Document text
ALS JtaliJiiINS DT
Written by: Mrs. And Radford
Au6usta
gdited byf
Mrs. Leila d. harris
i.iuperviaingitor
Geordie v:riterst
Project
area 7
DeoeLlber
'44sen,or
Aichmonn Gouty home
Decemnar 4,
A. R•
Some years 460 our Sunday :.cool class disoovered the
"Sunsnine Lady" or tne Richmond County home. One Sunday
afternoon the little prityer band went out to the institution
to hold services with the shut-ins. When ie arrived, we told
the superintendent that we had herd or aer and asked if she
was still there.
"Yes, she is here." he r. lied. "out I know that you tarls
belong to a Protestant church. Jhe is a Catho.ie and the Priest
comes out to see aer once a week."
This dampened our spirits to some extent, but we uecided to
visit her even il she did not want to take part in tne services.
The superintendent directed us to a two-story clapboerd structure
with iron -barred windows, that resambled a prison. I.ter we
leurned taut tae partly insane And the feeble-ainued patients were
housed there.
A very old luuy with uer neah bound in 4 dlotn ans dried our
knock it the door.
"kay ie see Miss /wary," I asked with many misoiivings.
"Yes, sne's in the Le404 room." she replied with 4 ulanx look.
We walked throu6a t e diriy lic;nted null about seven lect wide
where severAl inwates were sitting around a iarto ueater. When
they saw us coming they. 3cuttled aisy into the adsioininti; rooms
like rats seeking Jikeiter.
sn we reached ki s Mary's room she w4a reclining in her
rolling chair close by the window. Disease had cruelly deformed
her hands. In one of taem she deli the Junday paper. The otner
rasped a 16 -inch forked reed, wit,4 whicth iAe turned t e ~DO.
Jensing our presenee she looked up with :.tie friendliest blue eyes
1 :lave ever seen. Aer cordial 6reeting dispelled ali of our
fears QUO, 45 %a informed iter 01: .014r WialbliOU she said softly:
"I'm so ,;lau you uJame. Indeed! I do %ant you to dold
services. Jonniel" she alied, us a rutder stout black-
heired W4,4401 came in to replenish the fire, "Call the others
Jut° my room. These young ladies nave oome to sing ,And pray %ith
us."
Upon hearing hex voice, several of tna -inmates ventured
out and joined us. When tde services were over, we all felt
that it had Oeen good to be there. iLs we bade aer goodiroye sslie
aaiu eincerely:
"come back soon. I am 4 member of the Catholic ;;nurch out
I am deeply interested in ail denominations."
During the yeers siroe tnat day we have Kept in close touch
Rita kiss Mary. I:3 we et,ve oe to kcm ear oetter, her undying
faith in Aar i...'iende and uer Lied claire peen a oonetaat ihapiration.
Today when i called to ask for utr lire distory the sea.
cheery smile 1:reeted e.
"OA: I'm 30 !,.lad to see you. Come riht in and give an
account of yourself. I auven't seen you since Saster."
"I have thougnt or you u aeal, miss kary." I ex-
plained. "Altdough Aany thins have JcekJ. we away."
-3.
*I understand, and now tbat you are here tell me about yourself.
Jennie, out off tne radio, we want to talk.*
Ile, Miss Mary,* I said quiokly, *I *ant you Ze talk and tell
me the story of your lire. I know it will oe interesting.*
'Row mould I tell anytning that would be of interest ta anyone.
I have spent the past Z7 years in a rolling °hair. Mosov•r, I
will be glad to tel./ you at I
She onuokled and went on: °I an like the woman who moved off
the big read who said, 'I don't know suithin'S'
*The old couple MOVOtit biliOL in tne woods orV the big road
and ma Sunday they went to a caureh close by. The sermon was on
the Crucifixion or Garist. Tne old 'WW1 said:
'Thar now they done killed Wirist and we didn't knee nothins
about it.'
*A few weeks 1 ter tney attended cnuron again an the sermon
this tine was on line Resurrection. The old woman said to nor husband:
"Mat settles it John, we are movin' oack up on the big road
where we will know *unpin', for now Carist hut; 64011 bask and we never
got to see aim! I tells you I'm movin' b./0k, l'a not stayin' here.'"
Ulancing up at two cloak Miss Mary said hurriedly:
*Sums* me please and tell Jeanie it is time to make coffee.
