New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-08-11
NOT TO BE SEPARATED.
MR. FOLKS TO ARRANGE FOR AGED
ALMSHOUSE COUPLES TO LIVE
TOGETHER.
TOGETHER

Mother and me have been married ffty-two
years. and twould be heaven on earth If we could
live together again." said an old man in the Aims
house, as he stroked his wifes snowy hair
90 'Twould be something like home then. wouldn't
#. father" replied the old woman. with her eyes
fun Of tears
William and Eliza Byrne. the speakers. are ma
tives Of Dublin, bur away together from Ire
land when she was fifteen and he twenty-three.
There has been touch of romance in their his
tory. When they fed TO this country Mary LETT a
lover TO whom she was betrothed- Notwithstand-
ing her hckleness q tender friendship existed be-
tween him. her and her husband until the mans
death. After williams and Elizas only son. their
support was killed by trolley car some years ago,
the son Of the old lover kept the wolf from the
door and the old people from public charity until
be- too, died. Tic douloureux is Fliza's only enemy
and at present she is in a hospital ward sunerlns
with il William takes full advantage Of the per
mission to visit her three times day and stay as
long as he likes, and is her faithful attendant
Ever since Homer X Folks has been Commits
souer Of Charities the separation Of old couples in
ne 4lr1shouse has been receiving attention from
him and The fitting OF e the small unoccu-
pied houses fcr such cases will probably soon be
added 10 the list Of innovations instituted by him.
We are aiming" he said yesterday, TO give
individual care and reach individual needs II
there are Instances il which aged couples are de
tered from going 10 the Almshouse because they
will be separated there, VIII endeavor to ma Ike
arrangements SO that they may have quarters To-
gether."
TwENTY-THREE HUNDRED INMATES.
The population Of the Almshouse IS 1850. OF the
number there are only seven married couples ahc
among them there are only three husbands and
wives II is claimed, who care 70 live tosethef Il
the majority Of the relief from the cat anu
dog life which they nave spent outside Is one o.
the advantages that husbands and wives mo tAele-
Those TO whom tle separation j. apt to come hard-
est are tie state aliens" persons VINO nave not
had sufficiently long residence in the city to ehut4e
them municipal care. and VINO, penang Iie &c
cision Of The STATE Aid Society, are sent 10 the
Almsh0use. Often they are victims Of Hll5ioF tune
from illness lack Of work, etc, and are only tenn
pOrar-ly dependent.
Nj aua Mrs. Frank Wonlrab, who nave been
married over forty years. newcomers at I4ie
island, ard when they are not at Work are con
staIty together. They are q quaint pali--he III
his white il fitting linen suit and big stTa" nat
and she IA her uEroued blue and "1-le sNe''s1-H
dress and sun5onaet. They came from Bohe1N'd
and faces and manners bear the stamp Oh the
thrifty, intelligent working class. When they were
asked if they would be together. their races
lighted, and the old said: Sure, we IKE 10 De
together" The Official wanted TO kno" Il lH7S
ever guarrelIed and they laughed. '" make no
fight, neL and me Wes the answer dS Il-!
looked into each others eyes They nave TOUR
children, all Of wnom claim TO be poor and 70 nave
large iaralIies : daughter took them 10 the
island. As she parted from them her IaIheF eS-
sayed 70 kiss her. but she waved him away WITH
a careless .Ach, never mind taaL" When they
were seen yesterday, both were OF a mind to re-
turn 70 their children. They must take care Of
Us" said the old
DEVOTED PAIR
Mr and Mrs Michael Joyce are the third pair.
Their devotion TO each other IS pathetic Al
orange. bit Of candy or sugar or other dainty
which fails 70 the one is always saved for the
ether ."Twouid be q fine thing if Michael and
ne could be together" said the aged woman
Sure. I'd be willing TO 20 with half me keep
Thank Cod, I've got children ana IKE as
not he'll be IN the poOrhouse yet Whiie ms chi-
oren enjoying themselves outside are eA-
pressions often heard at the island. They are sad
commentaries 0 human selhshness ana lnsFau-
tude. Many an aged man and woman who should
be cared for by their children in coEnfoTtapIe MONIES
woman hose head s. bowed with Soto" was seen
telling her beads one of the paIcoIllesi We
widow and sacrificed every tnlns 70 ill., nd
SOL a priest. But NJ chose anotner Gaming anu
married His wife couldn't be bothered with the
oQ woman"
After she had been in the Almshouse for several
years, IL was discovered that a sweet raced;
gentle little woman was the mother or the hean
OF a city department She had brought up a, laIkt
Of use the shelter OF a home was refused TO her.
As a result Of official vigilance and pressure this MS
nan was compelled TO pay ~ bo,Sse week LOT i'o
DEVOTED TILL THE LAST.
The more attractive feature of children's sacrf-
fee for parents is also found at the island A mid
die aged woman one Of the queer characters,
with just enough to enable her 10 work. sup
ported her mother for but finally had TO take
ssgulsrly and took her fruit and dainties- Wher