The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-10

ed with many cups that cheer after the
manner OF the country. In the evening
neighbors call who keep up ana eiS-
phaslze the relation flb. which hence
forth, for practical purposes, becomes a
fact.
Immediately after breakfast next
morning the friend IL assigned tn an oc-
cupation In his Oom's household, the
shop, or on his farm, the choice OF du-
ties being left To him. He accompanies
his pseudo brothers, sisters ana cousins
among them usually several afflicted
like himself--to the scene or usefulness.
and all begin work I'm earnest. The
friends" are encouraged TO sing and
play practical jokes on their comrades,
but the sane ones among the latter
never repay I'm kind.
Six TO eight hours OF manual labor is
the minimum. and N a friend" doesn't
take kindly To It, he is persuaded by
the Heer Oom's paternal authority or
by presents In kind or in money. Many
lunatics like 20 work sporadically, but
that won't do at all. Gheefs popula-
tion knows that its crazy settlers get
cured with st. Dympna's aid, by work.
ing for their living at farmin" house
building, etc, and wit hthe persever-
ance that IL one OF the chief character
istics OF the Flemish, chronic lazybones
are barred from the resort. I'VE can't
cure loafers," they say. "let them 30
10 an asylum"
Two hundred OF Gheel's Iunatic, popu-
lation receive regular wages from their
keepers and have money I'm the savings
bank; 800 more earn their tobacco and
drinking money Among those paid in
kind are numerous women who receive
premiums In the shape Of jewelry, trim
kets, ribbons. and the like.
Aside from their regular employment
the friends" enjoy almost unrestricted
liberty. They may visit saloons, and II
one announces his intention to travel
the landlord willingly helps pack his
grip and sends him 10 the station with
many good wishes. The ticket seller
OF course, recognizes his customer and
sells him either worthless ticket
which the ticket taker confscates, on
keeps him waiting until the train Is
gone.
The saloonkeeper follows a similar
mode OF conduct. He has always one
glass OF beer or wine or schnappa for
friend" but no more. we just run
out of stuff. and the next barrel won't
be tapped till tomorrow The whole
population works hand i'm han1 10 give
the insane the illusion OF being entirely
unrestricted, and these unhappy people
stop yearning for liberty because IL
seems always at their elbow.
The result OF this treatment or alb
sence Of treatment, rs astonishing. ite-
ports OF. the state medical board show
that 60 per cent. OF friends" are cured.
while all without exception lind relief
and comfort in Gheel. Those that a,
home were raving maniacs become
harmless after a two or three weeks
stay.
The tact OF these peasants Is. indeed
wonderful. When told that maniacs are
generally regarded with fear they could
not understand IL. Why they SAID
"all the friends carry knives, whi-,
axes, sledgehammers, hoes. etc, are
their every day tools. and yet the town
annals have no record OF any act OF
violence committed by friend In two
centuries"
Occasionally" said the town pastor
I'VE have a violent fellow, and then call
i'm the assistance OF the children. A
neighbor OF mine once had friend
guest. who insisted upon smashing All
the available crockery every day oI
two. When persuasion failed eIxn-
man gave him her baby to hold the
moment she saw his attack of frenzy
coming on. Mind your little sister
We'll she said: don't break IL or God
will punish you 1t worked like
charm, and since then hundreds OF ba-
bles have been employed i'm the same
fashion, and none ever got hurt"
Gheel has numerous lawn tennis and
bowling clubs, composed almost entire
ly OF lunatics: insane people perform
every Sunday OF the year on the city's
amateur stage. and there are several
good actors and actresses among them
\ philanthropic society," the leader OF
which is an intermittent maniac. gives
most creditable concerts and the male
and female choirs of st. Dympna'E
church are celebrated throughout the
province for their wonderful lunatics-
these all lunatics.