Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-18
STILL IN THE WORLD.
Pretty Nellie O'Sullivan Refuses to
Take the Black Veil.
TWO YEARS In A FRENCH CONVENT
Where the Poor, Sick and Suffering We're
Warmly Welcomed.
COULD NOT STAND A SECLUDED LIFE

Miss Nellie F. O'Sullivan has returned
to her home, 4751 Liberty avenue. after
spending nearly two years in French con-
vent, whittier she went with the intention of
taking the veil Miss O'Sullivan is now
q years of age, and very prepossessing in ap-
pearance. At the age of 1S years she de-
termined to 60 to France and be nun. Her
relatives and friends did all in. their power
to dissuade her, but all to no purpose. She
travelled alone to Rouen, France, and en-
tered the convent of the Petites Secures des
Pauvres Gittle Sisters of the Poor on pro-
baton.
A novice is confined to a convent there
for two years before she takes her final
VOWS which will bind her to the Church for
life. Miss O'Sullivan stayed at the convent
at Rouen till her time of probation was al
most finished, and then she suddenly con-
cluded that a life of retirement was too
much for her buoyant nature to endure, and
she made application for permission to re-
turn to her home in Pittsburg.
The Sisters Failed to Dissuade Her.
The French Sisters were much averse to
her departure, and sent her to convent in
London, England, hoping thereby to make
her change her mind again. Miss O'Sulli-
van resolved to have her own way. however,
and returned to Rouen to prepare for her
departure. writing to her mother in Pitts
burg to say that she was coming home at
once. Mrs. O'Sullivan was naturally surprised
to receive such intelligence. especially when
no cause was given for this new and unex-
pected departure. Hitherto all Miss O'Sulli-
vans letters had been written in cheerful
strain, and gave Mrs. OSullivan the impress
sion that her daughter was happy and con-
tented and had no wish To change her former
resolution of entering the convent. Mrs.
O'Sullivan received telegram late last week
saying that her daughter was on board
La Champagne. She Immediately went to
New York and met her daughter, who trav-
eled in company with several other Sisters
who have come back from France.
A DISPATCH reporter called at Mrs. O'Sul-
livan's residence last night and listened to
an interesting account Of French convent
lie.
Open Arms for tbs Unfortunate.
The convent where Miss o'sullivan stayed
was much similar to the Little Sisters of the
Poor convent in Pittsburg. Miss o'sullivan
had to do housework, sewing, nursing,
vent life. The sick and needy were always
welcome within the doors of the convent,
and no payment was asked in return for
nona n1rsns oAa All the sick people .sss that
to go to the hospital, but the
poor were welcomed with open arms and
carefully tended till well. Shortly before
Miss O'Sullivan's two years of novice life
were to have been finished, she was set
apart from the rest of the novices, and left
alone in solitude to prepare herself for the
final vows. Instantly her lively nature
rebelled, she declared herself anxious to
return home, and much against the wishes
of her advisers in France she came.
Miss O'Sullivan Is undecided as to her
future movements, but thinks that she will
stay at home for year or so and turn her
Housekeeping abilities to good account in
her mothers house.