Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-29

The Noble work They Are Doing In
Richmond.

the Poor was early one morning. while
n I was at market. was stopping In
Il Richmond some weeks under medical
treatment. and, as was an early riser,
l would sometimes so with my landlady
TO market and amuse myself watching
the different persons as they came and
| went.
While standing near one OF the stalls
! there passed by me two o.ack robei
figures with large baskets on their arms,
AS i was from the country. they were
novelties to me. so observed them close
iy Il soon saw they were collecting
eatables from the market-nen and wo-
men. They did not appear TO ask for
anything. but wherever they paused
something was thrown into their baskets.
and with thanks they passed on 10 other
parties
On my way home I questioned Miss
f, and found visitors were admitted to
their institutions, and, as M curiosity
was aroused TO know more about them
and their work, I went 20 their Home
for the Aged" which is situated In the
western end OF Richmond
ihe building Is very large, covering
more than an acre Of ground there are
hve acres In alD. Looking from the up
per windows, one finds the views lovely:
beautiful panorama that spreads out be-
| fore II in the distance.
The grounds surrounding this building
are well kept, and In summer, when tina
MOVERS (of which there are a great num-
ber) are In bloom, the front yard is truly
| beautiful.
Two large yards are attached to the
| building; one for the old men, and one
FOR old women; and in warm weather the
aged people are seen walking about the
| grounds. or resting on the seats that are
ihvitingiy placed everywhere.
| Summer-houses covered with vines and
flowers. and with comfortable seats in
them, are scattered about the grounds:
and wicker-chairs, and benches are plac-
\ Ed on the fresh, green grass for the old
people to rest In.
ADJUSTMENTS.
Amusements, as well as comforts. are
PROVIDED for them. / came across par
Ties playing checkers and BACKGAMMON:
ana one old man appeared deeply inter- |
ested In fower-garden that was filled |
with beautiful flowers. He was French, |
presume, as the mother complimented |
MS flowers in that language. |
L noticed neat building in the yard |
and inquired what ii was for. One of the |
sisters told me 1t was house where the |
old men went when they wished to smoke. |
as they were not allowed to smoke I'm the |
main building. On my expressing sur
prise at allowing the men to use tobacco |
. SISTER replied. You might as well
deprive them OF their food as of their
tobacco"
Since l was there, which was some
years ago, the building has been very
much enlarged and everything else has
grown In proportion. They then had two
ferent kinds Of fowls. In one part cf
the grounds was a pond, In which geese
and ducks We're swimming Pigeons
were flying to and from their cotes. The
RABBITS house was filled with yarious
xmas OF rabbfts-the pure, white ones
Win pretty pink eyes, large black ones.
and many other varieties. Some fne-
ROCKING hogs were in pen. In the gar
uen were many vegetables and fruit
trees; also, a quantity OF grapes. Large
uroors In the shape of a cross, and COW
cred with grape-vines were in the gar
uen. IL was pretty picture to see the
rich purple grapes shining through their
green leaves; they looked so cool and
tempting, and they were delicious. The
olster' VINO had her scissors hanging by
her side. kindly cut off some for me.
AN ORDERLY HOUSEHOLD.
In the house everything was so order
~ me large halls and bedrooms, as
wen as the inffrmares, were imrnacu-
late' The numerous windows were pol-
lshed till they glistened. The bedsteads
were all OF iron, with snow-whte counter
panes, or bright quilts (the work of the {
DID women) on them. Each bed was sup
pned with two pillows. L was anxious a
10 know IL the beds were made Of feath- j
FRS, and not feeling at liberty TO ask e
'OuchGd several ,t.. | n
ease. Sister informed me some OBJ p
ecoed to sleeping on feather-beds.
one Inmate told the mother he mad been o
'ieeplng Tor so many years on the floor !;
With plank for pillow that he could NOT p
stand featner-bed.
All the old people looked very nea- and
lean. Their garments were often old
md patched, but they were as clean as r
oap and water could make them, and
lot hole or rent could be seen anywhere.
some or the old women knit others
ew' ana some help the Sisters, but the q
,reater part of them, think, spend their a
ime reading or idling. asked some of =
hem If they were required to help the
sister They said: mo, but when we 81
re able We are only too glad 10 be of In
my assistance to them, they are SO good
o u.s."
1t was touching to see how they. espe- ~
ially the sick ones seemed to cling RI | O.
he Sisters, and how gentle and tender the :,
after were with them, often talking to 10
hem and treating them as If they were
tile children. And many OF them were ~
70 more Than little children As the ~
listers would pass by them, they would -.
each forth ;heir hands to stop them. g.,
Selling the SISTERS hands end -
issing them. The Sisters would ALWAYS
Top and say Kind words TO them Y,
Many OF the old people looked as though ~ -,
hey had, indeed, found a haven of rest -
fter the storms Of life Id
OLD WOMEN'S INFIRMARY ~
In the old women's inirmary there were ar
'Veral patients over 100 years old One ",
as propped up In an armchair with a ! In
nan table in front Of her. on which to no
st her arms. She was quite chattv. a.
no understood all that was said 10 her.
ne mad candy the Sisters Kept her sun a.
led with Il, as she was so fon1 of IN :"
nd onered me some. l was about to de- az
Inc taking 1t when one of the Sisters e.
hispered 10 me TO take 1t and not hurt Go
e old woman's feelings by refusal. wi
found the Little Sisters do nDs con- -,
lie themselves 70 admitting only Catho- 10
IS TO the home. Any one provided 80
} or she is 60 years old and has no home
means, is taken in, regardless OF creed
sect
Methodists, Baptists, and Episcopalians III
ere there, with many OF whom 1 talked
~ all spoke in praise of the home and Y
e kindness OF the sisters. cio
The ProteStants are allowed TO see min =.
ers or their own belief ard when a 10
otestant inmate dies a Protestant min al
or Is notified of the fact, and Il he str