Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-13
SICK WOMAN LIVES
ONLY FOR CHILDREN
Cheer is Found in Little Three
Room Cottage, Where Even
Landlord Helps Out.
CHARITIES HELPING POOR
By A. r. GROH.

With Mrs. George w. Doane o
the Associated Charities | went yes
terday to deliver some supplies to q
poor family.
Before we had knocked at the d.
lapidated three-room cottage, the
door was opened and we were wei.
coined by an S-year-old boy and 49,
year-old girl, poorly dressed but won
derfully bright and charming. We
entered with our bundles and baskets
Seated in the front room in rock
ing chair was the widowed mother OF
the two, very sick with consumption
brought on by hard work since her
husband died year ago. Very thin
she was, with flushed face and the
tendons OF her neck stood out. But
she smiled brave welcome. She
wore dressing gown and her swollen
feet rested on another chair.
She took Mrs. Doane's hand in both
OF hers. "Oh, | am so glad you have
come" she said. She could talk
only in gasps. Now don't exert
yourself to talk, DEAR" said Mrs.
Doane cheerily.
We opened the packages. Two OF
them contained brand new blankets.
Just What She Needed.
"Oh, those are just what we need
ed" said the mother, and broke down
and sobbed with thankfulness. II
needed one on my cot at night and
the children can use the others these
cold nights ] sleep we'll am
thankful for that
Meantime the children were gloat-
ing over when Mollie Was Six"
"A Little Union Scout, Adventures
OF Brownie and the half dozen
other books.
Such charming and pretty children
they are. They go to school and are
among the brightest in their classes.
The little girl didn't tarry long, but
went out in the little dark kitchen,
where we heard her washing dishes.
She came in to get the basket of
canned goods.
The boy went out in the bedroom
and soon appeared in an old pair OF
trousers held up by suspenders.
Lad Chops Wood.
"I'm going to chop WOOD he an
nounced.
"Yes, he chops all our wood" said
his mother, looking at him, proudly. |
People are good to u.s." she con-
tinued. "A man comes up and burns
sulphur in the house every few days,
while ! go next door. And the land
lord made this little sofa for Pearl"
A beautiful little piece Of furniture
Il Is, about three feet long. The little
girl came in from her work to take
her rag doll off and show us the sofa.
Many hours OF work had been spent
on it.
"And he made me . sled, too"
cried the boy.
Oh, kindly landlord! You arc an
ornament to your class and you shall
have your reward.
Il went to Sunday school, but
Pearl didn't; she had to do her house,
work, and we're going to have an en-
.ertainment Christmas" said the boy.
His mother asked him to recite his
piece" and he recitcd Little Or
,hant Annie" by James Whitcomb
Riley, wonderfully touching in those
surroundings.
Then he went ont to chop wood,
while his sister washed her dishes.
Mrs. Doane sat beside the sick
woman, who held her hand and
iobbed moment. Then she bright
.ned up. "Oh. love YOU" she said.
You are so good to me-"
Thank the People.
"You mustn't thank me, dear, but
he people who give me these things
o bring TO you, said Mrs. Doane.
The sight Of that brave, sick
woman, cheerful in the midst OF mis-
ortunes almost uncomfortable, living ,
,nly for her children will not soon
ade from my memory.
And this is only one of many de-
'erving cases." said Mrs. Doane as
We left.
hope the young society matron ,
Who saw the description Of this case
n The Bee and brought the three {
louble blankets, the books, the dozen
ans Of edibles and check for 81 to !;
'ay months rent will read this ac-
cunt and know the sunshine she has
iprea in that home. II