Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-05-19
A LESSON OF CHARITY.
HOW IL Mas Impressed Upon An Irasel'
BILE officer.

Mr.. George Barton, of Philadelphia
is the author of recently-published
work entitled angels of the Battle
Field" 1t is history of the labors
of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the
CiVil strife from 1861 to 1865.
One of the finest anecdotes in this
volume, whose every page is touching
and ennobling, is lesson OF charity
that was impressed upon an army
officer holding an important COM
mand, but not noted for gentle traits.
To this irascible officer, stationed in
New Orleans at the time, applied u
humble Sister of Charity. The Off
Ger turned sternIy to an orderly, and
said that he had given orders to adj
NIT no one.
The sister, so runs this narrative,
raised "A pair of sad, dark eyes to his
face, and the gaze was so pure, so
sanity, so full of silent pleading, that
the rough old soldier was touched in
spite of himself. Around her fell the
heavy muffIing dress of her order,
which. however coarse and ungrace-
full. had something strangely solemn
and mournful about it. Her hands,
small and fair. were clasped almost
suppliantly. and half hidden in the
loose sleeves, as if afraid of their own
trembling beauty; hands that had
touched tcndcrly, lovingly, so many
death-damp foreheads; that had
soothed so much pain.
The request was for ice and beef at
commissary prices and it was asked
in the name of all human suffering
wherever found.
Yes, you can beg, I'll admit. What
do you do with all your beggings?
1t is always more, more! Never
enough"
With this the officer resumed writ
ing. The sister replied;
"What do we do with our beggings?
Oh. that is hard question to ask of
one whose way of life leads ever
among the poor, the sorrowing, the
unfortunate, the most wretched of
mankind, Not on me is it wasted. 1
stand here in my earthly all. What
do we do with it? All, some day you
may know"
The sister turned to go, but the
General relented.
"There, madam" he said, after
writing for a moment, lis your order
on the commissary for ice and beef
at army terms, good for three
months. I do it for the sake OF the
Union soldiers who are, or may be, in
your care. Don't come bothering me
again. Good morning"
In less than three weeks afterward
this officer was badly wounded in the
Red River campaign and was sent
back to New Orleans i'm an uncon-
scous condition. At length he was
nursed back to life, though hopelessly
mutilated. When reason returned he
opened his eyes and looked intently
at the sister near his bed. Then he
said: Did you get the ice and beef?"
The sister started, the question was
so direct and unexpected
yes" she replied, simply, but with
a kind glance of the soft, sad eyes,
that spoke eloquently her thanks
"And your name is -"
Sister Frances"
well, then, Sister Frances, 7 am
glad you got the things-glad | gave
you the order. | think | know now
what you do with your beggings.
comprehend something of your work,
your charity, your religion, and I
hope to be the better for the llnowl-
edge | owe you debt | can never
repay, but you will endeavor to be-
lievc that | am deeply grateful for all
your goodness and ceaseless care"
The sister made pious reply, with
drew and he saw her no more. Two
months afterwards she received n let
ter, sent to the care of the Mother
Superior, inclosing a check for $1,000.
At the same time the officer took
occasion to remark that he wished he
We're able to make II twice the
amount, since ne knew by experience
what they did with their beggings."