Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-11-18

Soon after the close of the last year
another eating establishment was opened,
only about two squares distant, in which a
greater variety of food was offered, at
nearly the same prices as those charged
here This has served to draw away part
of the custom given last year to the Inn
but the careful and systematic management
of Mr.. and Mrs Bloudel has more than
made up the reduction in the receipts. The
Treasurer's Report will show the amounts
received and expended during the past
year; the smallest monthly receipt being
in December, and the largest in May. The
receipts for March, April May, June, and
July, varied less than ten dollars.
In the month of November it was thought
advisable to fit up the small rooms in the
second story, and the large room in the
third story, with beds for lodgers, the for
mer at twenty-five cents a night and the
latter at twenty cents night. This was
not fully accomplished, however, till Feb
ruary, since which time six hundred and
eighty four lodgers have been accommoda-
ted. Among these dodgers, we have felt
that the work for which the Inn was
opened has succeeded in good degree.
From several instances which have come
under our notice we select the following, as
showing how the little Holly Tree Inn, with
| its friendly Superintendent and his wife,
has proved temporary refuge from the
snares of the cheap clearinghouse, till
those who needed its bonely protection
could provide themselves with suitable
homes What might be its powers of good
if conducted upon an enlarged scale and
with greater conveniences A man from
New Brunswick came to Wilmington in
search of shoe making, which he succeeded
in obtaining, both for himself and his son,
and both remained at the Inn till they could
establish themselves in a permanent home.
While here, strangers in q strange city, af-
| ter their days labor was over, they could
entertain themselves in the reading room
with the books and magazines kindly con-
tributed by some of the friends of the In
stitution.
Again, couple of lads about fifteen
| years old for several months were in the
habit of coming from Philadelphia, every
Tuesday and Friday, with thread, buttons
and notions, which they sold in the market.
They came to the Inn regularly. had their
| supper, passed the evening in the reading
room, went to bed ut the proper time, aud
| early in the morning were at their stand,
selling their wares. How secure their
mother in Philadelphia must have felt that
| there was place of such safety open to
them, out of the way of temptation
Still another want is met by the Holly.
Tree Inn Some of those who attend mar
ket wish to bring their young daughters
with them, but do not wish them to remain
all the time with the wagons. These come
to the Inn, and entertain themselves in the
reading-room till their parents come for
them, and some of these parents, and 9th.
ers who bring marketing to the city, praise
| repeatedly the fragrant hot tea and coffee,
with which they often refresh themselves.
We wish to show, while relating these
examples of the Inns usefulness, that not
only does it furnish wholesome, palatable
food and drink, as a substitute for what is
unwholesome and Intoxicating but en-
deavors to provide interesting and instruc-
tive reading, to entertain those visiting it
in such home-ike manner that they may
not wish to seek amusement elsewhere
In closing, we would earnestly appeal to
the stock holders and others interested to
hold up our hands in the good work we
have 80 successfully undertaken, both by
providing the means necessary to carry it
on, and even enable us to enlarge it, and,
also, if they have books and magazines for
which they have no more use, to contribute
them to replace those worn out in our
Reading Room.
A. L. CoNANT, Secretary.
1t'easurer's Report for the year ending Oct
18th, 1876.
Bal. on hand from last year. ... 70.81
Reed from restaurant. t............ 1720.73
% subscriptions. ........ 1923 90
" other sources. w $500
Total Observation-Disclosures. 2,9O9 "a
Expended for Interest and Insur-
ance ...................... sos 65
Expended for Restaurant. ....... 2,O26. SO
Total ........... ...... 2,725. OC
| RaIance on hand 919A "a
G. w. STONE, Treasurer.