It is all very nice when one can exercise a benevolent spirit, and not draw upon his own pocket.
A well-authenticated story is repeated in this line of Dr. M. Monsey.
Passing through a market one day, he noticed a miserable old woman looking wistfully at a piece of meat hanging just within a stall.
“What is the price of this meat, sir?” she timidly inquired.
“A penny a pound, old woman,” replied the butcher, sneeringly, disdaining a civil answer to the wretched-looking woman, who probably had not a penny to pay for the chop.
“Just weigh that piece of meat, my friend,” said the doctor, who had been attentively watching the proceedings.
The butcher cheerfully complied with the request of so respectable-looking a customer.
“Ten pounds and a half, sir,” replied the butcher.
“There, my good woman,” said the doctor, “hold up your apron;” and he dumped the whole into it, saying, “Now make haste home and cook it for your family.”
After blessing the very eccentric but benevolent old man over and again for the timely provision, she drew up the corners of the apron, and ran speedily down the market.