The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-15
HOME FOR DESTITUTE CHILDREN.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
70 the COrpOratOrs ana Friends OF
the Home.

Another year has passed and we come to
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 of
the home. 1t went into operation with
seven children. The number now averages
fifty. Seventy-one names were upon our
list last year. The corporation then rented
a small house; it now owns brick building
and ten acres of land. This building, which
at the time of its purchase, was considered
large, has become entirely too small to ac-
commodate the increasing family, and an
addition of 7Ox45 feet has been begun.
Plans for this addition were matured in
July and ground broken the first day of
August. This enlargement has been a
source of great solicitude 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 chill
rem of the state. None under two years of
age were admitted, and still it was unable
to meet the demands upon it. The claims
of the little ones-the infants-of whom a
large number had sought admission during
the year-could 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 so faith
fully and self-denyingly in the face of so
many difficulties
These considerations, with others, com
PEELED the board to take some decided ac-
ton in the matter, and the addition was de-
termned upon. Some gentlemen of we'll
known liberality had promises assistance,
and subscriptions are now being solicited
in all parts of the state. John p. Howard,
ESQ.,, 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 paid for.
We have great cause for thankfulness in
the general good health which has prevailed
among the children-there having been no
serious case of illness during the year.
This has seem the more remarkable, as
scarlet fever was very prevalent last winter
| in Burlington, and more or less throughout
the country.
During the year 81 children have been re-
| ceved and II have been provided with good
christian homes.
Perhaps it might add to the interest
| should some special cases be cited. One
| little boy of American parentage was so
abused by his father and step-mother that
the authorities Of the town were obliged to
interfere. A guardian was appointed and
the boy brought to the home. Upon being
asked by lady if he liked living at the
home, he replied with much earnestness !:
:" | guess do" The poor little fellow was
fearfully bruised when he came and seemed
terrified when any one spoke TO him
| Going to his teacher one day he said :
you won't let my papa get me, will
you ?"
Another case which has excited much
sympathy, is that of a little blind girl.
Blindness seems burden enough, but blind
ness and poverty combined are almost too
much for a frail child to bear. Admission
to blind asylum has been secured for her,
where she can be properly taught, and II
possible, fitted to care for herself.
Another case is that of two American
children, whose parents were, at one time,
well-to.do farmers. The mother died, the
father unfortunate in business-lost his
property-his health failed and he was
unable to provide for his children. Utter
ly discouraged and disheartened he brought
them to the home, saying as he gave them
up: "They have been ill-treated, and
have actually suffered for the necessities of
life in the places where have been obliged
to leave them.'
We might put before you other similar
cases had we time and you patience.
Children have been received during the
year from the following towns Barre,
Barton, Bristol, Burlington, Ferrlsburgh,
Guilford, Hydepark, johnson, MlddleDury,
Montpelier, Plainield, Rupert, Rutland,
Shoreham, Swanton, st. Adams, Nergennes,
Waterbury and Williston.
Reports from the children are generally
encouraging. One lady writes concerning
a child whom she'has adopted. My LII e
Anna is very well, and great pet in the
house. She is vary loving, atfectlonate
child. and as bright as can he. We don't
know how we could live will out her." The
best reports come from the younger chill
dren. showing most conclusively that our
great hopes lie in the infants and very little
enc.
We quote from an old ladys letter as an
example of the appreciation which our
work sometlme-we regret that we cannot
saw always-reccives from the friends of
the children. The little grandchild OF
whom she spoke has been taken from the
home by his father, after remaining with
us a year and half. She says we are
ali delighted with the little fellow improve
ment. II seems surprising that so young a
child should remember so much. lie sings
his little hymns and seems quite happy, !
shall ever feel grateful to you for your kind