New-York tribune., 1899-07-09

+ben, and hone TO have a model leper colony.
have sent out word 10 the alcaldes all over the
island TO find all the lepers there may be and send
them TO the lazaretto near here until the island Is
ready for them
"'Oh. Captainr said. that is what have come
for I want 70 60 out and visit your lazaretto
Are there any women there?
Yes more than half women, but only
dozen in all
Please, may go out 10 visit them
Have you fear? What is your ooject' l
decidedly object 10 visitors who go out OF mere
curiosity
mo I am not afraid, and feel as II might
comfor, them. and some good may come OF my
visit You know a woman often sees Things 'la'
a man does not that might bring more comfort 10
women Have you a matron"
"'No; the keeper is a man. The doctor visits
them daily and I myself am a constant caIler
They have nv sympathy I do not feel that the
disease "a as contagious as some people suppose.
have studied them carefully Some OF them nave
lived for years with their families at home, sleep
ing in the same room and often in the same bed
without contagion. The women are OF all ages
Then the Captain knit his brows. and presently
asked When do you wish 70 goF
'Nov-to-day-if I may
so it was arranged. At p. m we TOOK car, car
rage at the Plaza and drove out past the historic
Cristobal Colon frowning down upon US rom 'he
hillside out past the settlements with the Htlie
naked children playing in the sun WINE 1ne o'u7i
people lounged on the vcrandas or IN the door"ays
scantily clad: past the haunted Fort Gerno' wiz.
,s romantic walk OF palms; then along stre,ch Oh
,ou,.rv road and presently long white building
.ona INTO sight back OF which was small 10"
structure. surrounded by group Of tropica plants
a,d naIms Before 1t stretched the waters OF the
inner bay. -,
In front OF the large building were seVeral sol,
diers one Of whom stepped forward ana preseh'eu
vrfar a
,tiIor a nerlcan1 Is stationed near, and squad
/ Is selected daily from Its members 10 su"4u '''
when Mr. De Puy.vho as Captain Davisons h,st
lieutenant. had been appointed NY sscor 1.bo We
wSre we we're allowed 10 pass on down winding
path to the rear where we were again s'oPpep "
ttI,ar,I who on recognizing my companion aIloWeu
ns 70 continue We stood a moment on The en-
~ ~ nrns1t tg @ land looked across the road which d.
,'Ides The prison from the lazeretto when almost
Instantly from every doorway there appeared d
eper Men women Eird among ang { theseves and
all pressed forward to the railing as they sa" Us
NOV said Mr De Puy. have you seen enough
How near do you care TO To go 20 ,be balcony u or viii
You look at them and talk 10 them from speak
For moment gathered my skirts together and
hesitated. | had on a blue linen lawn gown; ana
my companion suit OF white ducss; of Su'fky ay
right into their rooms and see that they are clean
and comfortable am not sfrsiadoG, dos-oy youI oi,r
clothes af,erward'
LAS we assembled the steps the women ran into
their rooms but stepped out and said.
Are you rriendsT Then ne added, Oh 1t Is the
Yes. we are friends The sehora wishes to visit
you: she would like 10 talk 20 you and help you II
she can VIII you not come out and see herv asked
Mr. De Puy IN Spanish
Instantly they crowded out on the balcony and
ouite close around us and must confess ! moved
closer 10 my guide until he laid his hand on my
arm assuringly, and said: Don't be alarmed. they
will not touch you. Now. what 90 you WISH 10 ASK
Ask II they are comfortable here and II they
have enough 10 eat 49,.
'Mucher. mucherr chorused several voices
meaning plenty. "a. - - -,
.. are you happy and contented? was the next
question Several shrugged their shoulders; theh
one voung girl said 81 yes. and an old woman
tho hrst Joints OF whose fingers had dropped on;
remarked our beds very comiortable WI
YOU come IN and seeT We examined every roon'
VI urere clean The beds comfortable ones OF
iron with springs the linen was snowy ghlJe.
rocking chair small charcoal stove ana taDie