New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-27
A CHARACTER SKETCH.
HOW A QUIET WOMAN ACCoMPLIsHEs
GREAT DEEDS.
THE WIFE OF SING SINGS WARDEN is AN ANGEL
OF MERCY TO PRISONERS SUFFERING
AND DYING.

Strange and sad incidents come almost daily to
the notice of Mrs. O. " Sage. who is the wife OF
the warden of Sing Sing. Her many deeds OF
kindness have endeared her to the unfortunates
who are in the prison. and sincere regrets are
pressed by women all sides at her proposed
departure which will be soon If her husband gives
up his position warden in May. is reported.
When Maria Barberi was taken to Sing Sing the
mother heart of Mrs. Sage went out to her. Day
after day she taught her to speak and understand
English, to read and write. and long had the
girls whole confidence. Mrs Sage also took the
deepest interest in the welfare OF the whole family
caring for them when they visited the girl, and
going to them In their poor home
When Mrs. Place arrived at Sing Sing Mrs Sage
began again her mission Of love-" said woman
who is admirer Of Mrs. Sages unselhsh work
II know for a fact that the practical comfort and
help she rendered TO that unfortunate woman
beyond doubt one Of the chief influences that made
so marked a change in her and enabled her to
go so calmly and almost happily to the chair. 1t
was pathetic to see how the poor thing chung to
Mrs. Sage, almost like child and how contentedly
she would yield to her advice. Not only In the
daytime, but through troubled nights Mrs Sage
was at her side and in the last dread procession
Mrs. Place took comfort from the knowledge that
while she leaned for support the warden's
arm she had this sympathetic woman close at
her side.
1T must not be thought that Mrs sages inhu-
ence was gained over this prisoner by condoning
with her or plying her a much-njured mortal
No one could have spoken palmer or straghter
words Of reproof and warning than Mrs. Sage did
I'm the prison hospital among the sick, Mrs.
Sage was 4 welcome visitor. Any little
deicacy the doctor allowed to the dying she would
get for them, and was often the means OF bringing
TO them in their last hours friends who had been
estranged There was one most pitiful case.
young man was in the hospital as consumptive
She learned from him his story, and that the one
longing Of his heart was to see his mother and
TO be forgiven by her. Mrs. Sage wrote several
times 10 the mother, but alas, without the desired
result The woman would not come to see him.
writing only scant line of forgiveness, with no
word or message of mother love. He was an
earnest Christian member Of the Volunteers Prison
League. and hence had the friendship Of Mrs
Darlington Booth, but otherwise he was friendless
AS death drew Mrs. Sage often by his
told him that when he felt death coming, be 1t
by day or night he was TO send for her, and she
would gladly come
When the last struggle began. he scarcely
able TO speak. but the watchers heard him gasp.
Mother, Mother!' AS memory returned he
whispered with eager emphasis. Mrs. Sager 1t
was o'clock in the morning when they aroused
her, but she responded at TO the call, and
sat with him until the last
Her kindly influence within the prison walls
has not been ALL her sympathy and helpfulness
have extended beyond these limits following the
anxietes and the thoughts of the prisoners 10
the homes saddened and Swallowed by their
absence"