Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-23
WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR
BE6GINGS,


During the late war, and while
General s. was in command OF the
department at New Orleans, the
Sisters of Charity made frequent
applications to him for assistance.
Especially we're they dcsirous to
obtain supplies at what was termed
"commissary prices'-that is, at q
reduction or commutation of one
third the amount which the same
provisions would cost at market
rates. The principal demand was
for ice, flour, beef and coffee, but
mainly ice, a luxury which only
the Union forces could enjoy at
anything like a reasonable price.
1t was just a week previous to
the Red river campaign, when all
was hurry and activity throughout
the department of the Gulf, that
General s., a stern, irascible old
officer of the regular army, sat at
his office on Julia street, curtly
giving orders to subordinates, dis
patching messengers hither and
thither to every part of the city
where troops were stationed, stifliy
receiving such Of his command as
had important business to transact.
In the midst Of unusual hurry
and preparation, the door noiseless-
ly opened and an humble Sister Of
Charity entered the room. A hand.
some lieutenant of the staff instantly
arose and deferentially handed hei
chair, for those sombre gray gar,
ments were respected, if not under,
stood, even though he had nc
reverence for the religious faith
which they represented.
General S. looked up from hi
writing, angered by the intrusion
of one whose "fanaticism" he de
spised, frown of annoyance an(
displeasure gathering darkly on hi
brow.
"Orderlyp
The soldier on duty without tn,
door, and who had admitted tn,
Sister, faced about, saluted anC
stood mute, awaiting the furthe
command Of his chief,
'Did l not give orders that n
one was to be admitted?"
Eyes, sir; but"
"When say no one | mean n
one" thundered the General.
The orderly bowed and returne
to his post. He was too wise a so.
der to enter into explanations wit
so irritable a superior. All thi
. time the patient Sister sat calm an
n still, biding the moment whe
! she might speak and meekly Stat
!. the object of her mission. Th
: General gave her the opportunit
. in the briefest manner possibl
), ;, sharply enough, too, in all col
II science.
IS "Well, madam
Z She raised a pair of sad, daI
. eyes to his face, and the gaze was
" pure. so sanity, so full of sllel
d II pleading, that the rough old soldi
ID was touched in spite of himse
a. Around her fell the heavy muffin
a dress of her order, which, howev
{. {. coarse and ungraceful, had som
h. thing strangely solemn and mourI
full about it, Her hands, small Il,
fair, were clasped almost supp
is antly and half hidden in the loo
ho sleeves, as if afraid of her oy
y trembling beauty. Hands that hi
touched tenderly, lovingly SO maj
10 damp foreheads, that had sooth
so much pain. Eyes that had N
prayerfully SO many dying glqnc
''' Lips that had cheered to the m,
terious land so many parting sou
and she was only a Sister OF Oh;
:, ity-only one of that innumerat
u band whose good deeds shall Ii
after them.
ave have q household of 81
.. and wounded whom we must CT
for in some way, and | came to
of you the privilege, which
y humbly beseech you will not de
nF- us, Of obtaining ice and beef
- ...,,.., ,,,.,oncV