I keep a pot and 4J244 coffee in my room and have Jennie make it
on the neater tar Mrs. Lyons and Lae others, who would not eat their
lunch it they didn't have a cup or flt coffee. They only serve
coffee night and morning frost the kitchen.
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'I tiotel believe I told you 4.ntnit Jennie. .1110 *au iu Milledge-
ville at tue State Sanitarium out because they were so crowded they
sent her,nere. Stie is ‘,.'.rfectly harmless uiiesc one orosses her.
nave taken ger under my care aua she helps mc in a great 'twiny ways.
I try to keep ner busy and in this way keep Ler out Or trouble. If
sae does ,,st mad witt anybody, th* superintsrdent litaS to lock gar up
for several lays."
°She must be ,:iuite i roblem," I commented.
not she said :tiickly, "1 am kind to her and divi.e what i
have with her. Jill, tia sufficient centality to ra4lize that I an her
friabd and I gat Along well rith her. My frianda marvel that I am
not afrcild or her, tor sae has stood over me wany ttles rith a iSticlit
an tareatened me, but I'm not afraid. Usually, ens aOOD realizes
whAt 3he is 4oing and be ms not to toil the suiAarifiGendent."
At 4hia ooint tne *ogre convict roman bon bringing in the
trays with tile noon meal for the inmates, who wore not payaically
able to to tae kitchen or were in4itnit and not ;permitted there.
The convict V3Uall broiaL,ht tha cups to kiss Mary's roam anC, Ailed
them with the stearain coffee. iter tray was placed on ;he tailipu-rld
attar everybody had been served, on* ot tile women placed it on her
breast for she can b4rely raise her head and her body is only el.-
vsteb slightly. Jtia managed to feed herself in an amazingly usrt
manner for one in such an 4,dpi:raptly aelplese conuition. The tray
W43 arrdnged Attractively and vs amortise with an 04110rOidary
toodilopod clth, which *O.A her awn nimuiwork. 6hen sue lattd finisned
she called softly;
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"Mamma take the Lray sow. de sure to put tua oread in the cox
on the dresser and tag scraps in my oat boa." Looking up at ms ohs
explained; "I always keep enou„2A to teed tom, my oat. One day last
-week i was lootii.6- out ol tne window and aaw a cat, that had apparent-
ly been struck Gar and wa oadly orippled. I JaaQ it oroutdAlt in
to me and led it until it mas well."
"Wilat ;.re you saving L44, orea4 forgg asice.4 curiously.
"Ohl the oread, tnat is for my Oirds. ivery morning tney
gutlier in tae yard Ulluer my witaow and chirp to let me know they
are tuere. Then I Gall Jennie to reed them. Taey are really my
friends, for *nen I plant my flower garden tney °atoll the worms that
would destroy the flowers before they could bloom."
"Do you ifisan you have a flower garden?" I Kskea in. amazed-
Melit•
"Oh yes:" sill replied with a smile. "The superintendent is
very kind. he aiways has a W*I) to prepare the ground in the spring,
my friends furnish the plants and seede, and I direct from ay winuow.
There is Always stakeouts kind enough to eater the flowers lor.m0
and I enjoy *atoning them grow and oloom, SO much. uast spring
my sweet peas were very pretty. had you VJW. to sea me you Gould
have had all you Gould pick. or three Junuays I sent enough tor
the altar in my caurill, and one day A furnished b7 dozen to deoorate
the parsonage for a wedding. I had a few roses, Out I'm not so
successful with tame, oecause I don't nave anyoody to spray tiles
for me. My chrysanthemums were also very beautiful.
"Our superintendent's on died 4 short time age." Miss Mary
continued. "he WILS SiO4 far a lon,;, time Alia I ent him a bouquet
every °trier day duriu4; his entire illness. Iused the Last or the
chrysaatnemuns'Ior the funeral of Mr. Bishop, one or the inmates,
who was killed by un automooile -last week. ha was coal' and partial-
ly olind.
"Jennie, nand me my work. I want to linish tae applique on tais
scarf for Miss Grace. alas wants it for a Cnristmas present.
"You won't aind?" she questioned. "Toll see my eyes -;ive ao
trouble and 1 can't work last. I'll work and talk at the same
time."
When an' had ;otten comfortable she asked: "Now, where do we
es la?"
and
"Start as i r back as you can/tell as everything." 1 answered.
