DECKER'S. 13 



to be the favorite color. It was gratifying to 

 notice that none of them wore bangs or idiot 

 fringes, although they all had switches and 

 high projecting horn combs. We asked the 

 superintendent if the ladies were at all re- 

 strained in their liberty. '' Oh, no, " he replied, 

 *' they have certain hours of the day at this 

 season for a promenade upon the lawn, 

 although we require them to be regular at 

 their meals three times daily and to be always 

 within doors at night. In summer we are not 

 so strict ; in fact they then live most of the 

 time in the open air." 



^'Are they charity patients? "we asked, 

 ** or do they pay for their board and treat- 

 ment?" "It is true, " he answered, ''that 

 they do not come here of their own accord, 

 but I do not believe that they could have such 

 home comforts anywhere else. They like their 

 quarters and are willing to pay for them. 

 They do not pay in cash, but you observe that 

 each one has her reticule in which she brings 

 the proceeds of her day's work. We send it 

 down to New York and sell it there." " But I 

 do not see any gentlemen among them, " re- 

 marked my acquaintance. The superinten- 

 dent seemed somewhat confused as he replied 



