THE COLD CHARITY OF THE CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1387, 29 June 1878, Page 19

THE COLD CHARITY OF THE CHURCH.

A district visitor from one of the churches called upon a family at Somerville, Massachusetts, the other day. It had been delicately insinuated that the family was poor and deserving, " Are you comfortable 1" inquired the D. V. " Comfortable," said the mother, " just look at that girl's underskirt, will you 1" pointing to a healthy looking girl of fifteen who was chewing gum in' a corner. The visitor examined the article of wearing apparel, and confessed that she did not see anything the matter with it. "I fancy," said she, "that a skirt like that would be real warm and comfortable. It seems to me that being so thick and heavy it is especially adapted to warmth and comfort." " Did you notice the colour of it V asked the mother sarcastically. "Of course," replied the D. V. "I should say it was brown." "Then," said the mother, transfixing the D. V. with a scornful glance, " you know it isn't scarlet ?" " Certainly," replied the D. V., "I know it isn't scarlet." "Is that a this year's hat?" asked the mother, twirling one of those articles round her hand. "I'm sure, I cannot tell," said the D. V., rising, "You should be the best judge." "Well, it's a last Year's hat," said the mother, " and I want you to understand that I have nothing elsw to go out in." "Then," said the D. V., as she gathered up her skirts preparatory to taking her departure, " this is the extent of your grievance, that your daughter hasn't a scarlet skirt, and that you have not a new hat 1 Then you do not want for food or coal or " " No," replied the mother, majestically; "we don'fe want for nothing but fashionable clothes, and if the Church can't help U3 in that, what is the Church good for 1 " The D. Y. took her leave. — Somerville Journal.