"Ay Lather, Jean Mamas Lindsey," she began. 941(43 a native of
England. he was corn near Liverpool and OAMe to aserica when he was
IO years old. His older brother, Michael, wus tae first or tide family
to come over and as soon as he had accumulated enouz,n money be
returned to angland and broueiat ay grundmotaer, my aunt Harriet,
and my fattier to Co wita Ala.
"he, my lather, completed his education attar he case to tae
United ‘itates aad W43 4 professor in Lae Leesville Co,iege (South
Carolina) when he uied. My mother, irances :aairley wilLs born in
Leesville but her parents wore native Germans. 1. was only 20
months 014 *non my f. Wier died and my mother moved to Columbia
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to liv. with ay unale Michael.
Two years later my mother married again and my unale askod
to be alloyed to keep me with him. Sks conaented readily and
that was the only home I have ever kaowa.
*Oh yea, I saw my mother elms a week but so* 143 very busy
with her new (amily. There were twalVe in all. I still have
four half brothers and two halt sisters liviag in douth Carolina.
also have one sister living in Augusta. he ease out to see
me one day las) week.
*My %Mallets began early in life." Miss Mary coatinuod. *For
when I was only ten years old I was stricken with anchylosis,
and for six months I was unable to walk or otherwise help myself.
The whale family was 143 eager and williag to to for as that my
recovery was somewhat retarded. It required effort on my part
to get well, but I did improve slowly.
"I was in the fifth grade at St. Peter's %Whoa' is Oolumbia
when I took sick eked the fallowing Septomber I returned to sehool
and agaia took up my 5th grade work and was promoted to the 6th
grade 4t Christmas.
"My heaith resat -hod good and I was graduatod from Alga Sahoal
at the 40 at 16.
*All during that time toe dimwits* remained dormaat ant only
occasionally after running or walkias fast would I fool the alloht-
oat ,Aiscomfort. I never had a psis after I was 17 or IS years old
and I thought I was entirely cured."
Miss Mary continued thoughtfully; "There was no reason now
why I snouldn't be happy and when ny nusband asks4 Mer to marry
him I consented gladly. RISE 1 found was to °scone a mother I
Wits overjoyed. My baby girl came on January 6, lio9b out she
only live* 8 weeks. The next year my boy was born and lived
4 hours, an in 1898 I gave oirth to a still -born child.
My old trouble an to worry ma again after my first child
was bora and for three years I used crutches. y husOand sent
mg to Het Springs, Arkansas. I went away walking with crutohes
and was brouent Oaok an a stretcher. the doctors pronounced my
case hopeless. I next went to a specialist in Philadelphia was
gave ms electrical treatments. Tills only made me sore and more
painful so we boudht a rolling chair and in it I have spent my
days since that time.
"Yes, I do to oteU t ni ht. Two of these girls turn m7 chair
around by tne side of the bed alto* roll me Oh it. My husband spent
lot of money trying to cure as, in feat all that fie had. I now
began to be resigned to my fate and to try to plan some way to nelp
him as we had lour Gni:Wren to raise Enu 04.1613:4t0.11
I inquired wIta gre4t surprise: "Ghildrea7"
wroth, she answered mmiliugly. "You see, I married a widower
with jour children. The oldest was thres years and2 aantha and the
youndest were twins of 14 months. The obildrea's grandmother liveu
with us and took care of them.
"kbout this time I hau comvleted my plans to increase oullt in'.
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(some. I reutod a house with tmenty-ains rooms, 4A61 every bit
of it that was not required for the family, I furnishea for
boarders. With the help ot te foremen of therailroad'shops,
who recommehded my place to his men, I soon had about twenty
regular boarders arid about thirty -rive or forty who took their
meals with as. Thls friend As collected the mousy from the men
and I haver lost a penny.
"I knew you would ask how I managed," she said with amuse
meat. "Well. I bad too gooct dooks aud housemaids. I planned
the meals for eaoh day, giving the order to a clerk woo dame
to the house each morning. I aid all or the buyikg and paid
all or tile bill*.
"My stepchildren were very little trouble. William, the
oldest boy, graauated from Clemson College. Charles, one of the
twins, was in kia lust year at Clemson when 1141 was killed while
working with a bridge gang during his vacation. The two girls
married while they sere still in digh Sehoel.
