New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-26
Gray Are Its Buildings,
Gray Its Sea Wall, Gray
Even Its Birds.
LONE PATIENT IS
FAR FROM MERRY
With Whole Isle to Himself and
a Score to Attend Hin He
Yearns for Liberty.

Nurse. what is the color Of the SIX,
to-day"
Gray" said the white CARRIED nurse
"And gray are these buildings. and the
sea walls, for | saw them when ! was
brought over here on the boat five days
ago Everything is gray here-eyen the
birds But | like them-the gulls. They
have a sad cry. And my heart is gray
and sad to-day"
BE quiet now. You are getting along.
In three weeks you will be able to walk
TO the boat; then you can rejoin your
friends
"Ah, yes, my friends. In Italy to-day
they are merry. They are drinking wine.
| am sad, and alone in this gray island -
Here, you must not excite yourself
Here comes DR.. Menges."
The patient, Giovanni Capriola, an
Italian Of thirty-hve, nodded smilingly toI
the doctor, the physician in charge OF
Swinburne Island. where immigrantsl
suffering from contagious diseases ara
taken from incoming vessels for treat
ment.
"A merry Christmas TO my only pa
tient." greeted Or. Menges.
Thank you The same TO you. ] would
like it 10 snow Then it would be Ike
merry Christmas ] spent here four
years ago with my wife and ny little
ones: or | would like 1t TO be sunny
day. II is always sunny in Italy
Here. you must cheer Up. II you were
little better. If you had come hers a.
week earlier. We would have Christmas
tree for you, and some entertainment
But
Pardon, doctor, but could l have just
little wine to-day? Some wine from
Italy. Red wine, red like the berries
on the holly i'm the window
Later. but not to-day. Wine isn't
good for a spinal meningitis patient, bat
you will have some mutton broth and
milk. When you are convalescing Or
OConnell intends TO give you real
Christmas dinner You will be we'll be-
fore the holiday season is over
You are all so kind over here, and
the nurses are gentle, like the nuns who
taught me long ago. [ suppose 1 should
be happy. with all this island 10 myself
and two doctors four nurses and ! dor
know how many others attending upon
me. all so kind, but I don't like the color
OF mutton broth. II is gray. All, now
feel happy You and the nurse are lauSh-
ing | have made a joke.
Yes" answered the physician, every
thing now looks gray to YOU but every
thing will he sunny in three weeks, for
then you can join your friends
Il wish they would permit visitors
here"
II they did. they would have to STAY
here We have to stay here for six DAYS
ard six nights AZ time. Aid then We
must be fumieated before We are allowed
I, take tho boat IN Staten Island"
Yes doctor. / know Fumsatei. fl'r.'
gated. Fumaro in Italian means to smoke
wish ! could smoke
Later on. Then We will Sc that yo'
get a big cigar. Here comes your nurse
with your dinner now
Gray mutton broth, But soon ] 'ah
have chicken. tho nurse told m" TINS
morning. | am now contented. II Is hap
pier TO know that | am the only patlen;
here. II the place was filled there "oli"
bo gray mutton broth for forty-elg"'
Wouldn't there: Again YOU laugh. nave
made a joke again. Now do feel hapnl'
When Giovanni Caprola Is IN condiuGn
TO eat a big dinner Or. Joseph . Conner,
the Health officer OF the Port. WHO'S
ward Capriola is. has planned To give h''"
a dinner Of his own liking 49,. ~.
And lost any one should tnlnh i'At ~.
o','onnsll or any Of his aids violates IN"
law which prohibits the giving Of naine'
OF patients suffering fr"m contaSlo.s n.s
case let IL he explained that giovanni
Eanrlnla is Italian Tor IOhn Dno.