Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-08-15
YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.

the way of being kind and gentle. In
these qualities nurses and patients We'd
10 outdo each other. But what seemed
oldest of all 10 Roxy was that nobody
called her "tomhoy any more, or good
for-nothiug."
In spite of the fact that everyone was
good to her. Roxy felt herself to be an
outsider Nurses and patients seemed
banded together in SiSttrhuod To help
each other. Roxy wanted tn help some
one. too. but she did not know how.
To outStrip all the girls and most Of
the boys nj running in the games in sum
mer, - lead her followers into the, deep
est snowdriftS and on To the thinneSt lee in
winter. and ~ SpaSmodic intervals to
make brilliant record nj School-thcSe
things were easy enough for Roxy, hut
She did not know how IL set about being
Kind. although her heart was full of an
overwhelming longing to "tlo something"
She did not care what--to ease the sur
terlug she saw on all sides of her she
told herself that when She WAS well again
she would learn to he II nurse, but thar
would he II long while yet, and in the
meantime what could II girl helpless her
self, do to help others:
One day a lady. beautifully dressed.
came To the hospital and sang to the pa
tionts. As her voice rose and frn in The
stiffness and Roxy saw peace steal into
tired faces. she said To herself: Il wish
could sing"
On the following Sunday I'm idcn came
II Roxy. Dared she do it? Would they
Scold her and bid her be still! 1t was
early afternoon, the time when the ward
was StllleSt-and nnelieSt. On that ,lay
the sitting heat made bed au almost I'M
hcarahlc place. aud those who could move
tossed about reStlesSly: hose who dared
not stir for fear of undoing the surgeon
work. lay still and bore the heat aS best
they could. But all oi the patients were
unusually fretful and impatient.
Suddenly upon the Sunday stiffness fell
the sound of the Rock of Ages" wills
tied softly and swectly. In moment
every pair of eyes was turned toward the
performer. but Roxy was lying with h"r
gaze sent ont of the window. aud though
she felt the eyes fixed upon her. She kept
unfalteringly on
No one told her to stop. Perhaps they
liked 1t. Presently she saw Il bird perch
on the bough nearest the window and
perk his head on one side ms if liz were
enjoying the music. She ceased whiS-
Ting Then later began Come Ne Dis
consulate" following II with Abide
With Me"
The hymns. as she whiStlcd them. did
not need words.
The silence continuing. Roxy venturrd
upon the old meIodous Flower Song
and Guun0d'S MELODY" which she had
picked up from hearing her aunt : next
door neIghhor practice them upon the
piano.
She closed her concert with Snntchcs of
Mendclssohn'S Spring Song" Roxy felt
that she could improve upon that She
did not know its name. but she had lis
tened one night under the window Of the
hotel paror and had heard il PLAYED 10y
one of the summer boardcrs The next
day IN the woods She bad practiced II
over and over, but never until now had
she been able 10 whistle il to her own
satisfaction. Her eyes now filled with
tears at the sweetness of IT,
Roxy aunt. laden with glass of cur.
rant Jelly and n long. instructive and rN-
tremely drg book. paused in the corridor
ana heard the concert A. she peerrd
mic the ward and saw The shining.
huNhed faces of its occupants. and down
AT liz" far end Roxy the music. the
eager. hr"ntllleSS attention of the listen.
"rs. the white face of the girl touched
her She laid the book ON the window
sill. She would get another for her to-
morrow. With thu jelly She went for
ward. RoXy's heart was singing for JOY
~ she looked around the ward at the
qui"ird lnrnlidS. some of whom. now the
music had ceased. TUNED their faces 10
the wall a. though to sleep.
"Ah." She mnrulured TO the nurse bend
ing over her. 1T Is nice To help folks.
They like it..
Her face was radiant For the first
time in her short life she had a~trd the
sweetness Of giving others pleasure
Young Peoples Weekly.