Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1892 — At the Donna. [ARTICLE]

At the Donna.

The “Donna,” called familiarly by Its patrons the “Sisters’ pudden board,” sells dally, throughout the winter, hot nourishing food, at half cost, to unemployed London laborers. The men and women who seek its street-stand to buy a basin of soup or a roll of pudding are as unfortunate as cold and hunger can make them, hut they are never uncivil, and-si- 1 ways grateful. ' ' ; One lady who serves at the Donija counter gives, in Longman’s Magazine, the following touching instance of true gratitude on the part of a man who, almost penniless, yet wished to make some return for, the kindness of those who had enriched him by sympathetic speech and act: “One cold, windy day, I saw among the men a poor fellow whose miserable appearance made him noticeable even among so many sad-looking creatures. The way in which he shuffled up to the counter, laid down a half-penny and asked for a slice of ‘pudden’ showed that he was utterly out of heart. I gave him what he asked for. and an extra slice as well, saying: Tm sure you could eat this, too.’ “He looked up thoroughly surprised. I fancy It must have been a long time since any one had spoken a kind word to him. Then, with mumbled thanks, he went away to eat his dinner. Presently, while still busy cutting up pudding, I saw my poor friend hastily approaching. He just glanced at me, and hurriedly laid a pair of bootrlacings on the counter at my side. “ ‘That’s for you, lady,’ he said, and walked oft without another word. “I am by no means a sentimental person, but I really think 1 must keep those shoe-lacings always, as the most touching gift I ever received. ”