The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-09

of seeing the superintendent. On meeting
him she mumbled ''Wait, sir. I have
something to tell you---but have forgot
ten what it is. Ah--there, now know
my oldest son died died four days ago-I
was sure that l had something to tell
you"
Others, on the contrary, are very lively
and energetic for their age, oscillating be-
tween madness and common sense, but
they avoid all speaking. Some believe
themselves prosecuted; words that are
not frightened by them. They love ex-
citement--even search for it. In their
eyes the nourishment, the bed, the wine,
the medical treatment--in short, every
things bad. and it is very difficult to
keep them IN peace. One of them occu-
pied her whole time in assembling all the
cats she could find around her bed, and
when they were removed she became raw
ing mad. believing since that day she will
soon die If the cats are not restored to her.
Such cases are generally transferred to .
ward where the lighter cases Of insanity
are cared for.
Those who are still capable of being EN-.
ployed work for and are paid by the ads
ministration. The less alert mako linis
ment. others sew bags, shirts and knit
stockings. They have to be very indusA
trious to make 4 or 5 sous . day. A few
have preserved q marvellous eyesight and
skill in their hands. One old woman, 81
years old, nicknamed the Fairy" ems
broidered ON linen. without eyeglasses,
with such perfection as would make Q
young needle woman jealous. Those in
charge are very kind to these cross old
women, who work from morning to night.
1t is habit to call them the "mothers,"
and the officials have always o good word
in their behalf.
A striking feature of the establishments
Is an abundance of garden flowers which
adora the window sills.
The officials and under-officials. gener.
ally young women, are excellent. In
their gray uniforms, black tulle caps with
white batiste bands, they have an austere
appearance which contrasts strangely
with their buxom youth. Many of them
are young women of good family, educated
In boarding schools and declaring with
pride that they are "filles du Legion
d Honneur." The recompense for their
hard. trying work is very meager, being
at the maximum not more than 500 francs
q year. "
The dormitories of the Salpetriere, at
least those refitted within the last thirty
years, are very handsome. lighted by large
windows, in good condition and often
showing an extreme cleanliness. Every
bed has q large drawer, and there is
white wooden chest to hold their gar
ments and all the thousand little knick-
knacks that are dear to women's hearts.
Ii you chance to pass one of these treas
ure boxes while it is open, you will see
old perfume bottles, hair dyes and broken
pots of pommade. sugar basins, dishes
half filled with odds and ends, bric-a-brac
and other useless tribes which make up
the personal property of these poor old
women. In q corner of many of their
chests stands little Virgin in clay, orna-
tol xxyrf aud lad ~
colored pictures of SAINTS, before which is
little cup holding holy water. One can
go no where in Paris without being con-
tinually reminded that the population il
Catholic.
noticed one shrivelled up old woman
sitting on one Of the beds, looking at an
old painting representing the head of 4
young child crowned with white roses. +
looked at the woman, who understood tn .
silent question, and said: "She is my
daughter. 1t is now sixty years since l
lost her." Her eyes grew moist, and she
added: THAT is all / saved from the ship
wreck"
There are two old dormitories; the in
mates of which are greatly envied by the
others. They are both on the top floor,
and therefore afford beautiful view OK
Paris. One is termed the "Black Forest,
on account of the blackened framework OF
its roof, which is so low that tall man
cannot stand straight under it. The other
is called tho chamber of Thirteen" from
the number of beds it contains.
The inmates of st. Felix, section Of the
poor house, are the most privileged, as
each has so-called chamber that con-
tains their bed, two chairs, chest Of
drawers, with curtains at the windows
and around the bed. They are also al
lowed to keep a cat, a cage of birds, and to
hang pictures on the wall. Here many Of
the lower government employees are to be