Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-08-01
.THE HAPPIER SIDE
Not Always Is Sweet Charity
Hard and Cold, as Little
Woman Found.
BY FLORA DELL

-" N..E l. ~ V1SUA YELL, e
Anne Nicholas pinned faded blac.
shawl about her shoulders with finger,
that trembled slightly from weakness
and tied the old-fashioned bonnet with
strings that were no longer soft ana
fresh. but showed the stiff creasnpa
OF many tyings. 1t was IN elaborate
toilet that Anne made, for she waa
feeling very far from festive mood
indeed, black. rebellious thoughts had
been surging In her heart for days,
Up until month ago she had been
quite content with the meager incoma
she was, able to make. for it was suf.
ficient to, maintain her neat room and
all that was needed to keep life goins
TIC be sure, 1t would be nice to be abba
to take car occasionally and rida
past the city streets and rows of ugly
brick walls. especially now, when the
hot days were penetrating the dipgv
little court where she lived and calling
to the broad, open stretches of green.
where things grew. But when one IA
past sixty one has learned to do with.
out many things.
So thought Anne. as she counted out
the change needed for a few groceries,
But, oh, the shame. the modification
Of having to apply to charity for aid.
And If these pains that had been tor.
turing her the last few days should
get past the simple remedies, what
should she do? Back of her sixty-odd
years, however, and stern, narrow life
Anne carried a hopeful. elastic spirit,
and when she passed down the court
ON her way out she. paused long
enough at the corner to press bright
penny into the hand of the little
cripple who sat there trying to sell
a few papers. "a
A hopeless heart, however, does not
rise superior to physical distress un-
der all conditions, and Anne had not :
gone for when the pains took a sud.
den sharp dart In the region of her
heart. She wondered if she could get
to the dispensary-but no-she would
not appeal to charity. The word sound
ed hard and grim to her, significant Of
all that was repellent. She would turn
home. At this point pain, sharper
than the rest, seemed to grasp at her
heart, and she knew no more. -.
DO you feel easier now" and won't
you try to taste this broth for me-"
Anne looked into the sweet, brown
eyes bending over her without recog.
milton or understanding. The low
voice continued to plead, and as Anne
caught Whit of the steaming broth
she realized that some one was caring
for her-caring for her, who had
known no care for over forty years
She glanced around the room; 1t was
not large; there was another bed in 1t,
but it was unoccupied. And how
clean and white and beautiful every
thing looked. There must be garden
outside, for she could hear birds and
see the branches of trees, and the air +
seemed SO sweet and pure. ya
She tried to raise herself on ensst
arm, but she was put back with gentle
hand. Not YETI little woman, you
are not strong enough; but we will
have you up in atfew days. DR.. Anders
has your case In splendid shape and
he Is a good friend to you"
"Is this a hospital?" asked the
aroused woman, as, the true state OF
affairs dawned upon her-"a charity
hospital?"
1--WE call it the Zion Retreat" said
the little nurse softly, land we wei.
come all like you who need our help
During the next few days Anne had
the happiest time Of her life. Dainty
things were brought to coax her ap'
petite-things she had long been
stranger TO. Some one put huse
bunch of flowers by her bed while sne
slept; and one day little girl in an :
other room sent her some fruit. Inc
little girl had arrived the same DAY al !,
Anne and had inquired about her eV'
cry day. So many people seemed 70
be trying to help her get well anu
to make her happy.
She was thinking over these MIR I
acles when the big, jolly doctor VIM
had been attending her entered Inc
room. ,a
"And how is the little woman 70 1
day."
Anne looked at him with new llsnt3S
in her eyes. "Why, doctor, DeieSe I
/ am WE'LL" 49,
"You will be soon, but we 40 no'2
want you to go back to the OLD me-
because you will only have retu,.
of the old pains il you do. How Wou'u
you like to stay here always-'ooA
after the linen and be part OF out
happy family? You would be PEI
fectly independent. Wouldn't that "
Just a little nicer than living all aiole
And you would never have to "of'' Il
about anything again." -.
Anne did not reply, but the oo''o.
understood. She turned her race :.
the wall to hide sudden tears anu
thought. And her thought was, sure,
the greatest of these is charity'-Oul
falo Express. -. s$$
T. Ruling Protects Banks