U.S. Christian Commission: An organization established in 1861 for the relief of Union soldiers; the Christian Commission provided food, Bibles, and free writing materials to the soldiers to encourage them in good moral behavior. #CivilWarVocab pic.twitter.com/HG7EEOCmKY— Civil War Trust (@civilwartrust) March 22, 2018
Spring Byington's Mrs. March character in 1933 "Little Women" worked at the U.S. Christian Commission Concord Division:
Mrs. March: So, you're going to Washington?
Old Man: Yes, ma'am. My son is sick in the hospital there.
Mrs. March: Oh, this will be an anxious Christmas for you. Let's try this [holds up over coat] Is it your only son?
Old Man: No, ma'am. I had four. Two are killed. One is a prisoner.
Mrs. March: You've done a great deal for your country.
Old Man: Oh, not a mite more than I ought. I'd go myself if I was any use. Thank you for the over coat.
Mrs. March: Wait a minute. I hope you find him better [gives the old man some money from her purse]
Old Man: Thank you ma'am. God bless you. Merry Christmas. [leaves]
Mrs. March: Merry Christmas!
Co-worker: Oh, Mrs. March! Will you sign this so I can get this off?
Mrs. Marchs teadies herself on table
Co-worker: What's the matter?
Mrs. March: When I see things like that poor old man it makes em ashamed to think how little I do.
Co-worker: But my dear, you're doing all you can here and your husband is there
Mrs. March: Yes, I know. His [the old man's] last son is lying ill miles away, waiting to say goodbye to him, forever, perhaps while I have my four girls to comfort me.
Co-worker: And a real comfort they are, too, aren't they?
Mrs. March: I couldn't bear it without them. Meg and Jo are working, you know?
"There was so much to do, getting boxes ready to go to-morrow."
Posts
No comments :
Post a Comment