Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1899 — TRUE KINDNESS. [ARTICLE]

TRUE KINDNESS.

Rich Man Who Believed In Doing Good with H’s Money. The late Colonel Lee, of Brookline, Mass., was a rich man who thought that the rich should give away money, instead of consuming their Income on luxuries and an ostentatious establishment. The man who accumulated and did not distribute was, in his judgment, not only selfish and foolish, but dangerous to society. The saying of the Master, “Freely ye have received, freely give,” so ruled Colonel Lee’s life that for forty years he was never tired of giving money to those religious, political, educational, charitable and commemorative objects which his judgment approved. He did more; he gave time, service, himself, at the command of duty, even jumping social barriers to respond to its call. A writer la the Boston Transcript tells this story: Colonel Lee was one day driving through Brookline, when his progress was obstructed by laborers digging in the street. Glancing at the men, while the obstruction was being removed, the old gentleman noticed one poor fellow with a handkerchief tied about his hand and evidently in great pain. Questioning the man, Colonel Lee learned that a pick had almost perforated his hand, and beside bleeding profusely and suffering intense pain he was in great danger from a poisonous development. The sight was too much for Colonel Lee.

Asking the laborer to get into his carriage, a victoria drawn by a pair of handsome horses, he took him to a physician, saw to it that the wound was dressed, and learning of the sufferer’s poverty provided for him generously until he could resume work. Later he placed him in a position to provide more abundantly for his family and to rest secure in the knowledge of his permanent comfort.