Page:Thoreau - His Home, Friends and Books (1902).djvu/226

Thoreau had trifling patience with showy charity or with long-faced, cantish reformers. Distinguishing between philanthropy, in its restricted sense, and true service to humanity in the broad way, he wrote,—"I would not subtract anything from the praise that is due to philanthropy, but merely demand justice for all who by their lives and works are a blessing to mankind." Again, in characteristic form, is his creed of unpretentious service,—"Rescue the drowning and tie your shoe-strings." In his exposition of such principles in real life, he was ever ready with loving service. Among examples is the story of his devotion to a fugitive slave who rested for a day at the Thoreau home, probably the incident mentioned in his journal, for October 1, 1851. A friend, who was then a visitor in the family, relates Thoreau's tender care for the slave, his personal attentions to his food and rest, even bathing the poor, tired feet and, as a crowning self-abnegation, renouncing his afternoon walk to stand guard over the fugitive all day. In the historical collection at Concord, in the Thoreau room, stands a crude and striking piece of china. It is one of those unique statues of "Uncle Tom" holding Eva upon his knee; one of many odd devices of picture and cast brought into temporary vogue by the popularity of Mrs. Stowe's novel.