The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-25

1t won't be hard to find the place be-
fore Thanksgiving day, just few
blocks from the East Lake or Tide
water car lines, a nice little spin in
your automobile, to the Old Ladies'
Home.
When my friend and l found it yes
terday on South Fifty-fifth street we
discovered not only a house, but a home
full of kindness. and dear old ladies'
Twelve gentleWcmen to be exact, not
quite so young as they used to be. who
are as busy as their strength will allow
and very happy together, lat home"
most any day.
Happy? Why of course we are"
chimed a chorus of voices "for the
world is so kind" explained Grand
mother Vincent, the loyal. Now this
particular grandmother was the first
gentle lady who used to be young, that
ever crossed the threshold of the Oc-
tavia White Home for Aged Women.
Since that day in December, ten years
ago. she has been there to keep house
and to make home for others who
might need "a wee shelter from the
cauld blast" Because, you know, in
spite of Grandmother vincents faith,
the world is in such a mad twenty-four
hours whirl, sometimes it might forget
those who must needs plod more slowly
REMEMBER TO BE KIND
Yet grandmother5s wisdom is right.
There are always those who remember
10 be kind. One who has ever been so.
who a sever been thoughtful of the
forgotten. called a meeting once upon
a time in her home, of the Pettus Roden
chapter. Z. D. c., and presented plan
to the women of this organization for
a sadly needed home for aged women
of jefferson county. And the response
to this appeal of their president, Mrs.
Charles G. Brown, from the gracious
women of this chapter. was so immedi-
ate and hearty. that within a short
time the doors were opened in the same
rented home now occupied. To this
home, DR. Hincker directed the first
inmate who sought his assistance ten
years ago, because she needed the shell
tering protection of those who didn't
forget
Il think the ladies of Pettus-Roden
chapter must have named the home
for Mrs Frank C. White because she
never forgets us. and because we love
her, Just like we love Mrs. Brown, who
is our mother.
Except" admonished one little
grandmother slyly, ''you mustn't let Mrs.
Brown nor Mrs. White know what
young person called either of them
mother" 1 crossed my heart and
vowed I'd never breathe her name to
them Although candidly, / don't think
this little grandmother ever had fear
of either of these two, from whose
thoughtful kindness it is impossible
to separate the lonely.
SPIRIT OF THE BOARD
This same spirit in the board of con-
troll for the home of which Mrs. Charles
Brown is president, and in the Pettus-
Roden chapter, has enabled these
women to hold fast to the Old Ladies
Home they had established. even when
the financial handicap made it neces-
sary for the city and county to with
draw the appropriation that was made
for its maintepance. Undaunted they
have solicited funds from friends of
i,the institution.
sand now. even the little children
IN the schools remember u.s." said
Grandmother Vincent
yes" encouraged Mrs Brown, Don't
you remember, grandma when one
child wrote note to DIR. Phillips ask
ing that Thanksgiving contributions
from the school be sent to you here.
The Woodlawn school, too, you remem-
Der. always sends a special contribu-
! ton of fruits. And every year" added
Mrs. Brown, CDR. Phillips has sent our
board a check from the schools.
"The churches. too, have been very
| considerate" continued Mrs. Brown.
s'When we were organized, the plan
was Endorsed by all the ministers of
| the city Since then, some have made
special financial contributions. while
others have sent Thanksgiving or
Christmas offerings.
| "And vet" she confessed wistfully,
( II have often thought how wonderfully
\ it would help this work If the contri-
buttons from every one of the churches
on Mothers Day were given to the Old
Ladies' Home"
REMEMBER ON MOTHERS DAY
| We'll remember that as sure as
Mothers Day dawns.' was the prom
| Use of friend sitting near. "a col
lection on Mothers Day for mothers.
who are homeless except for this home.
! But then, everybody is thankful for
mothers. so why not send thank Of
| fering too. on Thanksgiving day
ooh, we are sure our old ladies won't
be forgotten them Mrs. Brown re-
| sponded
Have you ever thought. too she
said what it would mean to the nome
if every literary club in the city would
contribute just one dollar month to-
! ward the maintenance here?
.Send it on Thanksgiving day, too.
interrupted friend. "just make 1t an
! annual thank Offering
i "Of course the literary clubs nave
already helped u.s." Mrs. Brown assured
| but it would aid the home so much II
this could be made a unanimous gift
| that we might look forward to, and de-
pend upon. Because she regretted
1--WE need larger quarters so much. to
accommodate the many who must be
left out for lack of room. Why just
think of the letters that come to us
every week and the waiting list of p
or 80 applicants always before us"
ALL BUSILY ENGAGED
Ny friend and I did think of those
| who were left out, when we peepeo
into twelve coy bedrooms and passed
the time O. day with their INN ates who
were busy tatting and chatting, some
of them reading magazines and en-
broidering. In one room Miss Pol
Parrot was the only occupant. listenins
for the footsteps of her mistress. ant
the MONDAY cracker, before she coult
be induced to own that she was ;
pretty Polly
my bird is the pet of the household.
praised the mistress, when she ap
peared with the bride of cracker.
especially the lady next door is he