New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-21
A BOSTON THANKSGIVING.
IN HOMES FOR OLD PEOPLE.


at Horticultural Hall has held prominent place in
the entertainment of the THANKSGIVING season and
has been more than a means of recreation in carry
ing forward its noble purpose of enlarglng TIL s
Home for Aged Couples. Working for the aged
poor is probably the most popular form of the many
benevolent undertakings in the city. The young
woman of the Back Bay aiternates her sewing Gas,
at missions with her reading hour at the home fol
aged women; her mother sends her carriage to take
the most infirm to drive and her sisters send flowers
and Easter cards aud Christmas cards to cheer the
lives of the peaceful old pensioners no have drfted
to this cain life of well caredor Home
1t is particularly pleasant to contribute to
the work by the bazaar and many well-known peo-
pie have been at the tables Presiding over
all was DR.. Carleton at various booths seen
Mrs Robert Ferguson. Mrs. H. A. Turner, Miss
Anna stephens. Miss Catharlne Bates, Mrs John
Foster, Mrs. j. H. Farrar Mrs. H. c. Rice, Mrs. e.
G. Keyes aud many assistants Twenty young men
made efficient aids and contributed much to the
evening entertainments
The patronage at the fair was one proof of public
favor to promote the comfort of old people the
ease and surety of Thanksgiving entertainments at
all the homes is another demonstration of the faith
fulness with which the aged remembered Now
oil the inmates are looking forward to the great
New England Festival for which ngements are
almost perfected. The dinner will be the centre of
interest Although II may be questioned whether
the roast turkey would be capable of furnishing
the comfort given by a cup of tea, the old people
are eagerly awaiting the day when change IN
their quiet lives will be made by the roast
turkey. the cranberry sauce and other features OF
the festival II is already known that no institu-
tion will be without its dinner of the especial kind
adapted to Thanksgiving. The aged will be
furnished repast from the fund given by Mr..
~ l. -
Home foI Aged Wo non, Mrs. n l. Bowd itch has
given the means for purchasing dinner, generous
custom which she has maintained for twenty
years. he cOored women Will be Jolly over boun-
teous dinner supplied by many donors. among whom
are Mrs. Fish. Mrs. Goddard. and Mr.. MOrsely, and
smaller homes Will be provided by a fund
for this purpose and private contributions To pre-
vent any possible disappointment, the Rev. d. w.
Wadron. the city missionary. has sent note to
each institution. offering any needed assistance in
making the feast as bountful as possible. Many
visitors will enjoy ating at the tables of the
Toasted and seeing the simple pleasure expressed IN
the spontaneous manner of children and of the old
who have put aside the of life.
In most of the Homes, the old
people assembled at a celebration have An appear
ance of elegance and comfort. All are wel-dressed
and some beautifully attired. old ladies in
black silks and lace caps and old cent emen IN best
black suits and polished linen. There sa desire TO
look well as possible. which the marrons eucOur
age. saving that they do not wish the old people to
lose their pride IN appearance Many of the Old men
have the courly manners and formaity character
istic of the best society of fifty and years
ago. and some who are COLLEGE graduates fond
of Latnized words aud sonorous expressions. Ii
Is char ming to the studied politeness of to
another at great occasions hike Thanksgiving
festival AT the home of old ladies the holiday aD-
pearance is equally we'll maintained by an added |
ceremony of manner Sometimes visitor Will be
almost overwhelmed at the punctillOus cOrdiality |
OF manner of the old ladies' as he Is greeted by
after the other with earnest expressions of good |
will as shaking of the hand and I'VE hope you will |
come again. sir" I" We are much Obliged for your
kind attentions SIR" "We would be most happy
to see you again, dear" At all celebrations it Is
evident q he OLD ladies have been accustomed |
10 entertaining IN homes of their own.
The life IN these homes seems 10 be peaceful, con-
tented and happy. Ii is said that the old men, like
ola soldiers accept their rather pathetic lots with
more resignation than the old and more
easily become accustomed to the circumstances of
an lnstl utIon. 10 visitors, who take a superficial
view of lnStil utOns the old ladies probably pre-
sent TIE most interesting study. AT the Home for
Aged Women in Revere-st., which was organized IN
1919 there are now nlnetv-tve old ladies. Two of
these are over ninety years of the Oldest inmate
of the institution beng Dnety-two years and SIX
months The longest time during which any one of
he presep inmates has been home is twenty
six years. There have been five deaths dnrI g the
year from old age but 1t is remarkable fact that
there has not been case of sickness the Home
since last December.
How do YOU take care of old people so that they
nav achieve such wonderful record of good !
healthf" was asked the matron who has had an
experience of over twenty the institution. .
am particularly careful IN to their Diet
she said, :" Id people should have PLAIN food and .
this should be thOroug lv cooked, and they should
not Oe given too many kinds of food at one meal.
allow them 10 have one course of meat at dinner
vegetables Kind 4
pastry, but fruit and pudding and occasionally !
PLAIN pie. The old ladies ike to take their dessert
TO their own rooms to eat al their leisure lhev y,
particularly IKE cheese and have to be careful /
that they do not eat cheese at night. when it
good appeties and ten need gentle restraint but
We are peased 20 have them eat heartily. AS soon &
Is the appetite fails we know that they are losing
health and II II IS not reganed they will pass away"
ne great means of comfort to old ladies the u
ocklng chairs and the pitchers of tea. On one e
christmas each old lady was given a small deco =
ated china pi cher for tea aud three times d. az -
he pitchers are filled with the cheering drink and
carried to the rooms of the old ladies to be enoyed
esurely Sewing and reading, promenading IN the L
lalls and calling upon one another form a p
peaceful routine of life. When visitor reads h
loud to them OF someone provides a concert they Il
re well entertained. In suitable weather, permits
ion is given 10 walk or ride out of doors but the
ruGent ones escape In severe wluter weather. Il
)pOn cold or stormy days she takes the precau- d
ion TO lock the door and 10 announce at breakfast
Ladies, have the key of the door in my pocket
nd Won viii be Obliged 70 find occupation indoors
o-day" Among those who are most Interested al
be institution are Mr. Henry b. Rogers, Mr. W. g. IL
Weld, Mr.. George Hgglnson, Mrs Paul Adams, al
irs +. Z. Manning. Mrs. Hamilton A. Hill. Miss ia
arab c. Brewster, Mr.. Henry Emmons and Mr.. ~
William F. Matchett. VI
The most enthusiastically happy old ladies are a
zen at tle home Tor Aged Colored Women where th
here are twenty inmates. jolly "anntes" portly tn
person and smiling under colored turbans and OF
hlte caps. Their dIgnited matrOn, a lady of a.
dor, preserves great neatness and good -
der in her establishment and exer- W.
ses great Judgment In maintaining a 70
,ntented household these old ladies are looking a.
inward with pleasant expeci atoms 10 the Thanks
wing festival but they have little pleasures de
lrOu ghoui the year IN readings, concerts pIclic
ch summer to Franklin Park, and rides on the
zen borse-cars. This week they gave reception ne