The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-12-13
Ghildren's Column.
For the Central Presbyterian.
Letter About the Presbyterian
Cot


Me- Dear Children,-I have promised
our friend, Mrs. Halves, who receives
your donations to the Cot, to write you
a letter now and then, because l live
nearer the Retreat than she does and
can see the children in the Ward every
day. You have been told so often about
this place, and particularly the pretty
room with its flowers, and toys, and
books, and so many things to make little
sick children happy, that l will not go
over it all again. While you will feel
interested in all the sick children you
are too much like grown-up people not
to feel particularly anxious to know most
about the little girl who is getting on so
nicely, because your pennies (and hope
your loving prayers and self-denial as
welD are bestowed upon her. Little
Jennie is her name. l think you know
that she has been for several months at
the Retreat on the Presbyterian Cot.
She came there a poor fatherless child.
looking neglected and sick. Salvation
(you must get your mother to tell you
what that is) had left her not only with
a closed mouth so that she could only
swallow milk and soup through tube,
but with hole in her cheek as large as
a silver half-dollar, which was so putrid
that the dear child would shrink back
with the big tears in her eyes, when we
kissed the other little ones and could not
kiss her. One day l kissed her on her
forehead, and l doubt if ever kiss did
more good, for she was so hungry for the
love and tenderness that probably most
of you have without thinking what a
blessing it is, that ever since, she has
chung to us all very beautifully, and it
has brought out loving nature that is
almost equal to a cured disease. The
Doctor first cut open her. gums so that
she can chew and eat like other people
the sore in her cheek was healed, but there
was still an ugly hole there, so on Satur-
day he sowed up the hole. | could not
stay to see it done, but on Sunday went
to see her. and found her lying there
patient and gentle, with her face all tied
up, but the dear little arms reached out,
and the eyes glistened showing that she
was not suffering much. Another time
/ will tell you how she is gettir g on );
because after the Doctor thinks it safe to
take out the stitches we hope she may
have well cheek, and even If there is a
scar she can use her mouth and teeth
like other children. And but for yous
dear children, this little girl might have
fingered on few years, suffering agony
and wasting away under her terrible
disease until her heavenly Father re
leased her of her sufferings. Now we
trust that He who put it into your hearts
to provide the means for her relief, will
take care of you and of her. making you
happier and better for your loving care
of her, and exciting in her desire to
praise Him with the lips that seem sane
titled to be used for His glory. For fear
of wearying the kind Eiitor's patience,
am afraid to write more now, but if you
want to hear again from little Jennie,
you must write to Mrs Halves and tell
her SO. And do not forget in your hap
Ply house at Christmas, that He whose
birth you are celebrating went about
doing good, and loved little children and
sick people above all others, and we
maatSt believe He especially loved sick
child. God blees you all and keep you
well. Send your contributions as usual
to Mrs S. H. Halves, 422 E. Franklin
Street, Richmond, Va. M. S S.