THE POOR RELATION
A certain man had a Poor Relation, who was only kept in the family as a
Servant, who was certainly open to criticism, and who got it.
“He is so dirty!” said the Head of the Family, “That is why we make him sleep over the stable.”
“He is careless and clumsy—he soils, breaks and loses things—that is why his furniture and clothing are so poor.”
“He is a stupid fellow—not to be trusted with any important business—that is why he does the scullery work!”
“He is a sickly wretch too—it costs us a deal of money to have him cared for in the hospital and his defects attended to.”
“Worst of all he has criminal tendencies—he is a disgrace and an expense to the Family on this account alone.”
“Why do you keep him at all?” I asked.
“We have to—he is after all a relation. Besides—someone must do the scullery work.”
“What do you pay him?” I asked.
“We don’t really pay him anything; we just keep him alive—and clothed—so that he can do his work.”
“Was he born defective?” I asked.
“No—I’ve heard my mother say he was as good a baby as I.”
“And what relation did you say he was?”
“I rather hate to own it—but he’s my brother!”