Ham, Sausage--and Tears

When Mattie Schultz was caught in a San Antonio market, slipping $15 worth of ham, sausage and butter into her purse, she had a simple explanation: "I was hungry. I was desperate." Mrs. Schultz, 91, subsists on $233 a month, from Social Security and her late husband's military pension. She had once saved $5,000, but all except $10 was taken from her in 1973 by a swindler. Last month, after paying her rent and utilities, she had nothing left for food.

Out of pride, the widow has refused food stamps and welfare. So, when arrested, she was too embarrassed to give her home address. For the first time in her life she spent the night in jail. The next day she was released and the charges were dropped. Said she: "I wish God would close my eyes. I'm so tired of living."

After her story was published, people across the country sent her loaves of bread, tinned vegetables, $2,200 in cash and more than 300 letters of sympathy. This made Mattie Schultz feel better. Said she, with tears in her eyes: "God bless all these people."

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