The room was much better furnished than the average apartment of the neighborhood. There were two sets of dishes where one would have been quite sufficient. On the mantelshelf and around the walls were various unnecessary articles which cost money.
Miss Johnson noted all this but said nothing, although she resolved to report it to the committee. In union is strength and in multitude of counsel there is wisdom. Miss Johnson had great faith in the wisdom of the committee.
“How long has your husband been out of work?” she asked.
“Only a few days, but times are very bad and he is afraid he will not get another situation soon.”
“What is his trade?”
“He is a carpenter and a good workman—sober and steady.”
“If you give me his name I will put it down in our books. Perhaps we may be able to help him.”
“John Morris is his name.”
Miss Johnson wrote it down on her tablets, and when she left, the wife felt vaguely grateful for benefits to come.
The facts of the case were reported to the committee, and Miss Johnson was deputed to expostulate with Mrs. Morris upon her extravagance. John Morris’s name was put upon the books among the names of many other unemployed persons. The case of Joe Hollends then came up, and elicited much enthusiasm. A decent suit of clothing had been purchased with part of the money collected for him, and it was determined to keep the rest in trust, to be doled out to him as occasion warranted.