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214 . RINGKJØBING. Chap. XLIV.
the property of the commune, who, as in England, are
compelled to support their own poor.
It consists of a long one-storied building, divided
into good, airy, well-sized rooms, two beds in each. The
married people are not separated; in one chamber
lay an aged couple, whose united ages must have
amounted to well nigh two centuries, bedridden both,
on a sea of feather-beds, of exquisite cleanliness,
gradually burning out the remaining oil of their expiring
lamps together, side by side, the younger members of
the community attending to their wants and comforts;
but when then’ agony draws nigh they remove from
under their heads the “ feather ” pillow, otherwise their
death would be hard and their struggles long. Then
there was a work-room, where aged women were busy
spinning flax and carding wool; and the kitchen in
which they dine together—hi the morning, coffee and
bread and butter; for dinner, a soup and one dish of
meat; of an evening, tea and smør brod. A range of
hams him* round the ceiling beams. The workhouse
is not popular, and no one comes in unless quite obliged.
The inhabitants are allowed each Sunday four hours’
leave of absence, and generally, I am sorry to say—so
the superintendent told me—return intoxicated, not
with joy, but with liquor. And now, says the matron
(opening a door), here is the room in which we lay them
out when dead; see the trestles all ready—how very
nice !—everything so convenient.
I dare say you imagine we were eaten up with rats
at our old hotel. You are quite mistaken—not such a
thing to be met with in the country between Skjern-aa
and Stor-aa, if you hunt for ever; and I’ll tell you
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