Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-11-26
I'll / srellaneou 8.
Life at the Five PO intS.
THE HALF ORPHANS.

This term is generally applied to children
who have los, either father or mother, by
death, and there are some very excellent char
table institutions in this City where such chill
dren are taken in and provided for in infancy,
and assisted to good situations 10 youth, so
that they may not grow up. as such numbers
do, to be mere vagabonds, uncared for by ev-
cry body, almost hated by all. friends to no one,
perfect lshmaeIites.
Orphans, according to Webster. are chill
dren who are bereaved of parents. "Bereau-
ed Deprived of, stripped and left destitute" "
Then we have great many orphans who
are not made SO by death. They are depriv-
ed OF parents, stripped and left destitute.
more than if father and mother, or either of
them were dead, for then some Of our great
and good charitable institutions would receive
them with open arms.
The most destitute orphans are those who
are bereaved Of parents by the licensed or
phan maker-the rumseller-of this city.
Perhaps the most proper title for these would
be "half orphans" for such they really are.
OF two of these, we have a little story.
Only in one circumstance is it different from
a thousand others. Happily for this class
half orphans, there is one institution where
they find home-where no questions are
asked what made them so: only "are you
destitute ?-then come and share the food
and shelter prepared hv those
"who have heart to feel for other woes"
During one Of our visits to this institution,
while sitting with the family of the Superin-
tendant. couple of beautiful little haxen
haired girls, perhaps four and six years old,
came running into the parlor TO kiss Mrs.
Pease, and say good night Three years ago,
such scene, in this room would have been
the eighth wonder Of the world. Then il was
the home Of the filthy, wretched. vicious and
miserable, where halt orphans were made
now it is the home of peace. hope, love and
charity, to the bereaved and destitute.
We were interested at once in these sweet
little children, and inquired chow came they
here-who are they-where from? for evi'
'lenty thy are not of the ordinary Five
Points cls."
II can tell you nothing about ihem." said
Mr.. Pease "or very little. A few days age
the door keeper came up very early one NOR
ming and two gentleman wished to see me
One was so in dress and address: the othel
only the latter. His face and clothes told o
what makes orphans.
Sir" said the first, II have lately read
some highly interesting stories, published il
the Tribune in which for the first time
have learned of the existancs of the Fiy,
Points House of Industry, and its beuevOlen
objects, and we have called TO make som,
personal inquiry. This gentleman has neec
of some assistance"
"What is the case?"
81 have" said he 1.-TWO little girls, VIII
have no mother two take care of them; and
might say no father" said he aside, as h,
turned away to wipe away an unbdden tear
81 cannot tell you the whole story"
"You need not We never inquire in thi
house about the past. No one is allowed tt
inquire what an inmate has been only wha
they may be- To reform those who hav'
been bad, the past must be forgotten. w
hope all who enter here. begin new lffe."
"Ohl" said he, "what blessed idea. If
could only forget the past-the time when
was Broadway merchant. and drank m,
bottle of wine at dinner-when lived in al
the domestic felicity Of a happy home, with
virtuous wife and two sweet chdren. l nigh
forget that have no home now, that | An
bid by my unpaid landlady, to take my brai'
away-that must clear out this very day
tha can never have another mouthfu in he
1 house, Oh can ever forget that 1 hav
fallen so low as to beg charity for my wors
than motherless children %
"Then their mother is living!"
Il do not know. have not seen her Tor
year. have heard of her not long ago. bu
}. she is not fit 10 be = mother to two such chi