The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-20

Mary SIsta'. Fate when 1O4, Despite Her
Effort. TO Make Herself Us-fui.

Efforts TO Mako Herself Usrfu1.
In the Hobokep Police Court on Saturday
appeared Angelo Siskells. tall ana swarthy
italian. and his mother-in-law. Mary Sista.
aged. as she said. 1o4 years and six months.
The man petitioned for the old womans re-
moval to the county almshouse.
What's the matter2 Cant you take care OF
herp' asked the Poormaster before whom the
case was brought.
shes getting too old: wants to boss too
much" said the son in law.
Then he went on to explain that his mother
in-law had become q burden after all these
years. and that neither he n or her son. Antonio
Sista OF go Adams street. was willing to sup
port the old woman longer. She has been
shifted from one house to the other at intervals
OF few weeks until both families had become
tired Of her existence. Angelo said she had
grown tlresome because of that infrmity Of
age evidenced by a growing desire to run
things. Six years ago she had been brought
from her home In sunny Italy to die among
her children at Hohoken. Since there were no
tonic wanted her to 20 to the almshouse. An
tonic was not In the police court because he
agreed. however. that the county should take
ended - NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the son law and the Poormastsr. Mrs. Sista
stood in wonder over the cause OF her presence
feet high. Despite her age she has swapping
black eyes. and ia a. straight as pole After
woman, the Poormaster said she should 20 to
the almshouse.
Snn s stsd S the To The s6n
wept bitterly. Then she arose. and turning to
Angelo reproaehed him with all tho fire her
southern blood could awaken Angelo will
not tell what she said. but tho sergeant says
no turned hastily away before she had I'm.
IN the street. his mother in law. escorted by q
policeman. took her seat with the days Rrist
OF prisoners. and was soon in the almshouse.
The members Of the sista famIly-three gem
so et OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES When smS rspoPter csisS
yesterday at 80 Adams street. They live in
three rooms in the top story q a tenement
kella. the husband OF Mrs. sista's, grand
dauGhtsr lie earns living hy picking up
had baen taken to the almshouse. and called
upon her son Antonio, to prove his statement.
tn at OF course they wouldn't permit her to be
taken aWayto i've on the eounty.s charity
6S4 ys sss G1
ought 10 be locked up for treating the old
woman in such manner lilo has seen her
searching the neighborinG streets for old Junk
% exchange for lew pennies; In The rear Of
bits oi old iron. All OF this was picked up By
Mrs. Sista
the boys around Adams street gathered at the
corners and relieved their enthusiasm with
bonfires. They collected barrel s from all around
tho neighborhood and burned away the wood.
leaving the hoops curlsd in the ashes. The fires
were yet smouldpTng when Mrs. SistA was out
in the early morning gathering the iron hoops
for the junk pile Gallagher says that every
night she came into the house with her apron
filled with food collected from the refuse bar
rels along the street. She picked out the bits
Of stale bread. washed away the ashes. and
soaked il in water until soft enough 10 be
crumblel by her few teeth. GSllsgher de-
carss Ia never saw an old woman SO active, or
more ambitious 60 bring money ana FOOD TO
the house. He thinks that il work counts.
she was entitled 10 be boss Of tho house rather
than bs clrted away ~ county pRuper when
so many relatives were near to provide food
and shelleT.