Evening star., 1898-08-31
DOING A GREAT WORK
Ladies Of Washington Minister to
the Suffering Soldiers.
IUNCHE0NS AND BELICACIES SERVED
Sick and Disabled Are GIaddened
by Attentions.
THE WORKERS NEED HELP

Few people in Washington understand or
appreciate the great good handful of
charitable ladies are doing for the comfort
and health Of the returning soldier boys.
1t is a work that should commend itself
to every one, and bring to the already ce-
pleted treasury of the workers substantial
aid.
Potomac Hall, at the corner Of Maryland
avenue and 11th street southwest is daily
the scene of practical charity. 1t is here
the Pension Office Ladies' Relief Associa-
tion aided by several ladies from South
Washington, dispense to the tired and sick
soldiers their sympathy and wholesome
food: and all this with no other considera-
ton than that which comes from a con-
sciousness of well-doing. Yes there is
something else. The murmured God bless
YOU Of every one Of the wearers of the
blue is compensation beyond the realm of
earthly dream. r~rs- s..-st.
1t has been over a month now since the
good work began, and its conception came
naturally, prompted, as one of the ladies'
said. by Cod When word was received
about a month ago that detachment of
the Rough Riders would pass through the
city, Mrs L. A. Chamberlin Of 1851 10Th
street determined 10 give her son and his
company a little luncheon on their way
through. So. with her daughter, she hur-
ried to South Washington and bought up
all the bread and buns and milk in the
neighborhoed. While engaged in this work
she met Mrs. s. A. Cornwall who noticed
the ladies sitting on the steps of Rylard
Chapel.
The Train Was Delayed.
There had been disappointment. The
train with the Rough Riders was delayed
and would not pass through that night.
Mrs Cornwall volunteered to take charge
of the provisions and hold herself in readi
ness to assist the ladies whenever the train
came in The Rough Riders came, and 400
of them were served with lunch, but Mrs.
Chamberlin'S son was not among them he
was to come on the next tram. so 1t was
determined to give his company treat
also, and the ladies hurried their prepara-
tions. The careworn soldiers came at
length, and when they went away they
were filled with food and gratitude. 1t was
the experience of this luncheon that gave
birth to the idea of helping the soldiers DIS
they passed through.
The Ladies' Relief Association of the Pen
sion Office was interested and willingly took
UP the good work. Now every train that
comes to Washington, with soldiers is stop
ped at Maryland avenue and 11th street
and the wornout boyss in blue are invited
to lunch. When aasilospital train comes
along the ladies visitsthe train bearing del
icacies, and, with the same care they would
bestow upon their own kindred, wipe the
| iCNSicd bio" aiu fsntaiSP@A SoiiiS "oio VI
cheer. I"
1t has not been long since the committee
when visiting hospital train, discovered
the entire milk SUPPLY spoilt. Without a
tied and fresh milk substituted. physi-
clan at small town in New Hampshire
learning of this from one of his patients
who was on the train has written to a
doctor in this city that the incident was
no doubt responsible for saving the lives of
number of soldiers on the train.
But this is but a single example Of the
work the ladies are doing. Not a day goes by
but some word is re6elsed from a grateful
soldier who was helped, on his way from
starvation at the fronf to his home. One
wrote lately: -s,a- 54. sfs.
ut was the first touch of kindness we
had received since going to the front. and
1 shall never forget the tenderness and
loving care of the good ladies in Washing
tom
- Methods Employed. 80
1t matters little to the ladies what time
the train comes in. They are ready at all
times to respond. and it has been the GUS
tom rather than the exception for trains
to arrive in the early hours of the morn
ing. Arrangements are complete for noti-
flying those in charge when a train is ex-
pected, and the railroad officials have ex-
tended every facility for the ladies to as
sist the soldiers Often the departure of
trains is prolonged to give the troops an
opportunity of having lunch.
reporter of The Star was present when
train of soldiers came in. 1t stopped just
in front of the hall (Potomac HaH), and
the delegation which had been sent to re-
ceive it had every one acquainted with the
fact that good, wholesome lunch was be-
ing served for the soldiers. 1t was some
thing new for the boys in blue to receive
such consideration. There had been a
rough experience with nothing in the
shape of kindness to help them On their
journey home. They did not understand
at first, but when they saw the kind faces
Of the ladies and the long tables, with the
clean linen and white cups, and smelled
the homemade coffee, they fairly beamed
why, boys, this is the real thing one
of them exclaimed, who was the first to be
served with coffee.
They reached for the sandwiches and the
fruit, drank the sweet, pure milk, and then
with much emotion thanked the ladies for
their kindness.
The hall accommodates $50 at time, and
1t usually requires fifteen minutes for the
recipients of the bounty to get all they
want There is a corps of little boys al
ways on hand who gratuitousiy serve as
walters.
There is soldier, or rather an ex- SOL
dier. for he was discharged for some trifing
offense, who has been of untold assistance
to the ladies' His name is Charles A.
Sr1If nd hn h., lN-..t hnr xrrlxS