The Washington times., 1923-05-03
BASEBALL IDOL
CHEERS SICK
CHILDREN
Babe Ruth Welcomed by Eager
Hands and CIoating Eyes on
Visit to Hospital.

Pale, wistful little faces, pleading
only for a chance to live "like
other kids" frightened in the sun.
lit wards of Children's Hospital as
Babe Ruth, champion batsman of
the baseball world and idol Of
American youth, bent over the
white cots. and took thin, eager
hands in strangely gentle grasp.
The big boys coming to the hos
pital yesterday caused more general
excitement than the visit of possibly
any other notable would have in
spired. Although many of the chill
dren have known no other home,
they're all baseball fans and the
name of the mighty slugger is
familiar to them.
Nurses, Too, Are Alert.
The pretty nurses likewise were
on the alert for the arrival of Babes
party, and many were gathered in
the offices thanking the main hall
when the visitors entered.
Miss Matte M. Gibson, superin-
tendent of the hospital, greeted the
friendly invaders, and conducted
them smilingiy to the bright eIeva.
tion. IN the rear of the administra-
ton building, where several Of the
less seriously i'll children were as.
sembled.
"Everything's at a standstill >
confessed Miss Gibson. THE chill.
dren have done nothing but talk
.. about Babe Ruth all morning, and
the nurses are just as bad. This
visit win do the little ones so much
good
Hello. Babe
Hello, Babe Ruth" called little
Evelyn Lynch, from wheeI.chair.
her pinched face aglow, as the
king or hitters approached.
Hello, sister," Babe laughed
and, leaning over the chair, pated
Evelyn's cheeks.
The next greeting came from Billy
Carr. It was:
'tGaa!!
just that. Billy is the baby
protege of Mrs Thomas r. Mar.
shall, who brought him, parentless,
to the hospital He showed his new
teeth in a cordial grin, and at
tempted vainly to shove his golden
head through the uprights OF his
| crib.
Right Back With "Gaa."
Babe and Billy made friends at
once. Babe went so far as to call
Billy a "bozo," and Billy retorted
with a mean "Gaa!' just to show
| Babe that he must keep his place.
By this time. tow-headed Wilbur
| Brandt, whom Miss Gibson calls the
''bolshevik" Of the hospital, was
calling Babe by name and running
his brand.new shoe shine. From
ten on, Wilbur showed a remark
able facility for getting under every
ones feet and generally impeding
the progress of the party.
A Patient Sufferer.
While this fun was in progress,
eight-year-old Louis Meade, his face
devoid of color and his eyes of
brightness, lay still on a high cot
and watched silently.
Miss Gibson introduced him. He
is suffering from a hip disease,
and can't run around like Cotton
head Brandt or even climb cribs,
Billy Carr's hobby. Louis is just
eight years old-the age when the
baseball fever is at its height in
youngsters, well or i'll.
you'll be all right soon. son."
Babe assured him. Louis made a
pitiful attempt to smile. He re-
manned silent.
And here's something to re-
member me by" said the great ball
player.
His One Thrill.
He held out an American League
standard baseball, inscribed with
his name. The thin fingers Of the
boy closed about the sphere. A
momentary flash of enthusiasm
cleaned in his blue eyes.
Jaw, gee, thanks" he said.
That's all right, Louis. I'll see
you out at the park some day."
Babe Ruth predicted.
The champs attention then was
attracted by the occupant of crib
removed from the others, and he
went over to it. A little colored
boy, not more than two years old,