, 1875-03-28

Side Flower Mission" entered upon the new
work. Tbs first meetings were held Saturdays,
and aftarward every Wednesday morning, in the
lccture~room Of Unity Church, where the flow
ers were collected and prepared for distribution.
Arrangements were made, early in the spring,
for receiving flowers from the southern part Of
the State. and the FIRST distribution was made in
st. Luke's Hospital. the "a day Of Mar. 1hi1e
the chilling north winds still linger among us.
OF these trsr gifta tho Matton said, :1Thc
bright bouquets we're like au electric shock to
dreamy afternoon, and for while they forgot
their sufferinst, 1ealizlns that spring had come
somewhere"
Later, as tho miesion became known, geney-
ous hearts and willing hands were found in the
city aud country eager to share with the sick
and distressed the sweet treasures Of gardens
and fields. The ladies OF Geneva ILL.,, entered
heartily into the work, and were the first con-
tributcrs. 4 society was formed, seeds sere
sown: and plants tended specially for the " mis-
sion," and regular system Of collecting, pack
ing, and forwarding onco Weak Was kept uD
through this ont!ro simmer During the early
spring weeks the children went in crowd. to tha
woods and fclda to gather wild flowers, and
several times bouquets wura gent By them ITO
the llttio sick boys in Chicago"
Through the energetic efforts OF friond in
Rockford, the ladies' OF that place became the
next helpers, sending throughout the season
large supplies Of their choicest flowers, and il
soma instances r.fusin. them to rnolr friends,
that tho sick md suffering might onjoy their
fragrance and beauty. The express companies
generously transported all such offerings free
Of charge. and made special effort to deliver
them fresh aud bright.
In July number OF ladies from tbs south
part OF tho city, with others from Riverside,
through Mrs. Sherman, hrs. Gage, and Mrs
Hilton, expressed wish to join in the work.
T hnt1 +r
regularly from such distant points. "bsanch
mission" was formed which met every Wednes-
day morning in the yeatry Of Grace Church,
Wabash avenue. To the hearty and efficient CO.
operation Of this "branch the SUCCESS of the
Emission :" is in great measure due.
At times during tbs sea.on flowers wero re-
ceived from Mr: L. Ellsworth, Naperyills; Mrs.
Sbackford and Miss Carroll Wiunetkn; Mrs. G.
B. Stowell, Hudson. Mich; Mrs. DR.. Tookes,
Crystal Lake; Mrs. Sherman, H. J.. Ford, Esq,
and others, Riverside; Mrs. Barrous, and others,
Enslswooa; also through Q. Q. Gibbs, ESQ.,,
from Downer's Grove aud Western Springs.
Contributions of flowers fruit, boys road.ng-
matter, oEc., we're received from the following
persons in tho city: Mrs. George Adams, Mrs.
Coon, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. L. Fogg, Mrs. Charles
Mrs. Hilton, Mrs. F: Hove, Mrs. F. Heywood,
HRS Hammishem, Miss Rose Larrabee. Mrs.
Morgan. Mrs. North, AIRS. J. P. Maxwell, Mrs.
Judge Peck, alrs. Pryor, Mrs. Il. Stevenson, Hrs.
Seymour. Mrs. E. Wright, Mrs. J. Wilkinson,
Masters Haywood Master and Misses Pryor, and
also from florists in charge Of tbs Boulevard, and
Messrs Allen, Blumenschian, Farrell, Haskins,
Krantz, Muir, Shepherd and Sanders.
These, with few contributions from persons
unknown, enabled US to make weekly visits to
the hospitals and charitable institutions, and
frequently to the sick poor in their homes,
Five Thousand eight hundred and nins bouquets
were thus distributed, besides q small quantity
Of fruit, magazines, papers, and toys to the sick
children. OF this number, l. ia wera distnbut-
ed by tho "branch 1n:salon."
No one can fully realize without seeing it tho
eagerness with Which such gifts are received
Could tho donors hear the "Thank you" OF
"God bless sou," which follows tbs ladies from
cot to cot, or see the fearful eye and quiyering
lip. more eloquent than woids, ws are cure they
would feel amply repaid for their time and
trouble
Il behalf OF tho hundreds who havo been
cheered and benefited, the LADIES' extend their
sincere thanks fur ali donations to the express
companies Tor free transportation; to friends for
the use OF carriages; to hospital attendants, fer
their kind courtesy, and to all who havs in any
way contributed to the succesa OF the " Flower
Mission"
It is earnestly hoped that the generous aid
given in the past will 10 increase during the
coming year that We may sometimes be abla to
carry glimpse Of summer freshness and beauty
to the weary sewing-glrl at her daily taak. aud
to the prisoner in his call as we'll as to those
who, by weakness and pain, ara forced to re-
main in hospitals. or close dark rooms within
their eYn Aones~ G. P. TuToN,
EacratBrv