The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-16
FIOWER& FOR THE POOR
Inauguration of the Season by the Ladies
OF the Mission.
HOW They WORKED YESTERDAY.
What TAey Have Done and
What They Win Do.

tuo Pesto' ~ ANNOUNCED tnas Tue new ork
Mission woui koommence work for the Mon
nay mornnl4 II No $50 Fourth Some who
listened knew not what by the "Flowcr
nisson" ~ those who did gladdcucd with tho
thought tina Vine pure, beautiful who have tor
ex years pra gathered flowers and taken them 10 the
unfortunat sjn the PRISONS the sick the hospitals
the nhrm IS khe 'shomcs and tho insane IN The asy-
Iums intei} 70 add another year OF mercifu work
lheir recAfsd Metropolitan charities generally
simply tine opening Of metropolitan pocketbooks THIS
beautiful mission u exception During six years
rs expcn pcs have only been $loo The ladies'
simply syplicit flowers, which they mako into small
bouquets land distribute to the sick, the poor tho
imprisonetd All Of their work is voluntary and their
reward the blessings OF the recpe Of their favors
NAUoURArISG SEASONS
Al ton O'Clock yesterday morning the OF tho
mission pm the door OF No. 23s Fourth
presonie busy, brilliant tho long tables
we're stfewn thousands Of brilliant flowers, green
leaves ahd half opened blossoms Golden haired chill
aren werc eagerly passing from table 70 table, catching
up sprays Of flowers complete the bouquets their
pders kere forming and arranging in baskets
Pho Ae OF the great city there, and busy I'm
Sers grouped the flowers ripping laughter upon
nc perfume laden air At o'clock their work was
lone SIX hundred bouquets had boon made in three
Aoursb and the .'nowor ladies'" tho patients and
nway the sick and dungeons OF great CITY,
Who those ladies' know They have
president committees, treasurer; they pay
their expenses and happy In their
work. What they Is expressed In a few
wordib-morc flowers and more ladies 70 help
10 tnci distribution. The Flower Mission Is strictly
lnacetarian. Among its members representatives
pf every church organization New York-Protestant,
Roman Catholic and Hebrew. The work OF the Mission
restricted to the distribution of flowers During
he past years the ladies have carried to the sick
houses and hospitals contributions OF
fruit and other deicacies
representative OF the HERALp yesterday said
Of tho 'missiouaries." ''what do the people the
hospitals say TO your?
s'Ths rrs, day." she replied, "the patients TO whom
the lituc bouquets offered looked them with
longing eyes and said they didn't care for any that
day They thought wanted 10 sell them; but at
last one poor girl almost TOO tar gone in consumption
70 speak, exclaimed In broken tones. Indeed, l
would give ything for OF them roses, marm
haven't cent TO buy with When We
planned that the flowers had been sent gift by
those who, although strangers felt sorry for them in
their suffering the news seemed
TOO GOOD TO TRUE.
Those poor creatures SO accustomed 10 be for
gotten by the outside world that at hrst they could
hardly realize this touch Of kindness which had come
70 them In few minutes, however, all those able
DO up crowded around baskets, begging Tor
oven . single flower, while those who too sick
be Of bed becKoning with pitiul eager
hess. We shall long remember the joyous tones OF
poor crippled girl, VINO lImped of crutch,
Ing the other the air, and shouting at tho top Of her
vosce:--"Look here, girls, git up, GIT up! Here's
some LADIES' with a lot OF flowers give away moth
ing" The only sad feature that, though our bou
quets Of the smallest possible dimensions,
not mako enough supply all, and the disappointed
link n
When had not towers enough 10 60 round-too
often, alas nc case In our great hospttalspreercnce
always given those confined to their BEDS and
the subtcruges to which the convaescents
sorted secure the muchcoveted bouquets most
com.cal One OLD blind woman, though well enough to
be up and dressed tho moment she heard the Hover
ladies coming would jump into bed, shoes and
ALL and with only the tip OF her appearing above
the sheets, would announce in the iecbcs tones that
she was very sick today When last told
:, SI1 she called t. So intense that IN
future she, at least, was always remembered.
Al tho ond OF our nrst season one Of the chief
physicians this hospital asked what he thought
had boon the effect OF our Flower Mission there. He
answered:-''I only hope that you will continue
mosphero OF The hospital changed the patents
brighten up wonderfully and your flowers have done
many OF them good than my medicine"
"How many bouquets have you given outS" asked
.During the nrst season we distributed o0o besides
quantity, OF ruit which very acceptable. Our
work has stendy increased each year. last summer the
number OF bouquets reaching nearly $4,000 The whole
in pots (Which have been taken to many tenement
housesl since organization has been in opera
lion has been In round numbers los, 000 But
while cur supply or flowers has steadily iu-
creased she demand has also In much greater ratio
der The charge Of the city over 600 patents. while
she private hospitals, homes and asylums almost
innumerable. Every year, as the mission is better
known new applications come In and the only un-
pleasant duty In connection with Il Is TO decide which
must DO refused We have tried TO be as impartial
dossbie. No distinction OF color, creed nationality
has been observed Catholic. Jew and nave
al been treated alike. But with the best intentions to
make our flowers 70 far possible. split
! rose When We receive. Ms we continually do such
notes this, coming from the head physician Of
one Of Our charity insane asylums Wards isIandl
They have queter and better since the last
you II you would only come oftcncr'--and
have perhaps of last flower, then wish
little OF the wealth OF the Overlooking country gar
dens might DO poured IN uR"
Are you visiting many Of tho tenement houses -
Eyes; for the pat two three years important
branch OF work has been the distribution oil flowers
among the sick poor In the tenement houses. None
but those familiar with the OF those rookerics
ean the suffering that cnsucs among their
inmates when sickness - added to their other ills.
Most Of us have experienced the pleasure which
, fcw flowers can give 70 sick person,
sven when surrounded BY all the comforts
OF our own homes Think OF the condition OF that
poor working girl whom fever or consumption
lakes while struggling TO contribute her share TO the
scsnty living Of the family During the past Two sum
SICK POOR HAWK BEEN VISITED
In their homes and gsddened with Cots lowers Tho
numbers Of the sick have been great that
have not been able to extend our mission In some
directions, but hope TO 40 so during the coming
summer. The avenues continually opening before
us One day last summer large box OF flowers came
rooms late in the afternoon 70 be taken 70
any hospital Having heard that tbore was 10 be .
meeting held thai evening at mission among fallen
In OF the worst quarters Of the CITY u was
suggested that We should the loose flowers there
which aid.
Tho next day the missionary charge came up TO
tc OF the excitement they had caused At the close
Of the meeting announced that some flowers had
u
cared 70 wait Tor them. The women we're almost Wild
with delight and crowded around, begging for even
BIT Of green Ono poor grl found In the corner OF
The room sobbing piteousIy faded rosebud Of q
kind Just like those which used to grow In mothers
little garden ut home" Several OF the hardened
women went away In tears hugging their flowers TO
,htir Dosoms. The LADY in charge SAID. sThc great DIFF
hcully has been ~ induce the girls TO come 10 our
meetings. but II you would only send Us flowers
lines really believe could be the means OF saving
some OF these poor creature&'
We hope extend our work during the coming sum-
and only That s,at,rlx uf naxcrs