The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19
MARVELLOUS GRATITUDE.
A Man and Woman Give Their own
Skin 90 Heal Strangers Wounds

A successful sldn-grafting operation IN
the Woman's homeopathic Hospital yes
terday brought TO light the heroism and
disinterested bravery of two people
pretty woman and a young man. who
submitted to a painful operation IN oruer
10 save the life OF a servant girl
Several weeks ago Annie thompson
seventeen years OF age, employed as
housemaid at 2O59 Norris street, was FEAR
fully burned about the legs and BODY.
She was Lighting the kitchen fire at the
tine and a gust Of wind drove the names
on 10 her dress. She was taken 10 TIE
Woman's homeopathic Hospital, where
her burns were az first pronounced fatal
She was also suffering from severe
shock. but on account Of her youth ana
robust constitution she managed TO pull
through. though lowering between life
and death for many days. Finally she
began 10 get slowly better; but the raw
flesh and rebuilding tissue healed slowly
so slowly, In fact, that the physicians
saw the only thing 20 prevent perpetual
Disagreement and sores was TO gran
healthy skin to the girls quivering limbs.
Where was the cuticle to come from?
Tho girl had no relatives or intimate
friends in the city. Who would submit
TO the heroic sacrifice? The answer came
soon. Shortly after o'clock Wednesday
afternoon a heavily-veiled woman called
at the hospital and was shown into the
presence Of the resident physician Il
have come" she said quietly. "becGuse l
heard young woman is lying here near
to death, and somebody was wanted TO
supply cuticle TO supply that which was
burned away. I am ready" The mys-
terious strangers offer was accepted. and
the operation set for II o'clock yester-
day morning.
Still another read victim 10 the operat-
ing knife came forward in the person OF
young man later on in the day After
some difficulty the physicians elected the
reasons of this sacrifice from both the
hero and the heroine of this modern deed
of chivalry There was a striking SINH
larity between the two stories. Mrs. +.
Crawford. for that was her name. though
nothing else concerning her could be
elected. said that a year ago her little
child had been severely burned and that
gallant stranger had undergone the
grating operation 10 help the little child.
For that reason purely she was willing
TO return sweet charity. though indi-
rectly The man. who for various rea-
sons refused his name told. with a break
| I'm his voice, how a year ago his sister
| was dying from burns when a friend al
| lowed fresh cuticle 10 be taken from her
arms 10 save her life. Neither knew the
! girl or had heard Of her until a few
| hours before but her condition went to
] their hearts. and zone touch of nature
| makes the whole world kin"
| At 1880 O'Clock yesterday morning An
ME was laid on the operating table and
| for twenty minutes pieces Of skin were
| taken from the forearms Of heroic Mrs.
! Crawford and her companion and placed
..1f rio toll
operation Vas very successful and Annie
| condition is much improved. About one
/ fourth of the burned portion Of her body
/ is now covered, and in a few days DR..
Walter Strong the operating surgeon.
hopes 10 complete the rest Throughout
the ordeal Mrs Crawford and the young
| man stood stoicaly silent. hut both
showed signs OF great exhaustion after
wards philadelphia Times.