Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/275

232 His practice, when at home, was to visit to each house in the villas, and succour the distrest whereever he found one. He gave food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, help and medicine with proper diet to the diseased. In this way he walked over the village, day and night, distributing alms. He helped with money those poor persons of higher classes, who felt ashamed to beg in public. A rumour, therefore, had got up in the neighbourhood, that Vidyasagar was immensely rich. The foolish could form no idea of the greatness of his heart. They had not the power to comprehend, that a philanthropic, liberal man spends every pice that he earns for the succour of the needy. The robbers got scent of the rumour, and had also the information, that Vidyasagar was come home from Calcutta with a good, round sum of money. In fact, they had no idea that Vidyasagar was not a man to save his money, or that he lived from hand to mouth, and laid out all his savings on charities, without reserving a single pice for himself and family. They broke open the gates of his house at midnight, and entered into it. They were about 30 or 40 in number. Vidyasagar was in great peril. Though he was very robust and strong, it was not possible that he could cope with so many fierce robbers, all armed with swords, spears, and clubs. He at once fled through the back-door with his parents and all the family, and thus saved their lives. The robbers looted, at their