The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-30
WHAT THEY DO WITH 1T.
Br ELSIE LEIGH wHIrTLEsEY.
philadelphia Sunday Times

During the late war, and while Gen.
was in command Of the department at
O.. the Sisters Of Charity made frequen
applications to him for assistance. Espe
eially were they DESTROYS to obtain sup
plies at what was termed ICON issar.
nricea"-that ia. at a reduction or comma
tation of one third the amount which th'
same provisions would cost at marke
rates: The principal demand was for ice
-four, beet and coffee, but mainly ice,
luxury which only the Union forces could
enjoy ut any thing like reasonable price
The hospitals were full of the sick and
wounded of both the Federal and Confed
crate armies, and the benevolent institu
lions of the city were taxed to the utmost
in their endeavors to aid the poor and suf-
feripg, for those were trying times, and
war has many victims. Foremost among
these Christian workers. stood the various
Catholic Sisterhoods. These noble women
we're busy day and night, never seeming to
know fatrgue and overcoming every obsta
cle that in SO many discouragiDg forms
obstructed tho way of doing good-obsta
Giles which would have completely disheart
ed less resOlute women, or those not train
ed in the school of patience, faith, hope and
charity, and where the first grand lesson
learned ia self denial. OF money there was
little, and food, fuel and medicine were
scarce and dear, yet they never faltered,
going steadily on in the face of all Difficult
ties through poverty, war, and unfriendly
aspersions, never turning aside, never com
planning, never despairing. No one will
ever know the sublime courage of those
lowIy Sisters during the dark days of the
rebellion. Only in that hour when the
Judge of all mankind shall summon before
Him the living and the dead, will they re.
oeive their true reward, the crown ever
lasting, and the benediction, "weli done,
good and faithful servant"
waa inst a weak UraVi0uR the Red
River campaign, when all was hurry and
activity throughout the department of the
Gulf, that Gen s., stern, irascible old
officer of the regular army, sat at his desk
in his Office on Julia street, CURLY giving
orders to subordinates, despatching mes
the city where troops were stationed, and
stiffly receiving such of his command as
had important business to transact.
In the midst of this unusual hurry and
preparation, the door noiselsssly opened,
and an humble Sister of Charity entered
the room. handsome young Lieutenant
of the staff instantly arose, and deferenti-
ally handed her chair, for those sombre
gray garments were respected, if not un
derstood, even though he had NO reverence
for the religious faith which they repre-
scented.
General s., looked up from his writing,
angered by the intrusion of one whose
noyance and displeasure gathering darkiy
on his brow.
StOrderly."
The soldier on duty without the door
and who had admitted the Sister, faced
about, saluted, and stood mute, awaiting
the further command of his chief.
''Did not give orders thatn no one was to
be admitted Z"
Eyes cir but"
-"When / sag no one mean no ONE"
Numbered the General.
The orderly bowed and returned to his
post. He was too wise a soldier to enter
into explanations with SO irritable a supe-
calm and still, hiding the moment when
she might speak and meekly state the OBJ
ject of her mission. The General gave her
the opportunity in the briefest manner
possible, and sharply enough, too, in all
conscience,
"Well, madame I"
She raised pair of ead, dark eyes to his
face, and the gaze was 80 pure, so sanity,
so full of silent pleading, that the rough
old soldier was touched in spite of him
self. Around her fell the heavy muffling
dress of her Order, which, however coarse
and ungraCefnl, had something strangely
solemn and mournful about it. Her hands,
small and fair, were cIasped almost sup
pliantly, aud half hidden in the loose
StcSNSe, ar II OI lUSlT own JTetnOnnG
beauty. Hands that had touched tenderlv,
lovingly, SO many death damp foreheads,
that had soothed SO much pain. Eyes that
had met prayerfully so many dying glances
Lips that had cheered to the mysterious
land so many parting souls, and she was
only Sister of Charity-oniy one of that
innumerable baud whose good deeds shall
live after them.
eve have a household of sick and
wounded whom we must care for in some
way, and l came to AJAX of you the privi-
lege, which humbly beseech you will not
deny us, of obtaining ice and beef at COM
missary prices"
The gentle, earnest pleading fell on deaf
care.
always something" snarled the Gene
raj. last week it was flour and ice to
day it is ice aud beef; to- morrow it will
be coffee and ice, l suppose, and all for a
lot of rascally rebels, who ought to be shot,
instead of being nursed back to life and
treason"
General 1.-THE Sister was majestic
now-"rebel or Federal, l do not know ;
Protestant or Catholic, 1 do not ask.
They are not soldiers when they come to
as