A Philanthropist

"A Philanthropist" by Josephine Daskam Bacon is a story set in the backdrop of early 20th-century society, examining charity and what drives people to give back. A dedicated woman, Miss Gould, throws herself into helping others, seeing it as her duty. She then crosses paths with Mr. Welles, a laid-back tenant who enjoys the simple life instead of any meaningful social change. Determined to change his ways, Miss Gould tries to inspire him, but she faces an uphill battle, also handling a reformed drinker and other villagers who bring their own challenges. The push-and-pull between Miss Gould's serious approach and Mr. Welles' easygoing nature leads to funny yet tense scenes. Miss Gould's project takes an unexpected turn when Mr. Welles proposes to her, making everything—her charitable work and her personal life—a whole lot more complicated.