The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-10-23
BERLlN'S CITY SHELTER,
Unique German Charity Which Nigh
Well Be Instituted Here.

A Unique German Charity Which Might
Well Be Instituted Here.
Ono of the most noteworthy institu-
tons of Berlin is that known as tho
City Shelter" the like of which is
to be found in no other capital in the
world. 1t stands just outside Berlin,
was opened in October, 1887, and is
intended for tho accommodation not
only of homeless individuals, but OF
homeless families as we'll. 1t consists
of one large three.story building, and,
in the rear, twenty one-story barracks,
each of which is capable of accom-
modating from sixty to eighty per-
sons. The main building is intended
chiefly for poor families. Rents are
excessively high in Berlin. and it
often happens that an artisan or la
bOrer gets into arrears with his pay
ments, and finds himself elected with
his family into the street, having no
money in his pocket with which to
hire fresh rooms His resource on
such an occasion is the "City Shelter"
whittier he goes with his wife and
children and whatever household eff
fects he shall possess.
On their arrival the clothing they
wear and the furniture they have
brought with them are thoroughly dis
infected, and the members of the fami-
ly are sent to different parts of the
establishment, according to sex or
age. The husband is located in the
mems department; the wife, the eldest
daughters and the smallest children
are sent to that for women. while the
boys over six years of age are cared
for in rooms specially set apart for
them. The entire family are allowed
to remain in the shelter for eight
days, and are not only lodged, but are
provided also with good wholesome
food by the city. not a penny being
asked for from them In return. The
women. however, are expected to as
sist In the laundry and in keeping the
establishment scrupulously clean; the
men are allowed certain hours of alb.
sence, during which they may 60 in
search of work should they be out Of
employment. while the boys get regu-
lar instruction in the school-rooms.
Should it be found that the husband
or father has honestly striven to obtain
work during the eight days, but has
failed, the family is allowed to remain
for still another such period. Even
then, if he should have obtained an en-
gagement which is not sufficiently re
munerative to enable him to set up 6
fresh home at once. the wife and chill
dren may remain still longer in tn.
shelter, and he may 60 there and slecl
at night. Even with all this the kind
ness of the city does not end. for whel
at last the family leave they may b.
presented with from fifteen to twent,
shilIings toward their preliminar,
household expenses.-N. Y. Post.
| -&-eA--
Stage murders with guns ant
pistols are often ridiculous farces. Til,
black hearted villain fires at the file
and the prosecuted hero facing hin
drops dead" To escape the ridicu
lous in this line of stage effort new
weapon has been invented by NJ
Philippe, secretary of the Bsuffe
Parisiennes. Paris. 1t contaiss long
spiral spring. which carries needl
at the end. The piece is loaded b,
COMPRISING the spring, which is re
tanned by simple mechanism, and in
sorting in the muzzle cork, whicl
contains charge of Illuminating mer
curry. On pulling the trigger the sprini
is released and the needle strikes tn
illuminate, which explodes blowing tn
cork into dust. 1t is said these gun
can be lereled directly at any perso
Land discharged without risk.