12 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



goods, which was a trial to him, as he could not resist helping 

 people even when they had no claim on his purse or consideration. 

 Once when walking with him from the Brompton Road to 

 Park Lane I could hardly get him along ; he would stop and hunt 

 for small change for beggars en route. The first stop was before 

 a blind man with a pet cat cuddled up inside his coat, while he 

 sat on a little stool by the curbstone with a tray of bootlaces 

 and etceteras resting on his knees, in hopes of tempting people 

 to buy. Here the Padre rattled some pennies into the mug 

 suspended round the blind man's neck. Then we moved on. 

 The next halt was before a pavement artist's work ; the Fire of 

 London, a bloody battle, a favourite racehorse, and various 

 other striking pictures adorned the pavement along the park 

 railings. Here the Padre made another frantic search for 

 small change ; having no coppers, silver was produced and again 

 we journeyed on, only to be held up by a woman carrying a 

 baby and crying over it, having just emerged from St. George's 

 Hospital and evidently very unhappy. This was our third halt, 

 and notes were taken down of particulars of the woman's story ; 

 then another search, but no money could be found except half 

 a sovereign, which he was, I could plainly see, on the verge of 

 giving the woman, until I whispered, " Charity begins at home," 

 and he hardened his heart, and with promises to look her up and 

 see what could be done, we at last came to the end of our walk. 



