The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-02
Nv MYRTLE MILES

The scene, a narrow little street where
tie humble homes are placed so closely
together the sounds of one worlSaday fam
ily are familiar to the others. yet all are
in blessed sight of valley sursing with
tree tops. nesting at the foot of hill.
lust outside of town. There is tiny
house standing in a patch of garden
rinsed round by a broken fence The
garden is well kept and prepared for a
few early vegetables, but the dilapidation
of the dwelling tells tale of dire power
ty.
Yet even this furnishes shelter for the
bent-shouldered man who is turning over
the damp sod a few PAGES beyond the
steps leading te the tiny garden; he
breathes painfully and with effort; his
snar1ed hands often rest heavily for a
motionless minute upon the handle of a
spade. When he lifts his head for an
instant you see the face under the bat
tered hat-aged lined and pathetically
gentle. and if you know his story you
might read the gratitude for shelter
which he gives To the body of women
who make his little home possible.
feeble best to earn the right to the home
given him by charity, you approach the
heart of one of the saddest human prob
lens. OF early incompetence or improv-
idence, maybe, you know not what but
he is old and poor, dependent, yet too
proud TO accept a living for himself and
his aged wife at the hands Of the state;
so with the work of his hands he supplies
but their simple needs and the ladies of
charity make his home possible with a
: monthly check for the rent.
Practical Work
This man represents the practical type
or work done in the community by the
Ladies of Charity, who recently an
nounced the appointment of March II as
rag Day, to be spent in gathering funds
Tor their work. 1t is typical OF their ef-
forts for humanity in this practical side
other work. as well as assistance in the
support of two old couples, the allevia-
tion of pain, and burial of the dead, and
care of the sick being among the various
necessary and worthy projects which
keep them busy dong good.
Mrs. William A. Porter, who is prom
inent in several philanthropic organiza-
tons, is president of the Ladies of Char
ity. a short time ago she announced the
decision of her organization to celebrate
Flag Day. and so that the public might
understand the cause to which they are
asked to contribute she described every
phase of the work.
''The Ladies of Charity" she says. 'fs
one of the oldest of charitable organiza-
tions. having been founded December s.
16l1. by st. Vincent de Paul. He was a
great lover of the poor and his efforts In
their behalf met with such encourag ge-
ment that in 1854 he took from the mem
bership of the Ladies of Charity, which
included people of the world, and founded
the Sisters of Charity. an Institution
closely allied to ii, and well known, sure
ly, to every one.
The duties of the Ladies' of Charity
consists in supporting the Free Clinic of
st. Nineent's hospital, where all-white
or black. male or female-may go To re-
ceive medical treatment free of charge.
we require only the knowledge that they
are financially unable TO receive treat
ment, for il is entirely non-sectarian in
its attitude.
People i'm Actual Want
"A message from some member of the
society usually informs us as to needy
cases, and visits of Investigation and of
sympathy are promptly made. Visiting
the sick, burying the dead and helping
those IN respectable poverty are as i'm
portant as any duties we may have The
latter is in my opinion most necessary.
We find many cases where people are in
actual want, yet dread the humiliation of
asking for aims
What funds do you require for pur-
suing this work. Mrs Porter was asked.
Last year We managed to secure $1,000
from the proceeds of Block Day and .
number of entertainments-ca parties
and such affairs-and we made use of
every penny. We pay as we go, YOU see.
There Is no scattering of resources, for
we only employ nurse when she is re-