The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-02-18
MARGARET MERLYN.
WRITTEN FOR THE ST. CLOUD JOURNAL,
BY MRS. JANE G. SW1SSHELM.
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION.
The Ladies' North-American Arabia
Petrea Home for Destitute Women and
Orphan Children was founded by Mrs.
Mary Gray, a childless widow, who
bequeathed her homestead and two thou
sand year to the object. The Insti-
tuition was chartered, the property held
for its use by three male trustees, and
managed by society Of ladies and
gentlemen, who paid yearly subscrip-
tion Of one dollar each and signed the
constitution. Fifty dollars constituted
any one life member. Officers were
chosen annually, and each member was
entitled to a vote at their clections.-
The officers were President, Vice.
President, Secretary, Treasurer and
Board Of Managers, who appointed
housekeeping, executive aud other
committees. These officers were all
ladies. The property committed to
their care was fine suburban residence
Of an ordinary form, square building,
with an L, kitchen, hail and stairway
in the centre, drawing rom to the
right Of entrance, extending the whole
length Of the main building, which
faced the south. This room had two
freplaces, and between them large
bow window opening to the east. To
the left was dining room and pantry !;
up stairs were seven bed rooms and a
ball. The whole was elegantly finished
aud furnished, with portico front, and
porch back draped with vines and roses.
In front lawn sloped down to the
public highway, with fnc view Of
the lake. To the back were orchards
Of choice fruit, garden, a farm house,
barn and ell the usual buildings. There
were one dundr ed acres of land, fifty
under cultivation and all under good
fence.
The society encountered many diff
culties in getting started, as it was d.
vided into two parties, viz. Law and
Order and Weak Indulgence. Ths first
represented by Mrs. Paxton and her
sister, wished a model institution, a
pattern of order and cleanliness, and
found fault with the matrou when a
child left a refuse crust of bread on the
floor. This Peter had done, for Peter
was greedy boy, and though but two
years old insisted upon having a piece
in each hand. After Peters appetite
vas satisfied, crust remained, which
he carelessly threw upon the floor, as
he started on call fours' after a cot.
Mrs. Paxton found the crust, and
pointed it out to tie then matron, a re-
spectacle maiden lady of forty-fve, who
agreed with her that this was wrong,
and forbade the servant in charge
dispensing bread so iberally. The
very next day Peter gave contrary or
ders when his luncheon was offered and
insisted on : double allowance. The
matrou, finding him in possession, tried
moral suasion to induce him to resign
his ill.gotteu gain. 1t was all in vain.
Peter was obdurate as the son of an
Earl. He evidently considered posses
sion nine points in law, and held fast
to his bread. Rcsorting ito force, the
matron rescued it, and Peter remon.
strated by such fit Of passionate
screaming as was not to bo endured.
Matron felt that this rebellion must be
suppressed, or authority was ut nm end.
Still the customary punishment failed
to produce reformation. Peter grew
more noisy if possible the matron
more determined. Matters had become
serious. when lady manager, who had
left an only child at home, came upon
the scene. She said "Peter." Peter
ran to her and sobbed himself to sleep
in her arms.
This lady, Mrs. Mild may, represent
ed the other or Weak Indulgence party,
who wished to make tie place CORES.
pond to its name, home where health
and happiness were to be the principal
objects, and school . secondary con-
sideratiou. After Peters rescue, Weak
Indulgence triumphed, and held be,
place until Law and Order was reinforced
by Miss Ironton and three thousand
dollars at her disposal. Then tie bat
tie became doubtful. Nobody doubted
but that Mrs. Gray would have been
on the Weak Indulgence side, but he,
bequest was not dependent on such con