The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-22
OLDPEOPLE'S HOME
1t Has a New Manager and
a New MatrOn.
Aged People on Probation-How the
Inmates Pass Away the Time.
Reading the News.

The Old Peoples Home has new man.
ager, the Rev. r. NJ. Edwards and new
matron. Mrs. Frank Smith. with both of
whom the people express great satisfaction.
1T is delightful here" exclaimed new
inmate OF the home. who was visited by a
CALL reporter yesterday. II have quite
decided to make this my permanent abode"
The old gentleman was undergoing the
three months probation that the managers
exact before permitting either ladies OF
gentlemen to become settled inmates.
They might not like us, or we might not
like them," explained the genial matron
$50 we require 500 for three months board
and lodging from newcomers in addition to
the $1,000 entrance fee. At the end of the
three months eople are at liberty to have
their $1,000 returned if the institution does
not please them"
1t appears, however. that very few avail
themselves OF this privilege, for the inmates
of the home have all the comforts Of life
and many of It's luXuries.
The dressiug-bell rings at A. NJ. and
breakfast is ready at g. Those. however.
who find that early rising Injuries their
health or who desire another forty Winks
can partake of breakfast in bed. One of the
changes inaugurated by the new manage
ment is TO set at naught the plans of the
architect, who had one dining-room quilt
for ladies and another for gentlemen. at is
more socable for all to sit together" OBJ
served the matron. THE manager presides
in one room and l In another aud we all
have very agreeable, chatty time at the
table"
There are three meals daily. at which the
good things of this earth are literally pro-
vded. for, although not permitted 10 par
take Of one of these repasts, THE CALL re-
-. fe,ws Al tnfx IL rAA
mysteries OF the kitchen and pantry, and
the ample stock of tempting viands seen
there youched for the excellence of the
table.
In the kitchen was very old woman
scrubbing pans, who looked like the or
iginal Meg Merrlies or the Witch OF Eudor
until drawn into conversation, and then her
face lighted up with an expression that was
beautiful. Unfortunately thu conversation
was one-sided, and the old lady did it all. as
no one else In the kitchen understood Swed-
lsh, the sole tongue In which Mrs. Hanson
coDveTses.
''She has trunk full of Clothes" OBJ
served Mrs. Smith regretfully. but she pre-
fers those wornout old things. The only
way we can make her d.ess nicely is TO
steal her rags and burn them"
Evidently IL panied the matron to resort
to these extreme measures 10 Induce the
aged domestic to abandon a style of dress
ance. would make her invaluable as an
artists model
Including ladies and gentlemen the home
has about 80 inmates, thirty of whom are
at present more OF less bedrldden, and all
these thirty ike TO have visit every day
from the, matron. One gentleman, who is
tenderly looked after by influential friends
In San Francisco. asks Mrs. Smith, as
personal favor. to enter his room singing.
AS for rules" observed the Rev. Mr. Ed
wards, I'VE can scarcely be said to have
any fixed rules beyond those that are abso-
lutely necessary for the wel-belng of the
inmates. Old people in their own homes
about Unfortunately and come in at all
hours. For their own welfare a little su-
pervisioD has 10 be exercised. | had a letter
only this morning from lady who is away
visiting friends. She stated that she
course l consented at once. for we know
that she IS with people who take good care
Of her."
The ladies and gentlemen at the Old
Peoples Home are not without amusement
They W lille away the time pretty much as
people do IN large clearinghouse. Every
month an entertainment Is provided, at
which some OF the inmates frequently dis
tinguish themselves, and their efforts are
supplemented by outside talent.
Every evening they assemble in the
pretty drawlng-rOom and library and play
cards and chess, or indulge in music. and Il
has now become an established custom. to
which all cling tenaciously. for the matron
to impart the news by reading aloud THE