The Montreal Poor: The Farmers to the Rescue

The Montreal Witness, of the 26th ult., relates the following noteworthy instance of practical benevolence:

"About 11 o'clock this forenoon fifty sleighs of wood, driven by farmers from St. Jerome and vicinity, entered the city from the west, and, headed by the Dominion Band from Hochelaga, proceeded in line along Notre Dame street eastward. Father Labelle, of St. Jerome, to whose efforts the gift to the Montreal poor is principally due, drove in a sleigh immediately behind the band, and his hearty, good-natured countenance beamed with satisfaction as he received the thanks of the members of the corporation. The committee appointed by the City Council also formed part of the procession, which proceeded along St. Mary street nearly as far as the jail, returning by Craig street to the Drill Shed, where the wood was stored. One-half of the wood will be distributed to the French-Canadian poor, one-quarter to the Irish, and one-quarter will go to the Protestant House of Industry and Refuge. The farmers, after unloading, proceeded to the Canada Hotel, where a substantial dinner was prepared for them by the committee. They had driven to the city all the way from St. Jerome, some forty-five miles, setting out from that place yesterday afternoon. At the close, Alderman McCambridge, in a few words, thanked the inhabitants of St. Jerome for their generous gift, and proposed the health of Curé Labelle. Rev. Mr. Labelle responded, saying that his parishioners, more than himself, deserved thanks; he had merely thrown out a hint, and it had been acted upon."