Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-02-27
The Soldiers Orphans.
A PLAY SPELL WITH THE LEGISLATORS rEs
TERDAY.

TERDAY.
The standing committees on Soldiers
orphans from both kouscs visited the
Soldiers Orphans Homc, at Winona,
yesterday. The party was composed
Of Representatives Castle, Barto, Will
listoa, Schnell and Terrill, and Scna-
tors Hutc hins Talbot and white, and
the Press representative. The party
went down Friday evening, .eaching
Winona about one o'clock, and took
rooms at the Huff House. After
breakfast the party went over to the
Home. Here they found that Repre-.
sentative Barto had stole a march on
the rest, and had already ingratiatcd
himself into the affections the little
people. He was discovered iu the
play room, acting as floor manager, to
an impromptu dance, and singing
!" Johnny O'Brown" melodiously. The
party Was met by the natron, Mrs.
kempton, and escorted over the new
building, which they found in all re.
spects convenient and comfortable, and
scrupulously neat. There were no
formal ceremonies-it was = double
holiday-it was the birthday of Wash
ington, and visiting day by the Legis-
lsture. So the honorable gentlcmcn
were boys again" for the dance, and
Joined in the Juvenile pastimes with
the greatest zest. Another dance was
organized, and afterward Captain silas
Foreman, Thirteen ordered his CON-
mand Of 73 into line, and went through
with number Of graceful and wonder
full evolutions. Girls as we'll as bows
took part in these exercises, and all
manifested ready obedience to the
command Of Drill Master Foreman,
who had complete knowledge Of mill
tary tactics. Drill over, little in
formal speech making followed, acco,a-
panied with musical exercises. The
speeches were delivered. on the part of
the visitors, by Messrs. Talbot and
Williston, and responded to on the part
Of the hosts by Mr.. Speaker Gordon
Item The party accepted an invitation
to dine at the & Home," aud was served
with a most excellent repast. Then
followed social chats, a little more
romping, and a final adjournment to
the hotel and train.
The Home contains at present %
inmates, from two years to fifteen, all,
with one exception, unusually bright
and intelligent children. The children
! attend the model department of the
Normal School; and are said to be
making very rapid progress. They are
all ,happy-faccd, and expressed the
greatest love for their matron, and
content in their home. Every one
questioned upon the subject declared
decided inclination t. remain at the
Home rather than to enter any family.
The establishment is perfect home in
every sense. II is governed by love
and knowledge Of tho ways Of chill
dren, rather than by rule, and the lit;
tie folks are perfectly happy. They
have their study hours and separate
apartments therefor, aud hours and
rooms for play, where they conduct
themselves as they desire, being only
restrained from mischief. The girls
arc all dressed alike, in pretty suits Of
red and white plaid, and tho bows are
clad in suit Of gray cloth. Each
boy is also provided with an army-blue
over.cape, adorned with the regulation
button. As a somewhat remarkable
instance, it may bo we'll to state that
while commodious apartments have
been provided for the hospital depart
msnt, they have not, as yet had a single
occupant The children are robust
and rosy checked, and possessed Of
healthy oppctites. The visitors. in
consideration Of tho day, donated a
purse of $1,000 as a fund for contec-
tions and cakes for a grand banquet
in the evening, and regretted very
much that they were obliged to refuse
the pressing invitations to remain and
participate in the festivities Of that oc-
casion. They came home about nine
o'clock last night.-St. Paul I'res. 2:3,d.