Helping out

Today I ran to the gas station on my lunch break and got a few things. As I was walking to my car I ran into this woman who was in need of help. All she wanted was a few bucks for gas. I did not have any cash on, but could spare a few dollars. I told her to pull up to the pumps and get a few dollars and I would go pay. I felt really good, as I am sure anyone does when they know they have helped another in need. I went in to pay for the womans gas. I waited in line paitently..hoping not to be late for my next class. As I got to the cashier, she ask me whos gas I was buying.. I thought she was just making small talk. Then she informed me that that woman often does this and lives less than a block away. It was a scam, is what she had informed me. I felt very awful. It was like being told you didnt win the lottery after the check has already been placed in your hand. I think helping others is better then winning the lottery, I believe what goes around does often come around in some other way. So I was very dissapionted when I had learned that I did not a favor for anyone, but enabled someone to pull off a scam. I have heard stories about people doing these things and because of that I will no longer give the man standing at the side of the raod any cash anymore...There are stories of how they live better than some working americans with a 9-5 job. So I gues I will no longewr help out anyone in need of gas to get to their emergency... what a fool I am at times huh??