"1 operated tie boarding house for lb years but, ekes' the
children's grandmother died I ha to close it. The children were
all married and my husband awl I decided to live for a while
Just for ourselves. We rented a small cottage next door to the
big place and were so happy. My husband had been working for
the shad Building Supply Company for twenty-eight years, eleven
of whisk he had served as I -foreman of the shop. I kept tee
servants and although I was oenrined to my chair and was
scarcely ever ever free from pain, I was contented and happy."
Miss Mary seemed to os anjoyiag greatly thee* raminiscances
of happier days. She went on taougittfulIy: "Wanting something
te 000npy my mind (Writs the daytime, I joined this feasvolent
Society of our Churek, an bean to plan ways in wnich 1 could
kelp. At that tiae I could sit up DI my chair mud bad fairly
good use or my hands. I eought an electric motor fer my machine
and took La plain sewing. I made ciuite a bit of money mid was
truly happy for then I was able to kelp thos less fortunat* than I,
ospocially little chilursa. A was amply rewarded when I could
bring a sails to a little Faso. At Christmas and at Thanksgiving
I always arranged dozon or more baskets for the poor."
"And you did all tuts yourself Miss Mary?" I asked is
amazement.
wrips I out and did the sewing and direct* all or the work.
Of course, j had to have somearecalways at haad for 1 coultnit
walk even with a crutch, as my legs were stiff. I know that God
was using me for his work, becaus* I had prayed as hard that if
it could be in accordance ei a will, to rests:* iv health.
I also prayed, however, that if I could serve him better in my
chair, to let no stay in my chair, soI know that it is Ala will.
"And than my greatest trouble came. In 1V09 my husband was
4
*tricks& with intestinal trouble and after/twoewftaks illness
he puwasd away. I was indeed ales* tnen for all oi tne family
had 121.1r0d away. My sistsr, wno lived in Audusta„ had been urging
me for some tine to come to AIM and let Dr. kit:del treat me.
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So to please her I said out and came to live with her. The
dootor broke all of my Joints and put them in plaster of parts.
When he finally removed the casts my area aud. legs were straight.
I told him that it WOU1Q never do, that he must rebreak and fix
then bask like they were. for I must have even the little use I
had of them restored if there was any possible way.
"The dooter was astounded azio couldn't underatand why I wanted
to undergo the skiony of having my joints broke* agail. But, you
see, I have owes able to work with tity. SWUM 444 3tiii OS of service.
I have sarned on an average of 4110 a year with my embroidery hoop
and needle. I furnish my rooms my bed linen. clothes, and pay
for my laundry.
*During the war I saved #1215." and now there was real pride
is her voice.
*OW I exclaimed. "So you nave a bank acooUnt."
'lot now," she answered. "I spent it long ago."
"Well,* I said with assuranee, "I'm oertain of one tains,
you didn't spend it on yourself."
"No," she replied smilingly, "hut it want for a good cause.
HowevIr„ I de nave enough to bury me. My grandmother deposited
#1150 in tine bank for my burial expenses more Ulan thirty years
ago. As xnew I couldn't get any insurance and the interest las
helped a little too.
"I *am* to the ham* twehty-eight years ago 1 at July. My
sister was good to me but I could see plainly that taking care
of as was killing her. Is were not ibis to hire a servaat and she
insisted ups* lifting me from the bed to the chair. I took mat-
ters in my own hands and had friends mako the nimossary arrange-
ments for me to be brought here. Sister was very muoh hurt whoa
I told her about it, but I know that she has cone to realise that
it was for the boot. Jhe loot her hams during toe dopression and
her husband hasn't had regular work for yoars."
"lava yen been happy hors, hiss Mary?" I skod.
*Well." she answered slowly. "I can't say I haven't boon
happy. ror a 1JAc tiao toey would roll me out on the pore* whoa
the weather was pretty and I aajoyod the SUASAISO se Roma. I
also liked to talk to the inmates. But ror the past 7 years I
have stayod in my roan and sat by the windOw looklag out on my
onion, and to this Heaven.. Prom whence oometh my help. 3ome day
all the knots, and bumps In my body will be straight and I will
walk agaih is the Olory of ed."
nom must have ihdimd boon lonoly during all tam yoars."
I told her. "A parson of your iatelligeaso to spend ovary day
surrouadot by insane and :sob's -minded pimple. MIMI you been hors
all the time?"
