Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19
IT'S REAL CHRISTMAS.
THE GENUINE ARTICLE ENJOYED
IN THE HOSPITALS.
WHAT THE SEASONS MEMRNTOES DO.
Patients Cured by Remembrance
from Frfends--How the Nurses En-
Joy the Day-Eyerybody Ihkes NJ
Ienst ri Part of the Day on.

1t is generally believed tnat the sp4i'
of Christmas is universal; that all classes
and conditions in Christian lands feel the
glad influence of the joyful season; put
one would not expect to find much fes-
tIvitv in institutions for the care of the
sick. One is very apt to form the luea
that perpetual gloom hangs over these
places. which not even the general Christ
mas spirit can dispel
Such ideas are wofully incorrect. Hos
pitfalls never become places or hilarious
| iollity: but Christmas-day is not by any
| means the same as other days. The is
mates are always reminded OF the season
whose gayety is esjoyed in more active
| manner by their more fortunate friends.
Flowers. candy, pictures, and daintes
TO tempt the tickle appetite are sent IN
| abundance, relieving the monotony oil lie
in the wards. and carrying real Christ
mas cheer to the bed-ridden receivers
Stories of what Christmas remembrance
have accomplished when sent 10 some Vi
the inmates of Richmond hospitals are
| oI,,,ost mira culous. and are recounted by
| +ha ladies who are interested In hospital
work as striking Instances OF the pesseu
effects of charity.
CURED BY A CHRISTMAs-GlFT.
lady in this city, who has Tor years
devoted great portion OF her tiile
r,inistering to the patients IN one Vi 1.,o
| hospitals can mention more t""h -,
instance in which persons whose conultlOl
Y,aa regarded as well-nigh hopeless nave
hegun 10 improve from the time christ
e,s. zoe received. and ultimately re-
She is very fond of telling how niue
how from Pittsylvania county sem ~
the hospital to have very severe op.i a.
| tion performed for some troupe aheS'Ii y, :
| .hn honA Of the leg was saved from ueatii
~, present sent him from home Inc
,ittlo fellow had come alone 10 the nos
nItaI his parents being too poor 10 20
wifh him. He submitted bravery 70 tne
oneration. which was very sever, 49,
he was of weak CONSTITUTION anu az.
attendants saw him gro" ,.a. A.
-, dav He himself knew ne was u
oi,n,nr and often spoke in his chiidlsh'
Tatbetic way Of the approach Oh ueatn'
"a oe how he would like to see nome
"a certain of his family and little fTlehus
before he died. ao,, befor,
~ "aS "a crew exceedingly despond
at and his nurse feared that llIs az
rroach 81 death had hastered. On Sh i,es
mas morning he lay In the same IL
condition. and when the goou 49, :,
who had constantly visited nm ~,
wno W.. rim Inv talking OF the dag, ID
,d.t,n faIIov turned his face TO inc "oil
n,S tho tears trickled down MS checna
Ia nhudish mind was throngcd VIZ
Ii'S Of other Christmases, Wneh ~
iio ,.ou ana strong with the people
home.
III WAS BUNNY THAT DID 1T.
Hut while his good visitor Was o., r,
~, irving to comfort him ant
VIZ ~, from HIS melancholy, nurs
aO+ored the ward, bearing bulky pach
ne Tbe child did not notice her whe'
s{eo came in. but when she said she ma
Chriatmas present from home ior INN
t,,,rad eoperly She set the pachas
~, tbo edge of the cot, and remover w
80. ninned around the SIDES. o'Nci"s'i
rough wire cage, OF undouoted nom
man,Ifacture, inside Of when "as y
little gray squirrel. Tied 10 the o -
the cage was bit OF roush pd''e'"
on which was scrawied' ,o,, Iact
'Dear Willie: Tommy senos you '.
% Won won't be lonesome. 10
DO sob that was half cry OF de
uaht willie grasped the cage cohtaii iinr ],
az ittie household pet, and they sEeh
sollv dav together. That aIternooh =
ss sitting up in bed playing WIN u
,,trral.s in three weeks he was ee,
49, and e to-day a sturdy iao, iooh
inc forward with eager ahticipN'''"
the delights Of Christmas. ,over
Numerous instances. in whicn Ieovt,
seems 10 have begun with the Iesepr 10
~ a Christmas present are related; an.
oersaps. the comparatively general kn NOV
ledge of them causes the custom OF S ssu
me remembrances to hospitals 70 De nep
, up Perhaps. nowhere else are gifts m 1oo
appreciated. or productive OF such s''
results. uo-e rNIny TT.
uospital attendants, who have a,,ny,
az few holidays as newspaper psOp =
Generally manage to enjoy Cnfis'ih a. 81 ~
ssvs at least a portion OF the gay s ~
1n ,hs institutions attached 70 'ns As ,
~ 40, Colleges the physicians are renev ~sn,c
e .ha duty OF meeting their CLASSES waas
gives Civ them spartiai holiday Inc nurse