The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-04-11
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National HeadQuar-
terS---NOteS from the Departments.


cALrFORNTA VETERANS AND THE w.R.c.
Blrs. William BIcCleave. wife OF the Commandment
Of the Soldiers Home made beautiful report at
Jhe California Convention Of the distribution Of
presents provided by the Relief Corps Of Califor-
mia Twenty-Five Corps contributed boxes. aud the
ooBients were spread out tables in the library,
tho veterans marching IN headed by the First Ser
szeant Of each company. The names were called in
alphabetical order and gifts distributed We leave
Mrs McCleave to tell the story il her OWL charm
tng manner
The collection was indeed interesting 10 look at
There were chairs WTistlets, knives cushions, head
rests, backrests. towels. haucerclleis SOCKS, Wati
booklets plucUshGOus. shirts, drawers pants, vests
teOats ogercoats collars. neckties, combs brushes
tooklug asSes tEP hfch were DighlE pTsHeu neeate-
Eases Furnished night-sliiIts. chest protectors
sEamcs slippers smoking greatly sought loT
buttons. slsspcuders mulllcrs. books, rugs, Whsk-
brooms and holders clock, Dnnce-pies cans OF
houey. Jelly. oranges, lemons irultcake' supper
holders, numerous little fancy articles, quantity
at reading matter, cigars, and last, though by 80
means least, tobacco ana pipes, pipes auo topaeco
! draw special attention 20 tobacco and pipes ioT
this reason. that we received these articles IN great
quantities. ana can wen understood no" 'heS
tg0usd be sent. However. for the future guidance
81 the ladies, would say that our veterans have
ISSUED weekly 10 them As much Of these articles as
they
Jhe distribution gave great pleasure, and this feel
sng was manifested ia various ways, some accepting
with the anxiety and eagerness % children, others
Dade the scene pathetic by not caring 10 lake any
Ehing bat the most simple article, saying. " We
lake this oui Of compliment to the ladies who SO
Slucly thought OF u; IL Is not The glit we prize
but tie knowledge that we not forgotten.
Plant blessings and blessings viii bloom
Plant love, and love Will grow"
THE ladies Of the W.RC. have planted nothing
but love al the Veterans Home, aud Il Is growing.
There were several very touching things occurred
: shall only speak OF two little plncushion came,
marked Tor tie Oldest veteran at the Home lie Is
SO almost blind Otherwise hale and hearty. Is was
tlade by iitle girl 10 years old We took TO ms
Eoom told hiin as history, ana said u was MADE
Tor him. IL long time before he fully under
stood when he did the Tears streamed down hls
cheeks. he took nay hand held on 10 it. and said:
Tel me truly, did she make Il for me; did she
make il fox mcg' said % Yes well, well, how
good she II, he remarked. " Sod bless That lttie
girl. / wouldn't take thousand dollars Tor that
little pretty thing lie has il very near liis bed, and
smyoue who goes iuto has room ask ed 10 look at
it, and told ali about IT, The other case was the re-
ceptiOn evening Of very soft parcel, just roll
Ell up careiessy. We wondered what II could be,
and opening II we found little feather pillow,
worn. but with nice clean cover, and one led
handkerchief There was no name 10 tell whom
u came from but knew someone had sent i, not
out OF her abundance OF earthly things, but from a
heart oyerfiOwlug with love aud charity. HE
words spoken 10 one Of Ola by our Savior himself
naturally came 10 our minds, she hath done
what she could. and although don't know her
name. have no doubt her deed Is recorded ABOVE,
and that both here and there she viii receive her
reward. We took il right into the hospital. placed
II under the head OF patient who was very SICK.
lie SAID, =, Ii feels so good. He mas passed away,
but lie little feather pillow Is still there doing Its
good work.
a nae CHRISTMAS dinner was served, anc cell
caees distributed ia the hospital and in the even
ing ali assembled IN the library 10 sing the old war
songs and listen 20 appropriate Rotations. Con-
Guiding her report. Mrs. McCleave invites the
K.R.C. to visit The Home and to continue the good
work SO well begun.
AL good old soldiers land oars are all good love
the ladies' and nothing viii cneer them much as
Tour presence. Many heart there mOurns the
loss Of wife and children Were il for this they
would be la their own homes: therefore. while
remembering t4Ie creature comforts of Old sol
olers lei not forget the more important fact,
that 10 empty heart a kind word Is better than
Eifss viii close this brief report II the words of
that beautiful Little poem, entitled