The morning times., 1896-11-27
AN AMERICAN LEPERS' HOME.
The Only Place of the Sort in the
Union,
Nelc York Ereninq Sun.


Few persons know that the only Lepcrs'
Home in the United States is one recently
established in the parish of lberyille, not
gIcny miles above New Orleans
1t is State Institution, its board OF
directors is entirely masculine, but 1t is
women who give personal service to these
diseased outcasts.
The Lepers home in Louisiana has for
its inmates men and women, black and
white, who have come TO ii from different
States of the Union.
After the board Of directors had 1ormu-
lated its plans, after the funds had been
placed at its disposal, one great difficulty
vas encountered. Who could be got to
care properly for the lepers? one illu-
minated director proposed that they set
forth their difficulty to the mother su-
pcnOr OF the convent at Emm etsburg Nd.
Forthwith this mother called on Sister
Beatrice. then in charge of the hospital
at Lowell, Mass. when the summons came
Sister Beatrice oh eerfully resigned her
charge and became the Jealous and untiring
superior of the Lepers' Home in Louisiana.
Sister Annie, Sister Thomas, and Sister
Cyrl soon Joined her, and together they
have made this house a real home for those
who dwell in it.
The sisters established themselves in the
old Camp mission, once one Of the finest
plantation residences in louisiana, hut now
somewhat fallen into decay. With that
marvellous genius for systematic aud wise
administration which is characteristic Of
the order. they soon converted the iilapi-
dated dwelling into a comfortable home.
The house stands in the midst Of n grove OF
towerin. peCans and wide spreading oaks.
Not far from this building is n new house,
wherein dwelt the resident physician and
n priest Of the church, both consecrated to
the service Of humanity. In this building
also all the patients take their meals,
prepared by black Cook.
1ne sisters strive to interest and amuSe
their patients. encouraging those who are
able TO sew, wash, cut and saw wood, and
cultivate the garden. There is large
park for exercise and recreation furnished
with swings, benches and outdoor games of
various kinds. The lepers live in small
cottages built on either side of live oak
avenue. These houses are comfortably fur.
nished and spotlessly clean. Each house
is occupied by two persons, except where
there are more than two members of the
same family. IN which case they are all
permitted to live together.
In one of them live four sisters. They
are all afflicted with the disease, and in
each case it is of a different type.
Among the patients is a man of seventy
five, who does not remember when he
was not a leper. Another is Union
veteran drawing a pension and still in
love with life. Yet another is a Young
mulatto, who was employed as carpenter
n building the cottages. Hardly had he
driven the last nail when he found him.
self Il lcper. But the most interesting pa
tients are pair of lovers.
About six years ago in the parish of
Lafourche there lived fine young fellow
of about twenty-five, who was engaged
To pretty girl Of eighteen. Almost upon
the eve OF marriage he made the discovery
that he was leper. He released the girl
from her promise, though she implored
him to marry her. He sought a clearing
in the heart of the woods and lived there
alone. AS soon as the home was open he
sought its shelter. His sweetheart still
declared that some day they would be
united. Six months after her lover en-
tered the home she, too, sought it, leper
THUS this pair, so tragically united, are
forever disunited, as marry they cannot,
ut least as long as they are inmates of the
home. They spend much of their time
together and see mcileerful enough.
abandon hope all We who enter here, :"
might seem a fitting inscription for the
gateway of the Lepers' Home. Yet its
Inmates, race to face with Il horrible fate
seem cheerful, and even happy, 1t is a
genuine surprise to find, ,instea d of wretched
sullen, despairng people, set of peace
full, cOntented folk.
Inc niartyruom OF Father Damien and
the self-sacrificc of Sister Rose have been
told IN every corner OF the earth, but
few have heard anything of this band of
martyr women. With heroic courage
they offer up their lives upon the altar of
love and humanity. Daily hourly, these
Women are in contact with these plague
stricken people. Yet they say OF their
ministrations: ut is naught! 1t is naucbt,
In an age when woman is often loud in
proclaiming her superiority over man and
the old order of women, it is little
curious to find band of this old order
doing its work under a seal of smiling
silence.