Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/207

Rh together the most miserable and neglected old people; after which, they went forth to beg for them. In almost every case, their experience was the same,—first derision, scorn, and opprobrium, then attention, admiration, and the most cheerful assistance. The huckster women in the markets considered it as a right that “the little sisters,” who were out collecting, should come to their stands, and if they passed without so doing, felt themselves ill-used. In many large houses and hotels, “the little sisters” were ordered to call on certain days in the week, to receive such provision as had been put aside for their old protegés. And the number of these, and the excellent places for their reception, increased everywhere; so also did the numbers of the “little sisters.” And there was need. The first had already broken down under the diseases which they had contracted in their life of fatigue and self-sacrifice. And the lives of “the little sisters” had unremitting and great trials, but neither money, nor rank, nor family circumstances, were required to give consequence to the order of “The Little Sisters of the Poor.” All that was wanted, was merely warm hearts, pious minds, willing hands, and good health. Many, therefore, came out of the homes of the poor themselves, from the crowded work-rooms of the needle-women, from the slippery saloons of the ballet, and from scenes more dangerous still, and became “little sisters of the poor,” and themselves began a new life, by assisting the aged to close their lives well. Young girls even came from the higher grades of society, to unite themselves to these other youthful servants of their Lord.