The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-30

cosy refuge donated and dedicated to these
aged ones by Mrs. Charles Croker in Sep
TENDER last.
An hour later the party left the train at
Fruitvale Station, and took the cars on the
ambitiously designated California Railroad,
or more popularity and extensively known
as the Laundry Farm road. The Southern
Pacific and the California railroads had
franked the party to the destinati on, which
was reached within ten minutes after leaY-
ing the FruitVae crossing.
A MERRY TINE.
The old folks had a merry time on the
cars and some of them began singing
snatches of songs of the "Wait for the
Wagon" type. The ladies were in an inn
mense majority and the few old gentlemen
who went along had to essay the pleasing,
but difficult, task of playing the gay cavalier
TO two ladies at once. The Rev. w. l..
Citizens, formerly rector of the Church OF
the Advent and now Superintendent of the
home, was In charge of the old people and
the happiness on their faces was strongly
reflected on his.
Among the ladies who co operated through
out the day in making the excursion a sue
cess were Mrs. Isaac Hecht, manager of the
home; Mrs. a. W. Scott, Mrs. William
Brown, Mrs. William Dutton, Mrs. j. J..
Barton and Mrs. James Martell DR.. A. p.
Woodward, the attending physician of the
home, was also as largely instrumental in
promoting the mlrthful element among the
old folks as he has been in his professional
capacity in concocting potiOns for them.
RETROSPECTIVE.
Tie home was started thirteen years ago
with two beds and no money. To-day IL
has 107 inmates ard about 80 vacant beds.
There is, as might be expected, constant
stream of applications for admission TO the
in " Fri q
charity, is largely supported by voluntary
contributions. No offer Of payment can Sc
cure admission of undesirable inmates, and
all applications are treated strictly on their
merits, after a thorough investigation, in
which all sectarian or social bias is elimin-
ated. Many of the aged picnckers yester-
day showed signs OF good standing in So
riety in the past, and tie party as whole
looked the picture Of responsibility and re-
finement
AS soon as the last invalid had been as
sisted out OF the cars at the Seminary Sta
ton the way was taken afOOt through pleas
ant fields and green lanes and past Dabbling
brooks TO the institution, which looked a
marvel of beauty with Its natural festOOnS
of climbing roses and creepeTs relieving the
baroness Of the severely scholastic walls.
1t was not long before Mrs c. I. Mills, the
hostess, APP cared and welcomed the party to
lunch in the large dininG-hall.
GOOD APPETITEs.
At the prompting of the Rev. w. L. 9th
ems the entire company Joined heartily In
singing the doxology, and then a cold cola
ton was dispatched with rapidity that
spoke well for the appetizing influences of
Alameda County air.
Then the old people wandered about the
Institution aud grounds or gathered in little
knots on the pOrtico They were photo
graphed of course, and SO were the MEM
bers of the Young Ladies' Auxiliary, who
had been indefatgable in keeping their ell
derby charges amused. Nothing could be
more praisewOrthy than the unselfiSh devo-
tion of the young ladies, and Ii really seemed
that in trying to make the old folks as hap
Ply as possible they had caught the infection
themselves. Among those who entered
with friendly rivalry into this work were:
Misses n. Boyd, NJ. Nelson. c. Peterson,
Miss Nightingale, Miss A. Pollock, Miss
Plum, Miss Convey, Miss Davis, Miss Holt,
Miss Batchelder, Miss q. Nightingale. Miss
MCMILLAN, Mrs. Z. E. Miller and Mrs.
Unger.
The center-tab in the parlor was pres
emily wheeled away, and LeOne's Orchestra,
which had been brought along, played Sc
lectOnS from "Maritana," while the young
ladies were tTotting out the old beaux and
the aged bellies for genuine Virginia reel.
The girls themselves joined in the fun, and
as soon as the band struck up the air, it was
Hands across and back again" for half an
hour, till the old people were fairly pumped
out-bIeathlessly happy.
NoTABLEs PRESENT.
There were some notable persons among
these inmates of the home. One of them
was Colonel Jones, a ine-looking man of
IS years, well known in his time as local
POstoffice and customs official. Then, too,
there was the Rev. Professor Higbe, also
septuagenarian, and August Mack, who,
though 68 years old, does all the engineering
work a. the home
OF the old ladies, one Of the most notice
able was Mrs. Ann White, who makes no
secret OF being rs years old, notwithstan
the census, and who, in most tasteful and
picturesque gown with lavender bow,
looked as if she thought life worth living
and wished to convert others to the same
way of thinking Mrs. Stewart and her
partner fer life. both over 20 years, made
happy-l0Oking couple, and those familiar
with the home recognized with satisfaction
the features of Mrs. Woodbury.. who acts
as d0Or-keepeT and clceroUe, and also of
Mrs. Hill, who helps in the same good work.
THANKS TENDERED.
Before leaving, the Rev. Mr.. Citizens. on
behalf of the managers OF the home, ten
dered thanks to Mrs. c. L. Mills for the
hospitality extended, and to The MORNING
CALL and other newspapers for sending
representatives.
The party left the seminary on the return
journey about 4 o'clock, reaching the city
shortly after O'Clock. But one regret was
expressed, that two of the old lady inmates
Of the home had 10 be left behind on ac-
count OF their infirmites, though they had
been dressing themselves since early morn
ing in anticipation of the treat. The man.
ayers are delighted with the success of the
trip, and express the hope that the old
peoples picnic may become an annual event.