Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-02-27
HEROLNEs IN OLD VIRGINIA.

For every brave deed preserved in song
and story there are hundred unhonored
and unsung. Noble acts did not pass with
the lance and armor Of the knight, and in
every age there have been those who gave
themselves for others. Our grandfather
cheered the brave Grace Darling, who in
her little boat rowed out from the Long.
stone Lighthouse and in wild gale single
handed rescued the nine men of the steamer
Foriarshire. Our fathers wept at the devo.
ton of Florence Nightingale, who faced
danger and death on the battlehelds OF the
Crimean War and gave her benediction 10
the hospitals in Constantinople. They rised
q fund Of $4,000 as Q gift TO her, with
which she founded q training school for
nurses.
Miss Clara Barton, who organized the Red
Gross Society In this country and has had
charge of the women who nursed our
wounded soldiers, has won world wide
fame. She has been given vast sums for ex.
penditure in relieving suffering and has been
honored by Presidents and Kings and Czars.
She wears decorations that field marshal
would not ssorn and stands on such ped.
estal that she even dares to rebuke Presi
dent when he refuses 70 serve on her board
OF advisers.
II lie well that the world recognizes such
deeds and gives them lordly honor. But,
perhaps the greatest deeds Of self sscrifice
and devotion are done with no thought of
honor or fame, 10 the shadows that the
searchlight of the world seldom Eliminates.
Down in old Virginia, In the country
where there are still such things as neigh
bors and sympathy Is not name, an Incl
dent has just occurred that makes the char
itY that is 30 highly Wanted, like sound
ing brass and tinkling cymbal"
A Northern man named Decker had re-
Gently settled near Welford's Wharf, In
Richmond county. His family were stran
gers in a strange land, settlers on the from
tier of acquaintance. Soon a terrible dis
ease invaded the new home, and Mr.. Deck
er was stricken with smallpox. He quickly
died and his widow was touched by the
contagion. There was no one 10 nurse the
victims In their lone home, inclosed in the
stone wall Of strict quarantine. DIR. Fish.
er, who had been called In as the attending
physician. told his family the story Of the
sad plight Of the Deckers.
II touched the hearts of his two daugh
ters. Knowing that they were taking their
lives in their hands, going into the very
teeth Of the most loathsome monster thai
disease has bred, they volunteered TO un.
dertake to nurse Mrs. Decker and her chill
dren. Quietly they went about their task
and day by day fought the malady until
they conquered. Only one of the Deckers
ded-a little child. There was not even a
man TO bury it. These brave young women
took up spade and shovel and helped theiI
father dig the grave. Their tears alone fell
on the desolate mound, and one Miss Fshel
as they stosd there opened her prayer book
aud, with the solemn service for the dead
commended the child's soul to the Father
in heaven who gave il.
The cloud OF danger has not yet passed
and these young women are still In danger
Of the disHguring, fatal malsdy Of which all
the world stands in dread.
There were no flying flags, no bands oil
inspiring music, no cheers OF comrades, nc
glory of victory, when they enlisted for this
war with disease. Has ever soldier faced
the cannon's mouth with nobler bravery |
These Virginians risked their lives, not fol
those OF their own blood, but for stranger.
from a section that some have tried for q
generation 10 set against them 1t was the
height OF altruism.
Tho Misses Fisher preserve the noble ira.
dtions of Southern womanhood. Worthy
descendants are they of those women who
for four stormy years Of war nursed the sick
comiorted the dying and in distress aud
hunger preserved In million homes the
flower OF loveliness. 1t was such IA they
that the men who followed Lee wore In
their hearts and for whom they faced dea b
with a smile.-BdltO Sun