New-York tribune., 1902-05-27
WORK AMONG LEPERs.

The Rev. G J. H. Northcroft a T. S. S. mem
ber who has lived In the Bahamas for eleven
years as missionary Of the Wesleyan Methodist
Missionary Society of Great Britain. and who is
on his way TO England. gave some interesting facts
regarding the sponge divers and lepers OF Abaco
during his recent the office OF The Tribune
Sunshine Society.
There are only seven lepers Abaco. and most
OF them are young. While there is compulsory
segregation Of the people so afflicted, each lives
alone In an annex his her former home. which
is always built soon the disease is recog-
nized. A young boy, one of the number. amuses
himself by trapping and tanning birds, keeping them
for companions. A young woman who had been
pretty girl allowed Mr.. NOrthcroft to
her marred face. If she chanced to meet him she
always covered her head hastily with her apron
and fed from him. Beatrice Albury bright
girl of years when Mr.. Northcroft first knew
her. About three years ago she developed unmis-
taxable symptoms of the dread disease Her flesh
grew dark. and. is the way of the people her
father built her tiny home adjoining his own.
and there she lives and eats and sleeps alone.
doing her washing and caring in large
measure for herself. The girl Is devout Christian.
know her Much OF her time is spent in reading
the Bible and singing hymns
The lives of the people of Abaco dull and
dreary at best and for those who are sick the in
Bsh pTs aa SGd reading Is Mr. sa
would do much to brighten the days of those who
pate Hereditary taints and poor diet he " believes
to be the cause of the leprous cases in Abaco
Sponging, which formerly valuable industry
among the people, is at present at n low ebb. and
the manner of living is prOportionately poorer. The
crews go for the spOnges TO the Great Bahama
Banks. commonly known as the Mud" and the
vessels are away from home from five to eight
weeks at time. The loss of life considering the
perils of the voyages. is astonishingly small The
process of obtaining the sponges is simple. A
water glass, which Is simply pail with glass
bottom is inserted several inches in the water and
in the stern sculls another in the bow
OF the boat grasps the sponge with his long pole
hook, tears II from its mother rock and brings
II to the boat. The odor from the newly obtained
sponges Is offensive in the extreme, and would
drive the stoutest stomach to seasickness. The
sponges emptied from the boats into rudely
constructed kraals in the water. where they
left until they oenuded of their Shiny cover
ings and filings.
The Abaco woman pait hats of palmetto leaves
which first dried and bleached. They also do
exquisite drawn work and embroidery After q
good voyage. bright ribbons were always conspcu-
In Mr. Northcroft's congregation Weddings
and festival occasions apt to rival Turner's
in brilliancy of hue
The diet OF the people of Abaco comprises
potatoes. bananas and tho tropical fruits of the
Island. Coffee is very muoA used.
One OF the compensations of island life is the
kindness and generosity which are characteristics
OF its people. The island Is practically Methodist.
that church having sent the first missionaries
The pastors duties called him to the various keys
and settlements of the island. and much OF his
time was spent in the little boat which carried
m frOn