The Washington times., 1918-09-15

THERE is an old saying that Charity
begins at home" In an ordinary
= course of events this quite often
true. But a shrewd District Attorney de-
ciied that in war times this oldfashioned
principle, like many other principles that
are acceptable and proper in peace times,
should be revised to read Charity must
be all charity"
So the District Attorney Edward Swami.
of New York City, staged a little drama in
his office one morning which developed
many startling surprises.
A distinguished Countess. of many i'm
posing titles and even more imposing grace
and beauty, had come at the request of
the District Attorney for an interview She
came willingly, but with great condescen-
sion. She was somewhat pertur5ed at
such an unnecessary interruption, fc- even
half an hour, of her widely advertised
efforts to garner great sums for the COM
fort and well being of our soldier boys in
France.
A worthy cause indeed, the suave Dis.
trict Attorney assured her, land the SOL
diers abroad must be very grateful to such
a charming friend who gives in their behalf
such tireless devotion in the collet ion of
IQnQS from Inc claTlIdDlN inclined persons
of a great city over here"
The Countess was shown a comfortable
chair drawn up to the window in the Dis
trict Attorneys office. II was a bright,
sunny morning, and the view from the
window on the fourth floor of the Criminal
Courts Building would have been delight
fully vivifying we're it not that just below
the window there ran the span of the de-
pressing Bridge of Signs, with the sombre
lines of the Tombs, New York's famous
city prison, piling up just across the street.
From the window the Countess could
see only the Bridge of Signs and the Tombs
when she looked out
How much have you collected, my dear
Countess, for the comfort of the soldiers
Over There?" asked the District Attorney.
"Oh-the people have been so good. so
sympathetic-they have given me almost
twenty thousand dollars" replied the
Countess, proud of her successes.
keen-eyed young man. Of a very bust
nesslike appearance. entered the room and
walked to the window, excusing himself
to the Countess as he passed her The
young man looked down at the Bridge of
Signs and oYSr at the TOmbs. silently
Then he turned and went out.
MY assistant, Mr.. Kilroe-he has a per-
feet mania for sending people over that
bridge, you Know laughlnglY explained
the District Attorney. "He likes to come
in here and look at ii every once in
while-to be sure it is still there So you
have collected $4,000 from your war ben
efits, your lectures and your entertain
ments-and all for the soldiers?"
'All for the soldiers, Mr.. Swami: |. feel
that We nOblewomen who are so fortunate
as TO have a high position in society can
do nothing better than give our time and
efforts 10 comforting the soldiers | am so
glad have been successful
yes, indeed" replied the District kttor-
ney. "And how much did you say you Rad
SENT to France to be used for the comfort
of the soldiers"
well, you know-that is-why, you see.
/ have not exactly sent ALL the money
over yet. You see, there are so many
things to be taken into account
Eyes, indeed, there are so many things"
agreed Mr.. Swami. and just then he was
interrupted by a physically large, rather
forceful appearing man, who entered from
the corridor door, silently crossed the
room and-still silently-peered out the
window as Mr.. Kilroe had done. After
scanning the Tombs for a full minute the
big man turned and left the room. The
Countess was curious, and looked quizZic-
ally at the District Attorney.
That is Detective Sergeant Mayer" Mr..