FALLEN ONES.

Their Retired Harbor on the Mission Hills.

A Glimpse in and About the Magdalen Asylum.

The Noble Work of Holy Sisters in a Grand Cause—The Cemetery—A Romance.

San Francisco Examiner, March 7, 1886

Just a quarter of a century since a number of Sisters formed the organization which is now one of the foremost charitable organizations in this city and has in charge the well-known Magdalen Asylum. The objects then, as now, were the protection of female virtue and the reformation of fallen girls. First located in a wing of the old St. Mary's Hospital on Stockton street, the good women began their work. Gradually winning its way, the benificence of its object forcing itself upon the community, more commodious quarters were soon found necessary. A building was erected in Hayes Valley, then a perfect wilderness, close by the present location of St. Ignatius College. Within a few months the demands upon the institution increased in such a deg ee that the erection of the spacious structure on the Mission hills was demanded.

It is a massive brick edifice, four stories in height, with wings jutting out on both sides. A high wall surrounds the building and extensive grounds. Entering the gates, the visitor stands in the midst of a beautiful garden regularly laid out and handsomely kept.

The asylum faces the west, and from the windows a splendid view of the city is obtained. The building is divided into three sections, the center portion being occupied by the Sisters, separating the Magdalens, or penitents, from the females committed to the Industrial School, each of which classes occupies an opposite wing.

This admirable arrangement was made for the special purpose of keeping apart the two classes whilst the work of reformation is going on. A girl lately committed never greets a Magdalen in any portion of the house. At the present time there are about two hundred young women in the asylum, of whom forty-five are in the Industrial School class and the remainder penitents.

In charge of this large number are fourteen Sisters, whose lives are devoted to the work of reform.

A glance into the Industrial School wards finds the victims of man's perfidy and their own evil passions passing through the first stages of the work for their deliverance. On once happy faces may be seen the effects of dissipation and the evil influences from which they have but lately been taken. The once pure eyes ever and anon bespeak the impurity of their thoughts. The waif raised in the slums of a great city sits side by side with their sisters in shame who had the advantage of education and happy associations in early life, but who listened to the tempter's voice. This picture of virtue's ruin once seen will live in the memory until the final call is heard.

Passing over into the Magdalens quarters the visitor can behold at once the grand work of noble women. The great change wrought comes like a revelation. Seated about on all sides the penitents are engaged at their various tasks. Their manner and very countenance evince that a revolution for the better has taken place. Christian influence has shown its powers.

There have been instances, however, when every effort to effect a reform have failed. Young women have been committed to the institution so lost to aIl sense of shame that the most rigid watch and constant endeavor has proved to be labor lost.

Parents, themselves, after consigning their wayward ones into the Sisters' care, have been the [?] to put the blocking stone in the way, by withdrawing them from the home ere the work has been finished.

It is a pleasure to chronicle, however, that the majority of the females who enter change so much for the better that they once more enter the ranks of virtuous womanhood. Every influence that Christianity can suggest is brought to bear on inmates to foster and strengthen the germ of good resolve. In addition to the moral training, the inmates receive proper instruction in the recognized branches of education. All modern appliances are at hand. At certain hours all are given lessons in sewing and other kinds of work, that they may be able to fight the battle of life when they once more are sent out into the world.

The condition of the dormitories is evidence of the success of the instructors in instilling habits of order and neatness. Attached to the dormitories are rooms where each girl performs her own washing and ironing and cares for her person. Ventilation is perfect and the healthful location of the asylum guarantees a bodily benefit to the Magdalens. The sanitary condition is at present first class. A visit to the chapel permits a glimpse into the infirmary. which has been constructed close by the little church in order to permit the sick to attend divine service when physically unable to rise from their couches.

The hospital is nearly arranged and kept in admirable condition. The house of God is a pretty picture. The windows of stained glass, with sacred representations, shed a subdued light on the interior. On the walls hang paintings of a sacred character. The ceiling is beautifully frescoed.

From the chapel the visitor steps into a long gallery. At one end is a magnificent group of figures forming the grand scene of the Redemption. Passing along the Sister guide will point out several old and infirm females, who are maintained by the charity of the institution. Several are imbeciles and one or two partially paralyzed, Several of the young girl inmates are also in a weak mental condition, but are made cheerful and useful in various ways. Two of the afflicted Magdalen have formed a most striking attachment for each other. From the very moment they met their enfeebled intellects seemed to grasp the fact that a kindred spirit existed between them. Apart, the unfortunates are perfectly miserable: together, they are ecstatic.

A singular old woman is one employee in the kitchen, who at times will respond to the name of Polly and again only to that of Bridget. At the present time she is thoroughly unhappy, as a favorite Sister to whom she was greatly attached has left the asylum. She is very ambitious and desirous of obtaining the badge with which the inmates are adorned from time to time.

It was stated by one of the Sisters that many of the girls committed desire to remain in the institution after their time has expired.

The dress of the Magdalens does not differ in any great degree from the Industrial School class. When their conduct entitles them to it, however, badges are conferred, which give the wearers special distinction. The first awarded is a badge of blue, which is worn six months or a year, then a brown one and next a black. The fourth, a black cape, is worn for about two years, when the final mark of favor, a simple cord, is worn. Little black caps are also given, and frequently a black dress.

Those of the inmates who have decided to remain for life have a special dining-room and enjoy the full confidence of the Sisters. They do up the finest of embroidery, some of the specimens of which, at a short distance, present the appearance of a fine painting.

Turning away from the asylum and passing back toward the east, in a retired spot away from the bustle and turmoil, one comes on the little cemetery. The silent home of the dead is a sad and dreary picture. The plain wooden crosses, stained and weather-beaten, arise from the little mounds and stand, sentinel-like. over the sleeping forms whose last resting place they mark. Even here the distinection between the Sisters and Magdalens is marked, each being laid away in a different portion of the graveyard. To one side stands a small mortuary chapel.

A romance attaches to nearly all those who sleep beneath the daisies, but one is especially interesting. The story runs that an Italian Lady of high birth, accomplished, gifted and beautiful, was desirous of taking vows, but found it impossible. Through her immense wealth, however, she was enabled to alleviate much distress in the world. After several years of traveling the lady took up her permanent residence in Mexico.

While on the street one day she met a little flower girl, whose face and form were both striking in their perfect beauty. Struck with the maiden's ravishing loveliness, the lady questioned her and found to her horror that the child's home was not of nature to strengthen her virtue. The pure woman succeeded in winning the young girl's sympathy and confidence. For several years the little flower girl remained under the protection of her benefactress, blossoming forth into one of the fairest creatures on God’s Earth.

But temptation came. A villain won her love, and one night she fled, leaving not a word of explanation. Three years after the noble Italian woman again met her protegee a crushed and soiled woman. It was the old story of love betrayed. The lady once more took he to her heart, and being en route to California, the fallen girl accompanied her. While in this city the young woman heard of the Magdalen Asylum and petitioned that she might enter. Her wish was acceded to and from the moment of passing into the asylum until the day of her death the repentant Magdalen’s life was one of entire devotion to duty. Her end was peaceful and serene. The noble Italian woman, dying a few years later, expressed a last wish to be buried near her protegee. Her request was compiled with, and the savior and saved sleep side by side in the asylum graveyard.