The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-02
ONE INCIDENT OF MANY.
From the Scranton Truth.

| From the Scranton Truth.
on pleasant afternoon. about twenty
| years ago, a modest Scranton gentleman
| who wished to direct public attention to
| the needs of the Lackawanna hospital,
| invited me to accompany him to that III
sttution l was city reporter at the time
| for one of the Scranton dailies, and as
| the proprietor was most generous with
| his columns for all charitable work, and
usually gave me carte blance in such mat
tiers, | cheerfully accepted the invitation.
In those days the demands on the hos
pital We're greater than its accommod1-
tions, and the benevolent in the commun-
ity were liberal in helping 1t with their
contributions. They also gave 1t a good
deal of their personal attention and were
most anxious to enlarge its usefulness
and make ii a helpful factor in the work
of alleviating the suffer!ngs of those who
were injured at their daily tasks in the
mines and mills. The press cheerfully
co-operated in the good work and 1t fell
| to my lot to make regular visits to the ir-
stitution and publish such information
concerning 1t as might be of interest 10
the public or practical help to the hos
pital.
| on the particular day ! speak of the
place was crowded and its limitations in
| every way were painfully apparent.
| Those in charge did the best they could.
but that was before the advent of trained
nurses and other advanced conditions.
The gentleman whom l accompanied vs-
tied every room and spoke words of en-
| couragement and of hope to the patients.
/ remember one room, in particular, that
we stopped in. 1t was small, narrow
place and contained n bed on which a
poor patient lay In great agony of body
and mind. The man had been badly in.
jured at his work, and his recovery, at
best would be slow. It was q matter of
several weeks, with the prospect of be-
ing compelled to leave the overcrowded
hospital as soon as he could be removed
with reasonable safety. This greatly dis
tressed the sufferer. He told us that
much as his personal injury panied him
he was more concerned in the condition
of his poor wife and little children dur
| ing the idle weeks ahead. His eyes filed
with tears as he spoke. He had always
been an Industrious, temperate, frugal
workman and his condition was touching.
My companion consoled him by saying
he world see he was well cared for at
| the hospital that he would not be re-
moved until he was entirely well, and
, that he could make his mind easy on that
| point. Then we turned to leave.
o.
AS we reached the door the gentleman
who accompanied me asked to be excused
| a moment, and went back to the bedside
, of the patient l had no thought Of what
| was going TO happen, and looked back
rather carelessly and without reflection
| Just then / saw the gentleman bending
| over the sufferer and slipping a large gold
piece into his hand saying as he did So,
NO, no: not a word of thanks but
1 fr..Y N1A IaI 4.
God bless you!' AS we descended the
stairs my companion said: II fear you
| saw what happened" 81 regret to say
| that I did," / replied: but I assure You
| that / had no intention of doing So
| But you will not say word about It.
| and especially you will not mention il in
| any notice you may make of our visit for
the paper" I assured him that l would
not. l was convinced that he would rath-
er do good by stealth" that otherwise,
| and my appreciation of his kindness was
all the greater on that account. 1t gave
me new sense of the gentle, consider
ate and sympathetic side OF the mans
| nature, and revealed n strong character
| istic OF his which / have frequently seen
illustrated since that time, and which
prefers to find expression in deeds rather
than words.
| Having Kept the secret for twenty years,
l now take the liberty of absolving myself
without the gentleman's permission, and
l shall print his name.
| 1t is William Connell.
| I willingly assume the consequences FOR
this publication believing that the publ,
have n right to know something of the
better natures of men who employ labor,
at a time like this, when SO many unscru-
pulous politicians and self-seekers are
working might and main to array capital
and labor against each other for political
effect. This Is the first time that WILL
lam Connell came before the public for
any considerable Office worthy of him,
and 1t is simply stating fact to assert
that he deserves well at the hands of this
community. where he has been such a
helpful factor for forty years.
/ AYn EDIIN CIT 1HISnl 40 ranr,r,