THE “SOB-STUNT.”

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144146, 16 July 1913, Page 8

THE “SOB-STUNT.”

How the springs of charity can bo tapped by a now and striking method of making the appeal is illustrated in the Charity Organisation Review by a writer who says that at least a (iozen letters appealing for help in rases of extreme poverty reach the editor, of a popular London daily every Jay. The papers know the value of a good hardluck story, or “sob-stunt,” in-cl it is the case that possesses the most ci igiual details that is picked out for attention. Naturally, ho says, the very best “sob-stunts” concern sick children or faithful dogs. One which came off “a winner” is described. A mother whose husband was out of work sent an advertisement offering to sell “a beautiful blue-eyed boy, aged three, his father being unable to keep him.” A member of the staff was promptly put upon the case. The boy was bought from the father, in the mother’s absence, for £3, arid taken to the office in proof of tho purchase, being, of course, returned in a short time. The story of poverty was written up, and next day alj England was startled by the poster, “XJnepployed mother offers her son for sale.” In a few hours meat and groceries began to pour into the newspaper office, along with ]>cstal orders and letters insisting that the child should he bought back for the mother. Among a number of callers was a French countess, who, aghast at learning that in ' civilised England children were bought and sold, hurried'to the office to right this awful wrong. Before tho end of The clay £l5O had been received for tho t ise, which was genuine enough so far as tho poverty went, and a paragraph was printed stating that no jraore was required. For days the father, called at, tho office for “some of that money of mine,” He was allowed a few pounds for temporary expenses, atad recommended to go to Canada with his family, which ho did. Various people Inter on tried tho same plan, but that particular style of “sob-stunt,” having been run once was killed for ever. ■ I_l ~