The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-23


is administered in the shape OF reprimands sus-
pensions from class, and degradation to a lower
moral standing. Thus all have learned to re-
spect and love Mr.. Barclay, and 1t is an affecting
sight to see the little lads cluster about him,
looking confidently for the smile and word of
praise and tender touch that always come Tor
good conduct.
benefit of Mr.. Jesse J. McKeevers conscientious
services as Superintendent of the White Depart
ment. His duties have been mutiform, and Oft
times perpeXing, but they have ever been DIS
charged with credit to himself and with adyan-
tage to the institution with which he has so
closely identified himself.
'Undcr Lock and Key"
Visitors are allowed to inspect the House of
Refuge or to visit their relatives there, ON Mon
day Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, and the
privilege was used by us to give our readers an
insight into the lives OF the boys and girls con-
The buildings are spacious well constructed,
and fre-proof Special attention has been given
to ventilation, and the various buildings look out
upon spacious courts. From the porter's lodge
lie visitor passes through one of the larger of
these court-yards and sees with astonished eyes
how picturesque blank brick walls can be made.
On either side tower up some fifty feet OF walls,
which are thickly oyergrown with green Ivy ana
moss Shrubbery, evergreens, and the broad
spreading trees of lighter foliage that seem to
love to overhang homesteads give an air of COM
fort; and altogether the conviction comes that
the lads of the House of Refuge certainly have
country.
feception-room, that contains II half-dOzen por-
traits of gentlemen worthy of more than pass
ing glance. One of these, showing the old-time
rutles, frills, and powdered bag wig, is of Fredc
rick Khone, German born, but so strongly in
huenced by the claims of his adopted country
rs to give 100000 to this institution. Near by
is John Wright a benevolent Englshman, who
bequeathed $S000. In near companionship, like
as they stood shoulder to shoulder in the Board
for years, are George w. Fobes and Isaac Col
Inns, formerly Treasurers, Thomas carp, who
was seventeen years Treasurer, seven years Vice
President and thirteen years President. and
James j. Barclay President, whose life we trust
may be long spared that he may carry on his
labor of love.
The workshops of the boys are in the upper
Stories of their buildings. Upon the broad win
dow sills at each landing of the stairs are seen
buckets of water, ready for use whenever neces-
sary; they have been useful heretofore in putting
out fires that young rascals have made, and as
human nature averages in some children, may
be again. 1t is pleasant sight to look upon the
youngsters deftly at work, eager to be through
their tasks that they may be off to the play
grounds. In one room the boys are making
scrubbing and backing brushes, and it is sur
prising to see the speed with which the tufts of
hair are fastened in their places. Again, we find
them pegging away at shoes, working as if for
dear lfe and turning out very good work, Ad-
Joining is q lot making match-boXes, which they
mould and paste together with wonderful eX-
pertness One little fellow, the prince of the
beehive, turns out twenty-five gross day. . In
all these departments the lads work for men
who have contracted to pay certain price for
each one, ranging from twenty to twenty-five
cents per day. Care is taken that their tasks
are not excessive and they unquestionably thrive
under the plan.
Unlocking the many bolts of a heavy door,
we pass into the girls department, which, it is
needless to say, is as securely shut out from the
boys as if it were on the other side of the
Schuylkill Here we catch a momentary sight
of q few scampering maids, barefooted, and
dressed in plain brown calico frocks. In the
school-room small class of shame-faced girls
join in singing a patriotic song and hymn
but, although it has been our lot as reporter tC
have seen all sorts of scenes, yet we are mos
glad to be rid of this entertainment. 1t is SAD
sight to see understanding girls, some of then
well-nigh the age of womanhood away from
the sanctities of home life and sadly conscious
Of the bitter fruits of their own indscretiOns.
The workrooms lie close by, and amid tho
clatter of many sewing machines are found the
workers. In the shoe shops expert fingers are
manipulating the upper feathers and fitting
them to be soled in the boys department. 1t is
pleasure to notice the healthful look of the
girls, and their modest department. Though the
feet may be bare, yet they are quietly hidden
beneath the gown; and when glance is caught
OF a rambling eye, the look is rs maidenlike as
that of their more fortunate sisters, and the long
lashes as coyly droop over. In this department,
rs in the Others, the inmates are divided into
classes and B, the former comprising those
under fifteen, the latter those over. A separate
class is also made of those who
have sinned more deeply, and great care is
taken that they may not contaminate the purer
girls The dormitories of the girls give some
pretty sights. They are built so as to be fire.
proof, and iron doors secure them from danger
from the adjoining rooms. A wide hall divides
these little bedrooms into two rows and there
are three stories of them. They are eight feet
long, about as high, and six feet wide, having
each window, and q ventilator at the ceiling
and near the floor. The attraction lies in the
decorations of prints fashion plates and scissor
clippings, hung upon the walls and strewn about
over the chair, and here the innate passion OF
the feminine heart for some kind of dnery finds
vent.
After a ramble through we-ordered dspensa-
rles Tor sick folks-ther only fault being the fact
OF their location directly under the roof and
their oppressive warmth during day time-wC
were back again in the boys department. Here
our own detention by locked doors led to a talk
with several lads, one of whom had been in the
House for three years
Being asked how he liked the place he said
with deep breath, very much like big sigh
NAh, sir, it's not good to be under lock and key.
Ihat little comment is Il much better index O
the complex feelings that stranger has in sucl
ramble than any proltX description could give
All that we spoke to Acknowledged their kinC
treatment and the good influences about them
and almost all were hearty looking, but yet the,
were as anxious to be in the world outside as tn
blrd that beats its wings against the iron bars o
its cage.
AT o'clock the boys were ready in singl
Tile, to march into the supper-room. AS ou
party passed down the line, we We're greete
with cries of 'No. TO-" "No. l." "Class c
Honor mo. g." and so past the sewers
hundred lads They evidently took pride j
holding a high number, and the good of thu
governing by moral power was apparent Som
had been in several years, and they were hone
enough to tell they had been detained for flgh