Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-10-16
Home for Destitute Children.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
10 me CorpOrdtors and Friends Of The


10 me Corporations and Friends of III
Home.
Another year has passed and We come t,
present our report to you
1t may not be improbable to give pass
ing glance at what has been accomplished
IN the nine years since the organization o.
the Home. 1t w,nt into operation with
seven children. The number now average:
hlty. Seventy-one names were upon oul
list last year. The corporation then rented
a small house; it now owns brick building
aud ten acres of land. This building, which
at the time of its purchase, was considered
large, has become entirely too small to &C.
commodate the increasing family, and an
addition Of 70xi5 feet has been begun.
July and ground broken the first Gay of
August. This enlargement has been a
source OF great selicitude to the Board. 1t
was felt to be necessity This Home was
the only Protestant one IN the State, and it
proposed to provide for the destitute child
Zen of the State. None under two wears of
age were admitted, and still it was unable
to meet the demands upon it. The claims
Of the little ones-the infants-oi whom a
large number had sought admission during
the year-c0uld not be longer ignored. The
disadvantages under which the work was
carried on was great Too much praise
can hardly be given to the matron and other
Christian ladies who have worked 50 faith
fully and self-denyingly in the face Of 50
many difficulties
These considerations. with others, com
PEELED the Board to take some decided ac-
| ton in the matter, and the addition was de-
! termlned upon Some gentlemen of we'll
known lIberality had promised assistance.
and subscriptions are now being solicited
IN all parts OF the State. John p. Howard,
E-q OF New York, whose previous gifts TO
the Home, Its friends will remember has
kindly promised to defray one tenth of the
expense of the building. We trust that
before winter, the walls, at least. will be
Up, covered and pad for.
We have great cause for thaukfulnes- in
the general good health which has prevailed
among the children-there having been no
seTi- H. case OF illness during the year.
This has seemed the more remarkable. a
scarlet fever was very prevalent last winter
IA Burlington, and more or less throug hOut
the country
During the year y children have been re-
celved and l. have been provide with good.
Christian homes.
Perhaps it might add TO the interest
should some special eases be cited. One
little boy of American parentago was 50
abused hV MS father and step-mother, that
the authorities OF the town were obliged to
interfere. \ guardian was appointed and
the boy brought to the Home. Upon being
asked hy lady ii he liked living at the
Home, be replied with much earnestness
" gue,s do Inc poor little fellow was
iolruiiy bruised " hen he came and seemed
terrified when any one spoke 10 him. Going
10 his teacher one day he said You wont
let my papa get me will you?''
Another case which mas excited much
sympathy Is that OF little blind girl
Blindness seems burden enough, but blind
ness and poverty combined are almost too
much FOR frail child to bear Admission
10 a blind asylum has been secured tor her.
where she can be properly taught, and If
possible. fitted to care for herself.
Another case l. that of two American F.
children. whose parents were, at one tune.
Well-to d1-iaTmers. The mother died the faith /
er unfortunate in busineSs-lOst his proper
ty---his health failed, and he was unable to .
provide Tor his children. Utterly discourag
ed and cisheartened ne brought them T. the .
Home, saying a. he gave them up: d" They .
have been iil-treated, and have actually .
suffered for the neceSsaries of life in the
places where | have been obliged 10 leave
them
We might pa: before yoa other similar
cases had We time and you, patience
Children have been received during the
year from the following towns: Barre,
Barton, Bristol. Burlington, Ferrisburgh,
Guiliord, ilydepark. Johnson. Niddlebury,
Montpelier. P.ainteli, Rupert. Rutland,
Shoreham, Swant1n, 81. Adams, Nerscnnes.
Waterbury and Wiliiston.
Reports .fJm the children are generally
encouraging. Oue lady writes concerning
q child whum she has adopted " Ny little
Anna j. very well, and u great pet IN the
house. Sac i a very loving. atiectionate
chiid, ana a. bright a can be. We don't
KNOW hos We could live without her The
best reports come from the younger child
rem, showing most conclu>ively that our
great hopes lie IN the infants and very
httie ones.
We quote from an old lady's letter as an
work s)meJimes---we regret that We cannot
say alWays--receiyes from the irie uds
OF the chidrea The little grandchIid of
whom she spoke has been taken from the
Home By his father, after remaining with
Us year and half. She says We are
all delighted with the little fellows improve
meut. IL seems surprising that 80 young a
child should remember 50 much. lie sings
his little hymns ami seems quite happy.
shall ever feel grateful to you for yoar K nd I
iuteTos, in him, and should much ratb rr h, |
bad remained with yOu.
~ We have before incidentally r. marked. /
We have had during the year, inc st efficient /
helpers al the Home. and the children have
been well and wisely cared for and IL
stractei
We have to thank our irie1ds for their
subscriptions 10 the bdildin. fund, annual
expenses, as well rs for thest contributions
To the pleasure and improvement of the
children.
Packages Of clothing have been received
from Cambridge, Coventry, Chelsea, Plain
field, SaxtOn's River. Nergennes. Willston,
and Wa.hn-.ord
While the year has been one filled with
mercies, We have been called 10 mourn the
death of one Of our most active and earnest
county managers, Mrs L. q llinckley.
Although, We at this meeting miss her
lace which last year greeted Us, We would
ri Dlce that her work was 50 well done, and
that She Is reapng her reward
Oar thoughts also turn to Our faithful
county laburer, Mrs. Harriet NJ. DAVIS, who
one ear ago sat with US in counsel, AID
We cannot refrain from again recording orr
appreciation OF her lovely, Christian char
acter, and her untirlng interest il, the
Home. May lie u whose will We reveren,-
~ bow FIJI the vacant places, aud continue
to Us his blessing.
Respectfully submitted,