Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1898 — A WOMAN'S GRATITUDE. [ARTICLE]

A WOMAN'S GRATITUDE.

She Came to Regard the Gratuity as - a Right. There is no telling where ingratitude begins or ends; there would be fewer good deeds done if everyone had a chart of the beneficiaries’ hearts. Of course we are taught to do good for the sake of good itself, and are well aware (those of us who are not pagans) that the eternal reward is to be conferred some time upon those who yield unselfish ministrations to God’s poor. But our very education from childhood indulges that instinct to be good because So that when we have done we consider a trifle more than our duty, although when we are hard pressed we admit to our pastors and spiritual masters that the needy are really our charges and the main spiritual test of our charity, we are never quite ready to accept the rebuff of thanklessness and ingratitude that is usually the portion of the well-doer. Perhaps there is no fate sterner than that known as the cahritable man or woman; the being to whom absolute strangers repair with their request for advices, moneys, sustenance. There is no salary attached to this civil martyr, but his time is employed just as though there were, with other unsatisfactory conditions attached to the office. If the charitable man or woman, who has been so unfortunate as to wear the reputation he or she has earned, declines to assist a polite beggar he may count upon vituperation and an injured reputation within the s’ennlght; which points a moral to all benefactors, not to let the right hand know, etc., and impress upon your friends that you are not so good as you’re painted. No one will ever find you out from any reports originated by the recipients of your good deeds.

This little preamble was inspired by several stories that have come to the writer direct from one of the noblest women of God’s fashioning, whose life is devoted to the pursuance of all good. For some months she has been intermediary in a little matter of $5 which a worthy individual Instructed her to place each month where it would do most good. There had been for some time on her hands a woman with several children and a sick mother; so she appropriated the money to their use, that amount paying their rent. As usual, last month, Miss S mailed the $5 to the woman, but to her surprise received a call a few days later from this beneficiary, requesting the usual stipend. Miss S was surprised, and told the woman that as usual she had posted the amount “It’s very strange,” replied the Ingrate, “because I should have received it if you had mailed it. I think you must be mistaken.” Miss S“— assured her that she had done so. “Well, I’ve moved since last month, but I left word to have my letters forwarded to me; and they would certainly have done so had you sent me that money. I think that person who gives you the money for me ought to know about it.” Miss S almost choked with mortification, but (foolishly enough) gave her a $5 bill, which she could ill afford, and told her she would look into the other matter. The letter was found at the postoffice and delivered by the postman with an explanation, whereupon the woman called again upon her best friend. “I am glad the money was traced,” she said, “because it raises all suspicion against yourself. As to that $5 bill of yours, I needed something, so had it broken; but here is what is left.” The astonished Miss S saw the woman deposit the change on the table and walk out.— New Orleans Tlmes-Democrat