Arizona republican., 1900-07-11
WHERE LUNATICS LIVE.


 We visited the lunatics, numbering ninety-five, confined in another build ing, where the same conditions exist as in similar institutions in other coun- tries, save, that here are wanting, al most entirely, arrangements for proper care and attention. We wondered if it was possible to do anything to better the mental condition of human beings, who seemed to be herded together like animals, with little attention given to the simplest sanitary rules, either in individuals or their surroundings.
 The poor-house. poor indeed, next claimed our attention. Here we found 211 men, women, and children. Many were physical wrecks, none were clothed with any degree of comfort, many having on a single garment, others looking like bundles of old rags. They stretched out their bony dirty ringers. as We passed along, begging for aims in the name of the Virgin Mary
 Had they been reasonably clean we might have considered their condition better than on the street As it was. it seemed that there was more tempta- tion to vice and less comfort than had they been begging on street corners and in front of church entrances.
 DOOMED BEFORE BIRTH.
 Passing on, we entered the ward for poor. sick children, most of them in- curables. Here were babies of a few days, and others of a few weeks Of age, and boys and girls of 10 and i2 years. These are the children who have no place in the world, and many indeed are they in this city. As well as DOS slple, under discouraging conditions, these children are taken care of. Now ana then lovely face will be found among them, unmarked by disease, and very attractive in every respect I was apout to put my hand on the head of a. prlSht little boy of seven years who mad a lace the angels might envy. and whose great brown eyes had wistfully followed us as we went through the ward, when the doctor said sharply, INdont.' He then unfastened the little garment over the breast. my hand dropped to my side, as we saw exposed the evidences that he was under the curse of that disease which never re- linguishes it's hold until the death of the victim is accomplished Poor little ones, born of sin and disease. doomed before birth to months or years of suf- terlng. Oh, the pity of it,
 WHY NOT?
 Seeing the intense suffering of some. which would end only in death I said
 Doctor. why would it not be 1nersiful to put them to sleep?" He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and replied. It would be better, but - l under stood him.
 | The last place visited was the crph- ans and foundlings' home, in which wc; found seventy-five little girls of vari- Ous ages. All were clean, well clothed, | the school room and dormitory were bright and clean. comparing not un- | favorably with like institutions in our own country, and the children seemed ] happy.
 Among these different classes of un- fortunates are twelve resident sisters of charity, who are here. there, anu | everywhere. Clothed in white, with kindly. placid faces, they minister to the suffering and speak cheerful words to each The mother superior. who told | us she she had been in charge twelve years, had a face in a thousand, strong and resolute, with d light upon it that spoke for the spirit within. We asked her how she could endure to spend her l life among such scenes. We were about | leaving, and, without a word, she took my hand in hers and led us into a tiny chapel hung in white.
 THE SISTERS ANSWER. ! The altar was strewn with flowers, on one side hung picture of Our Mother of Sorrows" and near it hung one of 1 ''The Good Shepherd" to which she pointed, and our question was an swer ed. We stood by her side mo- ment, looking into the face of the Good Shepherd and the contrast with all We l had seen and felt during the two hours before was such that hush fell upon us and in thought we were transported beyond the clouds.
 A moment later the great doors banged behind us. We passed into the fresh air and sunshine, in silence, and with thankful hearts for the blessings which crowned our own lives, while each felt that within was the greatest aggregation of misery we had ever seen, which was relieved only by the self denial and patient endurance of d handful of women who had conse- crated their lives to willing service for others and who would never turn back, but go calmly on in their chosen work until from age or weakness they are forced to give it into other hands.