The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-24
RICH WOMEN
HARM POOR GIRLS

Il wonder did you ever count the
value of one human fate
Or sum the. infinite amount Of one
hearts treasures
And the weight Of one LIES venture
It isn't that rich women in general
haven't big hearts which are filled
with pity for their poor, helpless sis
ters and desire to aid them, but they
do not know how to go about it. The
plans of some rich women to aid poor
girls would make one fairly gasp.
A group Of New York women, wives
Of mu1ti-rni1lionaires, met at lun-
cheon at the waldorf Astoria to dis
cuss this absorbing question All sorts
of ways and means were introduced
to better the little girls of the tene-
Tnents. The plan hit upon which
seemed most feasible was that 1T would
be a splendid deed OF charity for each
woman to take a poor little girl into
her home, giving her long vacation
free from care, with all the advan-
tages Of wealth about her. Perfectly
splendid idea!'' ehorused the ladies
over their chocolate and peppermint
bonbons
They were very enthusiastic when
they laid their plan before me. My
heart, first, last. and all the time, is
with poor girls struggling with pow
erty. Yet had to set my veto against
the scheme for the following reasons:
In the first PLACE, it would be dan
gereus undertaking to lift young
girl who was wholly unprepared for
it from want to wealth. Youth quick
~ adapts itself to change Of cireunn-
stances. Entering a new life, leaving
the old one behind, would be a won
derful transition If the new life of
happiness was to last. Never having
ben surrounded with pleasure and
Esplendor, very poor young girls do not
know what 1T is like and therefore
never sigh for it.
A little knowledge is a dangerous
thing. After having once tasted the
fruits OF wealthy like a tiger that
tastes blood. she ever afterward would
thirst for it. When q year or so has
elapsed, the society woman grows
tired Of playing benefactor.. She closes
her house and goes south or abroad
for an extended stay. She makes the
girl a present of the pretty clothes she
has worn and sends her back to her
home Ein the tenement.
Instead of doing the girl a kindness
IN introducing. her to a life Of wealth.
she has done her world of harm
That child will never be satisfied af-
teF that with honely, humble toll that
pays TOR a meal with honest-hearted
hiTfollxs or the companions of other
days Ever after, she will see life in
false light. Toll will be frlxsone
Her existence will be made up OF
signs, tears and repinings. She will
think the only pleasure in life con-
s1sts OF balls, parties, automobiles, "
ing in bed till high noon, her break
fast served, in her boulder
Her idea of manhood will be a false
standard She will think that man
riches can cover all his faults If a.
woman takes a poor child into her
home, it should be with the idea that
she shall be taught some useful Occur
patton to aid her in her after strug-
giles. She should not be permitted to
be an onlooker on the frfvolity of life.
Such plans would benefit q poor aairI
She would bless the woman for giving
her an opportunity to make something
OF her future whereby she could not
only help herself but the needy ones
at home. Better to start an employ
Inent school where she would gain all
1.-THE advantages and none Of the dis
advantages of the charity