Life — December 25, 1890 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LIFE: Our Chvistmas Servmon. BY LIFE'S SPECIAL bisHor, Text: “TTHIS text, O, Brethren, is one often heard in the mouths of Superior People. “Tis wily sentiment for saving trouble. He who utters it generally softens the harshness of the statement by s . if deserving, would be provided for by the charitable societies. Now, ying that all begg: this is where the Superior Person encourages a popular falsehood, Chere are multitudinous and excellent reasons why deserving beggars cannot, under all circumstances, be aided by societies. UT let us suppose that the street beggar does not full all the requirements for organized: succor; let y which every us sup- pose that he is not the perfect type of humani: beggar should be; is that a good reason for letting him freeze and starve through the holidays 2 S Christmas approaches, there is an instinctive loosening LA ofthe purse-strings in the pocket of a well organized The desire to make the unfortunate more happy Christian AT THE ASTOR LIBRARY. “HAVE vou Gor Kyers?" Diogenes, vou “Yes, THAT'S IT, AN EMPTY CROCKERY NOC SOME POINTS ON INTERIOR 1 AnOOK WHAT TREES ANYTHING thou Ds MEANT A FELLER DOWN RELOW HERE HAS GIVE ste HEAD T AN TD WANTER GIT CKERATION,” SLEEP IN, “1 Never Give to Street Beggars.” at this season is one that deserves vigorous encouragement. But with the Superior Person previously alluded to, our text is simply an excuse for avoiding the bother of unbuttoning his new overcoat, and fussing about in his pockets to get out some change. F the recipient of your money happens to possess a few human weaknesses, it may be well to remember that you and that particular beggar have some points in common. It may also be well to remember that the fact of your not being a beggar yourself matter of pure luck on your part. Lire considerately leaves it to your own imagination to picture your present condition, if your parents had been poor and ignorant, and all the surroundings of your childhood those of intemperance and crime, THe shivering old woman, with scanty clothing and unwholesome face, whose nose and eyes suggest a familiarity with liquor, is not an angel from heaven, and there is no reason why she should be, It is safe to suppose that poverty, man, and bad example, have been chietly responsible for her downfall; consequently there is no justice in turning your back upon her now, Whatever her past, or whatever her future, which is hopeless enough, it is only natural to suppose that she does not stand freezing in the street from a habit of self-indulgence, or to gratify an overweening pride, or a vaulting ambition. She needs something, and she needs it very much, or she would not take such a means to secure it. I F it affords you any pleasure, O, Brethren, to relieve the misery of others, or to cast a little sunshine in the shape of silver into the wretched lives of those less fortunate than Be not deterred by the penny-saving dom of the Superior Person. yourself, pray do it. Lire wishes you a Merry Christmas: HE GETS ALONG WITHOUT IT. Tre mistletoe is now hung up To aid poor lovesick man ; And when there is no mistletoe He does the best he can, H ZAD OF FIRM (éo office doy): Here, take this box of cigars and distribute them around the office for Christm OrFice Boy: Yes sir. HEAD OF FIRM: until after | go home. (Hurrtes off.) Hold on. | guess you'd better wait comicbooks.com