leave for other
points or secure work. All bars were
lct down when the bitter weather de-
seconded upon Richmond and since last
Friday every one who applied for IL
without restriction or examination
was given food and shelter. 4 large
percentage of the men being helped
are good mechanics, for one reason or
another out Of work anG .cmporarilv
helpless. There is It noticeable alb
sence OF DRINKS and professional road
stcrs.
Hobos Avoiding Uichnund.
We haven't been troubled much
with hobos during This cold weather
Riding the Bumpers Isn't adapted 10
zero weather. ana the trcights arc not
bringing them 10 town Besides" said
DR. Buchanan. The Associated Chari-
tics isn't rated high in the hoho's bIuc
book. II hasn't got tho easy mark
star opposite It's name ana traInns
have found out that il cart lie
worked"
No less than five cases OF assertion
brought heavy burdens upon the Chari !
ties last week. All OF them were due
TO drink and general sn!frlcsgncss
Mothers with from three to .,c;;t cnii.
Gren We're left destitute in th4 face 81
the approaching winter One 0f tb.gc
families has been assignee tcu,uor ,rv
quarters in tho Ballard House. ana
the others arc being cared for al thetr
homes. Citizens and churches are 90.
operating faithfully In tho bog work
of tiding the helpless over tho cold
season.