The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-03
THE nun OF THE POOR

Posted up on the dining room door
of the Grand hotel at Ixe-les Gaines
was a notice that could not fail to
catch the passer's eye. AS the stream
of visitors drew near they paused,
single or in groups, to read what was
written on the door; and then passed
on, commenting each in his own way
upon what he or she had read.
"The Sisters in charge of the home
for the aged will make collection
during dinner today"
It was a recognized institution and
the habitues Of the place accepted it
as such; but some of the newcomers
began grumbling at the continued
calls that seemed to be made upon
their purses.
what bad luck!" said one lady,
turning to her neighbor. IF only that
stupid collection had been just a day
later l should have escaped it. My
cure ends tomorrow"
"Then, on the contrary, | think you
are lucky, even in spite of the col
lection" was the reply. Il know
wish / were leaving this week. I've
never known such place for making
money fly. This hotel is inQuitously
dear, / consider. And, then, there
are the baths and the doctor, and
tips expected by everyone. The
shops, too, are so tempting. One
never goes out without buying some
thing; and, no matter what one
spends on ones clothes before com
ing, one has always to be getting new
things here"
tits enough to ruin a Croesus!'
groaned third.
"And on top of it all" chimed il
the first speaker again, 1--WE are ex
pected to contribute to their loca
charities. The last straw, / call it.
my dear lady, agree with vol
there" said stout, prosperous look
ing man, who up to this had no chance
of joining in the conversation. :"
know these institutions are necessar!
and very excellent, dare say, and
subscribe regularly once year tt
more than one in my own neighbor
hood. But beyond that l draw line
eyes, yes" agreed several others
t'help those at home certainly. But !
is really rather too much to expec
us, who are only birds of passage, tt
support their poor for them in a place
like this"
II call it an abuse" went on thu
fat man.
"That is just what it is came tn,
chorus of agreement. This promis
cuous begging certainly is an abuse.
Especially when one would SO mucl
prefer keeping ones money in one
own pocket" added young Italian
officer, dryly.
II am so glad you agree with me,
said the first speaker, turning Quickl
to the officer, whose favor she ha'
sought for assiduously, but in vain
quite oblivious of the sarcasm of hi
remark.
There was, however, more than
touch of contempt in the smile wit
which he answered her.
81 am afraid l was merely voicin
the general thought, not giving M
own opinion" he explained politely.
"Then what is your opinion" sh
asked in tone of surprise.
'I think that one should give wha
one can whenever one is asked for
deserving charity such as this home,
he replied.
"a bad system, sir; a most perm
cious doctrine!" exclaimed the ia
man, who again managed to get a heal
ing. why are the old people thes
Sisters are begging for in home a
all? Why are they not se1f-support
ing citizens, like ourselves? Becaus
they have been improvident, idle, e1
travagant. Through their own fauI
sir, I say-through their own fault
'eVice is the forerunner of misery,
another man announced, sententious
lly. "That I grant you," rejoined tn
officer, addressing the last two speal
ers at once. But it is equally tru
that there are also many who, afte
working all their lives, find then
selves destitute in their old ag
through no fault of their own. B,
sides, there are many who could nc
get work: or who, getting it, coul
not do it from i'll health or for othe
reasons"
/ "You are a believer in luck,
i gather?" said his neighbor, who ha
not yet taken part in the discussion
''To certain extent am" answe
ed the officer. "And you, sir-whs
do you think about this collection
You ask my opinion, do your" r,
lpeated the professor for professor b
was, writ large on every line of hi
shrivelled sa1low face. my opinio
is that those who are determined /
get on, do SO, sooner or later, no ma
ter what obstacles may arise in the
paths. AS for so-called charitable ii
stitutions, consider them superfiuou
and undesirable. They are mere ha
bors for imposters, beginning wit
those who undertake the manag
ment."
Before the oficer had time to di
lsociate himself from sentiments s
contrary to his own, a priest, VIII
up to this had sat in silence, ber
forward and addressed the professe
with quiet courtesy.
4 Let us hope, professor" he sal,
that You may never come to see th
charity of such irnposters. "
The advent OF another group {
"a rrfss&..a.n. I'll e r.r.....s.. -