Wheeling Register

A Tombs Character.

The female department of the Tombs has for nearly forty years been under the care of a matron whose executive powers and general ability have rendered her of great value. Flora Foster, indeed, is the most interesting character connected with the institution. She bears her prison life remarkably well, coming in the morning and remaining all day, and then departing to her home at night. This mode of life has been maintained with hardly the loss of a week, and now, notwithstanding her age, she is still prompt in all her duties. Flora has a kind, motherly aspect, but her decision of character is intense, and her orders are beyond appeal.

On one occasion I noticed, while in her office, a girl who had been arrested for pocket-picking, and who, as a favor, was allowed an interview with her pal. The latter, while talking, uttered an oath, which, though spoken in a low tone, was generally audible. "Leave the room, sir," was the matron's command, and the fellow knew he must obey. The girl began to expostulate in a rather impudent tone, and her reply was, "Hush, or I will lock you up." The impudence continued hardly a minute longer, when the quiet voice of the matron gave the command, "Lock her up."

As this was done Flora turned to me and said, "That young woman is a professional pickpocket, and should be sent to State prison, but after being here a few weeks she will be released and go on robbing the public, while these poor creatures that are driven here by misery will be sent to Blackwell's Island for six months."

It is remarkable after spending a lifetime among the outcasts of society the matron at the Tombs should have such a home look of quiet and domestic character. There must be a fountain of in-dwelling love which even such associations cannot destroy, and it is this that renders Flora Foster so peculiarly adapted to her place.