The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-04
Joy Gusts Sorrow as They
Hear That Separation
Is to End.
RY GEORGE sCoFIELD

Ell OEOhJE CCOr1ELD
AT the end of the road, the long,
dusty road,
There's peace, there's contentment
and rest"
A monograph in the sun parlor of
the county inhrmary played the
song writer's conception of happi-
ness.
A ring Of listeners sat there, some
smiling ironically, some tragicalIy,
some wistfully, some grimly, and
many not smiling at all.
The music ended, and a mans
choking sobs punctuated the sudden
hush that came when it was stilled.
AS though to blot out at once the
thought of grief, several rose to their
feet, to start the music again. This
time it was a gay, jazzy tune.
The sobs were drowned out, and
the ring settled back in their chairs
again in forced effort at gaiety.
Little Time Together
For it was the time in the after
noon when husbands and wives were
permitted TO be together-the only
time, and such f1eeting while it is
that they may see and talk to one
another.
Four couples live in the infirmary
they don't live as couples; each is
just another man or woman.
County commissioners Wednesday
launched move to construct pri-
vate cottages for the married un-
fortunates who must spend life's last
few years at the infirmary. The
county council will be asked to 9p-
propriate a sum for the building of
such cottages in the near future.
1t was to tell the couples of the
proposed step for their happiness
that The Times representative
visited the infirmary Thursday
afternoon
Tidings Gladly Received
The iidings were greeted joyously.
Three married couples who have
been separated by the regime at the
home for from two to fifteen years
told each other with their eyes how
glad they were-they have learned
to speak much with eyes.
1t was great piece of news, and
turned Gust another afternoon
into a joyous affair.
And then-the sohs again. A sud-
den hush fell and the couples, guilty
in their gaiety, looked shame-faced.
"Oh, that poor Mr.. Biggs," one
said. His wife is dying and he has
no one else in the world"
In little room only a few steps
away from the now silent phono-
graph, 75-year-old man, his hair
gray, his face wet with tears, sat by
the bed of a motionless, dying
woman.
Separated Two Years
The man was Harvey Biggs, ma
tive of Indiana and for eighteen
years resident of Indianapolis.
The woman, whose death is ex-
pected momentarily, was his wife,
Nancy, IA.
Separated virtually all the time
in their two years of life at the in
Urinary, they are together now con-
stantly.
But it isn't all tragedy at the in
Urinary.
Even now the three couples who
hope to be united by the county
commissions plan are specializing
eagerly on the building of the cot
tages.
why, it will be home, just like
our own home again." said Mrs.
John Tanner to her husband, with
pat on the hand. Sure will be
fine, hon." returned eyes that shone
in happy expectancy. The Tanners
have lived at the infirmary for
seventeen years.
The two other couples who look
forward eagerly to "home again"
are Mr.. and Mrs. John Robinson
and rTr. and Mrs. Harry Swift. Each
couple has lived at the infirmary
two years.
The commissioners sponsoring the
proposal are John Shearer, George
Snider and Charles o. Sutton.