[Grappling with the Monster by T. S. Arthur]@TWC D-Link book
Grappling with the Monster

CHAPTER IX
24/41

The next morning, at about six, I was awakened by the clangor of a bell shaken by a vigorous arm.

Hurriedly dressing, I descended to the wash-room and performed my ablutions, and then waited for the next step.

Half an hour having elapsed, the bell was rung a second time, and we all entered what is called the service-room.
Shortly after Mr.Wilkins and his family entered; the superintendent read a chapter of the Bible, the inmates sung a hymn, accompanied on the organ by Miss Clara Wilkins; after a short prayer, the inmates marched in single file to the head of the room, where Mr.Wilkins stood, his kind face actually beaming, and with extended hand greeted every individual inmate.

After leaving him we marched to the other side of the room, where we also received a cheery 'good morning,' and cordial grasp of the hand from the estimable and motherly wife of the superintendent.
To describe one day is sufficient to picture the manner in which the inmates of the Home (and I sincerely believe that 'home' is the right designation for it) pass their time.

I have never felt happier or more contented even in my most prosperous days than I have in these few short days that I have been an inmate of the Washingtonian Home." In this institution, according to the last annual report, two thousand two hundred and fifty-two persons have been treated since it was opened.
Of these, one thousand one hundred and eighteen, or over sixty per cent., are said to have remained sober, or nearly so, up to this time.
During the last year two hundred and fifty-eight patients were under treatment (one-third free patients).


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