Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-02-06
To tie Editor o. the Idcr1udria Gu:cNe:

To TIE Editor o. tie -Itruclriu Gu:ctte:
Wilyou allow me TO make al appeal through
YOU to the many readers Of your valuable paper
ia Alexandra, knowing that among them there
arc some Of the kiudeSt hearts aud most gcu
erous gvcrs according TO the ul&ans that Goo
has bestowed upon them, to be found on this
Continent.
You have always been mindful o. the claims
of the poor and the needy but there is vne
form of distress among us, 10 which, perhaps,
as full attention mas not been paid a. elsewhere.
Sickness and pain are abou; u, aud al that
the thoughtful tenderness Of affection can su:,'
gcst is lavished upon our dear ones when the
dread visi'auts invade our d9clIlugs. but 10 tile
poor and trcndlcss there can come little OF
such loving ministry, and the weary hours
must drag Oh, with nothing - soften their an
guish We have taken few Of these home
less sufferers into the Alexandria lhlirhary,
but we sadly need there much to render hem
comfortable. One poor consumptVc could slt
for while aud rest her tired limbs If al easy
chair was provided tor her, and foot stool or
piece of carpet to keep her from the cold OF
the bare floors.
If any old house keeper could spare such ar
ticles they would be myst gratefully received al
the Iufrmary. The managers have so small Il
sum OF money to provide tho indspcnsabcs Of
rent, food aud warmth, that they fear to draw
unon their little store for the purchase Of iur-
niture. Perhaps if their great need is fully
known, it might be supplied by some heart,
grateful for the recovery Ut dear Que from
illness, or by some mournar sorrOwng Tor one
whom the tendcrrst minIstrations Of human
love could not keep among US.
You are doubtless familiar With the story oil
FeIice, so beautifully told By master hand :
How, coming from prayer and meditation on
the hill top, at evening tide, in the brightness
Of Youthful beauty, she must drink a potion
prepared for her sixteenth birthday, BY her
fond mother. BY mistake deadly poison was
mingled therein. and fierce commissions soon
rackcd her beautiful form But one man knew
the antidote, and the aged physician was hid
ing from his enemies in mountain tastocSs OF
sunny Languedoc. The father had his price
less Arab made ready for the search and called
10 agony for some Que to ride on the almost
hopeless quest, 'tor the love Of Christ" H.
starty came forward the strongest and trucst
of his workmen, and dashed along the road
to the forest. Reaching the river, the draw
was open and soldiers guarded It unit the
morning hour. But the magic words, "Anorc
Christi" brought back the response. In
His name pass over" The grim Warden
Of the castle opened its gates when the mystic
sign of the Maltese Cross was traced 10 the
air and in the lonely path of the leaty forest.
stolid children frightened into ute!ligcncc, and
brought the blacksmith to replace the lost shoe
of the painting horse. When the good doctor
was found the priceless elixir was in the haods
Of one, brother monk, DOW the good Arch
bishop minstcring III the Cathedral. The sign
drew him from tn. altar, and giidiog swiftly
through the crowd to his palace, he placed the
flask 10 the hands Of his old friend for tho
love of Him, who will have mcrcy rather than
sacrifice" As drop by drop was dealt out tie
the dying GIRL the flush came SLOW y back to
her cheeks, and the tide Of life to her veins.
Centuries have rolled CO since a votivc chapel
went up to mark the spot on the vinc.clad hills
of France, where Frlice prayed On her six.
teenth birthday, and though the memory Of
the fair French girl may have faded in her ma
tive land, the magic words speak to Christian
hearts everywhere, aud We minister to the sick
still '.for Christ's sake, who will an,wer
now, "in His name, We hear your appeal? 2
S. NJ
P. s. Contributions can be sent to the lu-
firmarv for the matr0u.