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The Indian advocate. ([Sacred Heart, Okla.]) 1???-1910, March 01, 1910, Image 7

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Persistent link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/45043535/1910-03-01/ed-1/seq-7/

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THE INDIAN ADVOCATE
499;
"Is it you?" said Bessie, with an incredulous look. "Never
a prayer do you need. Taking care of all of us, and of the
like of me, from year's end to year's end. You'll go right up,
Sister," and she tried to motion with her twisted hand and
arm towards tho blue sky.
The nun laughed softly; then, straightening the covers and
giving a pressure to the hand that held the worn rosary, she
went on her round of duty.
Poor Bessie had indeed suffered and prayed for fifteen years
and offered it all for Charlie, her wild and only brother, who
had drifted from the Church and was some place in the wide
world Bessie knew not where but the marvellous faith of
the poor cripple was so vivid ihat every one was interested in
her, and her piety, patience and resignation made every one
love her.
She had a remarkably sweet face and a soft, winning voice
and the doctors and nurses who succeeded each other year
after year looked on her as a prodigy and did everything skill
and science could suggest, even though unavailing, to help
her condition. But she never murmured when they told her
after an unsuccessful operation or an agonizing examination
that nothing could be done. She only smiled and said: "I
don't mind; I'll suffer for poor Charlie."
Those fifteen years of torture were an apostolate for one
single soul. A daily sermon was preached from that hospital
cot, which was a silent but powerful incentive to many a dis
couraged heart to keep on and weary not. The Sisters felt
Bessie's good influence in the hospital, and because she was
incurable and without money or friends, they took tender care
of her, and sh'j loved them with all her soul.
One day the superior of the hospital came to me with a pa
per in her hand. "Fath.jr Alexander," she said, "I wonder
if this could be Bessie's brother? It is a Pittsburg paper that
has found its way somehow to St. Louis, and here is an account
of an accident case a man whose name is given as Charles
Horton He was taken to Southdde Hospital. The name
struck me Charles Horton. Would it be worth while to inquire?"

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