St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-03
Home for the Aged, Conducted
by Little Sisters OF the
Poor.
HINTS OF ITS CHARACTER.
Sketches Of Some Of the De-
pendents Who Are Cared
For There.
BOYS AND GIRLS OF EIGHTY
Who Pass the Time as Happily
as Children, Even Singing
and Dancing.


practically u paradise for the many
of both sexes who, burdened by the
weight of years, racked by disease
OF shattered by dire misfortunes, are
thrown upon the mercy of a, selfish
world At the home these unfortun-
ates enjoy the comfort and benefit
of a pleasurable existence while
awaiting the summons Of removal
from above.
Fifty-tWO years ago, i'll the power
ty-oppressed urn vince of Brittany
in France, a :3ood father inau-
gurated the home Of which the St
Paul institution is ROW one of 2IC
branches, forty If which are con-
Quoted in America. IN that campas-
atiVely brief interim holy W Dmon
have ministertd TO The wants and
sufferings of thousands 1 aged AID
infirm, rescuing them rom exist
ences of misery and deprivation,
and gently caring for their treble
bodies and shattered iatellrcts Or II
the end.
The ST. Paul Home for the Aged,
conducted by the Little Sisters of the
Poor, is, as its title signifies, a home
"a home in the endearing sense of
the word, not a mere shelter from
chilling blast, from winters snow
and summers rain, but an abode
where Christian love and care are
extended to all. The conditions of
admission are simple. The appli-
cant must be destitute and over
sixty years of age. Both men and
women are eligible, and all are per-
mitted to worship God as their in
clinations dictate.
THE OLD FOLKS
are provided with food and clothing
and are terderly nursed when ILL.,
The supplies for the institution the
Sisters secure wholly by charitable
contributions.
Sheltered in the home for the
aged, which overlooks the placid
waters of the Mississippi from it's
location on Wilkin street. are 12O
old and infirm people, the combined
years of whom would perhaps ex-
coed S,500. One perturbed by world
ly cares or immersed in the delights
of earthly happiness might pass
hours with great benefit, and readily
learn many salutary lessons at this
institution. The spectacle presented
by this large number Of extremely
aged persons, whose utter helpless
ness. seems to appeal direct to ones
better self, is one not readily for
gotten. The visitor is at once i'm
pressed by the air of calmness and
contentment which prevails as he
faces old folks whose memories can
wander back into the vista of time
for almost 4 by-gone century. The
busy, busting world seems far re-
moved when one enters the abode
Of dependent, forsaken humanity
decrepit old ladies with silvery locks
happy old souls content with the
approach of the reaper.
Peaceful old men, too, helpless as
babes, whose intellects in many
cases are but "reminiscences, chronic
InValids, who know not even a
brief release from the torture of ex-
cruclatlnS pain, and many merci-
lessly neglected and abused by those
they had once cherished, enjoy an ex-
fstence of contentment with the Lit
tie Sisters Of the Poor
Yet, like humanity in general, these
10 unfortunates, or Children, as
Mother M. Christiana and her corps
OF sisters designate them, are oc
sionally actuated by the feelings that
one would naturally suppose move
only the younger element of humanity.
Two old men of ninety may have a lit
tie tiff over a pipe full of tobacco, but
reproving word from the mother set
ties all differences, and the old
CRONIES MAKE UP.
The old gentlemen are very proud of
their attire, and often a well-hangine
coat on a beau of seventy will arouse
the green-eyed monster among his fell
low dependents. There are some really
handsome old men in the home. me
who in years gone by reveled in the
joys of success and received the love
and admiration of. gentlewomen. But
few care to uncover the tomb of their
joys and woes of by-gone years, and
others could not, so the history of past
triumphs and associations is firmly
locked
Others at glance indicate the trials
and misfortunes that have so darkIy
crossed the horizon of their existence
one inmate, an old man of seventy
five, who still retains remarkable de-
gree OF intelligence, taught school for
hfty successive years, only to be aban-
doned when age overlook him. He
was purposely deserted in the union
depot in this city, and rescued by tho
sisters. Sitting erect in a wheeled
chair is man so completely paralyEeG
that he is unable to utter a word ex-
cept worse, worse" when asked about
his condition. For years he has not
placed one foot in front of the other
and never will.
An old gentleman of ninety-five is
the grandpa" of the male contingent
Although his memory is a blank. he
is content, and daily thanks God fo,
prolonging his existence. His con.
freres of eighty and ninety all love
him, and young fellows" of seventy.
five Vie with each other in their at.
tentions to grandpa Another aged
inmate who is most devout always
attends chapel, though completed,
blind, and he sings and chants as
happily as if blessed with all the goo6
fortunes of life. A little Irishman O.
seventy often amuses the boys will
his nimble antics, dancing a clog will
as much pride as an expert VARIETY
performer, and he is never happier
than when dancing before
HIS AGED ADMIRERS.
A glance among the many old wome1
sheltered at the home betrays NOR,
than one placid face upon which trace
Of past loneliness still linger The.
are sweet old ladies by whose side on