| OCR Text |
Show j TWO LITTLE BOYS VISIT H THE STANDARD. m This boasted commercialism of ours H is not the equalizer that it should g be There is too much poverty along- H side great riches; there are too many Hj ?mall children in rags and too many H; small and large children un silks. H There is too big a gulf between the Hr poor and the rich. Hf This morning two boys, one six and H the other nine, walked in to our office H1 and tho youngest, as spokesman, in- l quired: H "Have you work for us?" Hl "What can you do?" the proprietor 1 asked. Hg "We can do anything," said the H youngsters. H They had overcoats which showed Hl long wear, but were clean. One boy H had mittens; the other used stockings H to protect his hands. H 'Where is your papa?" was the next B question. H "He works in the EasL Can't get H work here." MW "Sends your mama money? H "No, he has forgotten us." H "How many in the family?" H "Five children." HX Then the conversation suddenly H turned to another subject. The older Hf boy Inquired if he could have a copy H of yesterday's Standard. When the H paper was handed to the little fellows, H they turned to the puzzle page. M "You can get a box of candy," said H Tommy to his brother, "if you can H do this puzzle." B What a blessing that the child mind H cannot grasp the full meaning of pov- H erty and, in the midst of adversity, H can build delightful castles on the H prospect of winning a box of candy! H; The boys did not receive candy but H each was given some small change. H: "What will you do with your mon- Hj ey?" we asked, and they answered in H chorus, "Save it for mama." H Then they departed, botb smiling 1 and happy. H' Would this not be a better world, Hj if every urchin with frayed clothes li and poorly nourished body could pos- Hlj sess all that would be his fair pro- Hi portion of the wonderful productivity HI of our beloved land? We have creat- Hli ed a very selfish world and in doins Hl so have offended most against a great Hi! multitude of children condemned to Hr penurj' and want. |
