The National tribune., 1894-08-09
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS---NOtes from the Departments
OUR ARMY NURSES.
Type of Their Piety and Patriotism I'm Ag
and Adversity-Patriotic Teaching-En

Type of Their Piety and Patriotism In Age
and Acknowledgements Teaching-En
couraging Work Everywhere.
While several hundred Army Nurses have
been granted PENSIONS there are many who
| have been unable to prove their claims, and
| are bravely struggling TO maintain themselves
| though burdened by years and the hard storm;
| of adversely.
Their courage and patience under it all is
| very notable, of which Mrs. Phoebe w. Farmer
| is remarkable illustration. She was nurse
in the Department of the Gulf, and had pri-
vate claim pending when the Army Nurse bill
became law, but soon discovered that she
could not come under its provisions.
She and her daughter were refugees in New
Orleans and devoted all their time to the nurs-
ing and care of suffering soldiers. They were
not regularly enlisted, as no women nurses
were employed in the hospitals of the Gulf
and they had to take the soldiers under their
own roof in order to give them proper care.
And this was done without aid from the Gov
eminent or the Christian Commission.
Her only reward, as she expresses it, was
"the blessed knowledge that many poor SOL
diers were returned to their wives and parents
that but for the care received would now be
resting beneath the ooze and slime of the pot
ter's field"
Now, at the age of 80, this heroic woman is
padding her own canoe up rock-strewn river
full of impediments She lives alone with her
at,and keeps the little postoffice at Cureall,
Mo-, which pays between So and 81 month.
She furnishes room and fire free, and gives
seven days in the week of constant attendance.
Mrs. Farmer is tyne of the noble woman
patriots whose sad and solitary lot the W.R.C.
has done much and hopes to do more to cheer
and bless. The piety and patriotism of these
good women are well expressed in the follow
ing original lines from Mrs. Farmers pen.
SEVENTY.
Three score and tent The years to mortals given.
To number all their pleasures and their woes,
On which our acts, good. or bad, are craven,
The record all is writ this day the annals close.
And now the inner voice, in solemn tone.
Demands the summing up-the balance sheet
OF all the seed OF good or evil sown-
or the sure harvest which is now completei
To ali the blessings melted 10 thy lot,
Hast thou been blind. while beedful of the pain ?
Bewailed the evil and the good forgot?
Garnered the tares and left the golden grain2
Hast thou made smoother by thy labors wise
The rugged path that coming feet must tread?
Hast made the world seem brighter TO sad eyes?
Spread soft the pillow meath the aching headI
Hast thou been mindful of the golden rule?
To others given the measure self demands?
To the forced pupils in msfortune's school
Hast thou held forth the kindly, helping hands?
Hath charity been tenant OF thy breast
The poor the famished at thy table fed?
And DER the erring ones with grief oppressed
shielding mantle hast thou gently spread?
Hast pointed out the dark and trea ways,
And round the dangerous pitfalls built wall?
Is this world better for thy length of days?
Or better hadst thou never lived at all?
These stern questions, and how few we'll
Make true response, our lives are so inwrought
With warning passions--with the good and ill
So warped and biased by the lessons taught.
Self knowledge Is our Judge, conscience our guide
We view our acts NOT ~ our neighbors scan;
Hedged round by circVmstapce, by custom tied,
We ofttimes execute-as others plan,
How shall we tread with blinded human eyes
The path that wisdom whispers to 90?
Blame not who fails if honestly he tries,
For they do best no do tue best they know.
PATRIOTIC TEACHING.