"Yes, I have boon right in this room for kb years. Perhaps
I would /save been lonely had l spent my time just being sorry for
myself. You see I have had a imadorful oppertaaity for serving
others."
"I know you have doom much to bri‘hten other lives." I said.
*Would you mind telling me soile or the tiaimig,* you've done?"
*I don't like to Laik about what I've done for others."
She said slowly. *Do you really want to know?'
"Yes." I replied. "Please tell me."
*Well* to begin with, all of the inmates in this building
are old, and they ire sick tor a good part of the time. When
one oi them is seriously ill I stay awake at night and see that
its medicine is gives on ti., measuring the doss myself to be
sure its right. When one dies I have an electrie owitoh en my
bed and I ring for the motroa. However, while this small service
has been its own reward there have been tires outstanding days
that were the nappiest of my entire life:
*One *ay stile I was out on the porch, news was brought to me
that one of the ASA sad died suddenly. I was talking to another
of tne inmates at the time and ne said quiekly; 'A good thinglgoo,
for he was too mean to live. As just curses all the time and is
awful to live around.'
'Don't say that.'" I told Aim. "I'm so sorry to know that
he died without a moment to repent. If ne had been 4 good nun it
wouldn't worry me.' Ti. small seed thus sewn fell on fertile
ground, ,or tue next day Sir. Pranklin oame back and seemed to be
worried. After a while he began to talk. 'Why are you upset and
worried over the haath or an unsaved man, especially one of that
class? And I also cunt to know what ebureh you belong to.'
told him I Was a Uatisolis and he exclaimed; 'A Zatholis
interested to other smooplet I Laver heard of such 4 thine
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Be then went away quietly without anotaor word.
6everal days passed before i saw his Again. After talking
for a few minutes he asked me if 1 aould seed the priest to see him,
which I did. In a very short time Ur. fraaklin's tmaltn begat' to fail
rapidly. One day ha came to see me and asked as to writs a letter for
him anti sloe to make out a (sneak ror Alecto sissy, waieh would take care
or his harial expenses. When I haa done these thisgs lor bin, I
asked his about his soul; 'Wive you made your pease with Oise?'
"Yes, Miss Mary,' Its answered softly.' Three months ago
joined the ohuroh and Pa all right. Lad 1 want to tell yam teat
it wasn't any primulas that did it. All of it was auit to %to life
you live and the example you set.'
"Anottmr ea my nappies% days was the time when a lewd roman
was sent out here from the *tasked*. She saw the priest come out
one morning to give as communion. She CAM* over a little later and
told as that she would like to have a preacher notice her. Later,
she confessed her sins, repeated, and was ready to go when she died
a short time afterward.
At another time there was a terribly wicked old couple out here.
One day the wife hau en awful light with her huseand, because he had
given a chew or tobacco to another woman. The superintendent aeard
about tee right had toid her that it must never happen again. She
accused as of tattling on aer and gave me a good cursing out, using
terrible laaguage.
w?or five long years I pleacted wita that woman, begging alter to
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*nano her ways and asking her to pray. Masa I would Mention
prayer she would rave and say all sorts of dreadful thiaga. Unit
day she said; 'My brains will be clabber when 'l believe in all
that rot.' But would you believe it, before she aid she am:opted
Christ and prayed daily. This was tile last or tale tree happiest
experisness of my life her. in the nose."
Disease 4as taken heavy toll tnrougn the years and today every
Joint in Miss Mary's body is stiff. Bar arms are beat at the sabows
and she has not been able to straightan tams for years. Bar fin6ers
are drawn and are gradually dwindling. 3he can only move one of
her hands at the wrist and it is impossible to bring Mem nearer than
6 inonos apart. She is also unable to touch her face. Despita thee*
handicaps sue continua& to work. By using a 7 -inch embroidery hoop
she makes pillowoases, tablecloths, ano soaras in drawn work, em-
broidery and appllque. Sas has she made soveral silk and velvet
quilts.
°There is juat one more qualities I would like to ask, kiss
Mary." I said. "Why &re you *limps Oneerita 411u never complaia
in spite of the pain you must bear?*
That, my friend, is for a seltisn reason. If I was a cons.
plat*Aft, faultfinding person with a tale or woe to tell everyone,
I would soon lose all of my friends and nobody would want to come.
about me. I would tnen be a very lonely person, for I love people
and not to have tnem come about me would be like closing the door
to Paradise."