Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-02-13

The Sanitary Commission Incident,

A~A' AA'~3 AOAVO
The Sanitary Commission An Incident.
Rev. J. Anderson, formerly Of Stockton,
writes the following as an incident in connec-
tion with the multifarious business aud bsnsv.
olent labors Of the Sanitary Commission At
Nashville: ...-~
Away up in tho fourth story of Hospital No.
3, and in the far corner of the ward, he no
ticed one day an old lady sitting by the side
of mere lad who was reduced to the verge
Of death BY chronic diorrh0a. She waa, 70
judge from appearances, plain. honest heart.
ed farmers wife, who had likely never before
travelled beyond the limits of her neighbor.
hood, but now had come to do what might be
done for her only son. In the course of a
conversation she informed him that if she
"only could procured something that tasted
like home-fOr instance some tea, which she
could make herself and which would he better
than that of the hospital-she thought it
might save her boys life." OF course It was
sent; and on subsequent visit che expressed
her hearty thanks in a simple, hearty way
quite in keeping with .her whole appearance,
still she was unaccountably sad. Something
IL
and like Banquo's ghost it wovld not down.
AT length it came out in an con6dng, inno-
cent way-more, evidently, because it was
uppermost in her thoughts than for the pur-
pose Of receiving sympathy-that her means
were about exhausted.
II don't think" said she, % it would take
SO much money; it is so much further from
home than l expected, and board here is so
very high that have hardly enough left to
take me back and by another week l will
have to leave him. have been around to
purchase some little things that he would eat
for he can't eat this strong food, but the prices
are so high that can't afford 10 buy chem.
And l am afraid that if go away, and he
doesn't get something different to eat, that
maybe"-anl the tears trickled down her
cheeks" he won't--be well.''
Mr.. Ingraham, who is an Episcopal minis
ter of the loyal, warm-hesrtsd kind, thought
that difficulty might be overcome; and if she
would put on her bonnet, they would 90 to a
shop where articles were cheap.
Proceeding to the Commissions depot, he
ordered a supply Of sugar, tea, soft crackers,
and can fruit; then chickens and oysters |;
then jelly and wine; brandy, milk and UNDER
clothing-until the basket was full. As the
earlier articles nestled under its lids, her face
glowed with satisfaction; but as the latter
lots arrived she would draw him aside to
whisper that it was too much, "really she
had not money enough" )" and when the most
expensive items came from the shelves, the
shadow of earnestncss which gloomed her
countenance grew into one Of perplexity-her
soul vibrating between motherly yearning for
the lad OH his couch and the scant purse in
her pocket-until slowly, with great reluc.
tance, she began to return tho cosiliest.
Hadn't you better ask the price?" said
the guide.
How much is it, sir 7"
"Nothing! madam" said the sorekceper.
".Sir ~ queried she in the utmost amaze
mcnt, "noth;ng for all this 7"
My good woman." interrupted the guide.
you have Soldier,' Aid Society in your
Yes; they had she belonged to it her
self.
"Wcll, what do you suppose becomes Of
the garments you make amp the fruits you put
ups'
She hadn't thought.
She supposed they went to tho army but
was evidently bothered to know what con-
ncction there could be between tho Aid Soci-
ETY. and that basket.
"These garments came from your Society
and other Societies just like yours 80 did
those boxes and barrels. That milk came
from New York those fruits from Boston !;
that wine was likely purchased with gold
from California-and it is all for sick soldiers,
your son has as much as for any ono else.
This is the U. s. Sanitary Commissioner s
storehouse You must come here whenever
Won wish and call for everything You want,
and you must stay with your sou' until he is
able to 20 home. Never mind tho mouey' g
giving out; you shall have more, which you
can refund for tho use of other sons and other
mothers. When you are ready to 60 l will
put him IN a berth where hs can lie down,
and-you shall save his life yet"
She did-God bless her innocent motherly
heart-when nothing but motherly care. could
have achieved it. When az seen, on 4 dis
NAL drizzly morning, she was with he face
beaming forth the radiance Of hope. making
cup {: ia on the stove Of . caboose &c:
for the convalesceut who was snugly tucked
away in the caboose be,th waiting the final
whistle Of the locomotive that would speed
them both homcward.
- Surprisingly fine as Mr.. Ever ,ett's
oration was at the Gettysburg conservation,
the rhetorical honors Of the occasion were
won by President Lincoln. His little speech
is perfect gem; deep in feeling, compact in
thoug and expression, and tasteful and ele.
CANT in every word and comma. Then il
has the merit of unexpectedpess in ito verbal