The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-22
NO.


geriy looking round for some one to share
her pleasure. Among the orphans are fou,
little Swiss children, whose mother was ac-
cidentally burned to death soon after reaching
this country, and the father, poor emil
grant, hardly able to speak word of Eng
lish, was utterly despairing in his grief and
and poverty, The board made an exception
in admitting his four little girls from eight
months to eight years old, children having
fathers alive being usually refused, and the
youngest OF the children, now grown to be a
fine girl, was conspicuously merry over her
toys, as she marched around the hall clasp
ing her treasures tightly to her breast. The
behaviour of the children was perfect, and
showed admirable training.
After the gifts were distributed, they
were left to enjoy themselves as they liked,
no one checking their liveiness and mrth.
The large girls carried their presents to the
lady visitors to look at, or gathered in
groups comparing them, trying new scizzors
and pen-knives, counting packages OF
stationery, ETC., while the little ones instant.
~ set to work making baby houses on the
benches, small chairs for big dolls, long ba =
bies sticking stiff legs out Of short cradles,
bowls and pitchers out of all proportion to
| the tables they sat upon. fine ladies in silk
and lace presiding over tin kitchens, with
other little incongruities of size and style,
which seemed to increase rather than dimin-
ish the pleasure Of the possessors. One pref
ty little girl OF six, evidently of book-worm
nature. sought refuge in corner and speed
lily became absorbed in picture book, quite
oblivious OF the confusion about her. This
is one OF the brightest children in the house,
and one could but think what good angel
had taken pity ON this innocent child of
shame, whose mother, born to good position,
but cursed by drunken father, had in an
evil hour listened to the voice of the tempt
er and fallen from woman's high estate of
virtue and purity, and about whom two men
had been shot-one the seducer, the other
a knsman, who deemed himself the ayenser
of the honor OF his family.
After all the presents had been duly en-
ioyed, supper was announced, and words
would fail me to describe the beauty, to say
nothing of the solid comfort, that appeared
on two long tables, sparkling with glass and
china, adorned with pyramids of fruit and
flowers, and loaded with everything cal.
culated to tempt the weakness of humanity
to perform gastronomic wonders overnight
in many cases to be followed by bitter re-
pentance on the morrow. The guests seemed
willing to risk all dangers, evidently strength
eued by the conviction that they were 'dy-
ing ia good cause" After their ardor had
subsidized, the tables were hastily rear
ranged, and the children came trooping
down to display equal zeal in their turn
The visitors and directors mingled freely
with the happy little souls, enjoying their
enjoyments.
AS we drove through the grounds when
the festivities ended, the silvery moonlight
shone on the winding walks and avenues,
softening the harsh outlines of winter, and
resting tenderly on the tall granite shaft,
which marks the resting piacs o. Tie
founder ofthe Orphan Home, Peace to the
oohSS VI biAS Vlu utai1s sVHu alter a HI9 oil
toll, unbrightened bY reeollections of hap
Ply childhood, unblessed with the sweet in
fuences OF home aud loyed ones, found it in
his heart to provide TINS refuge Tor the help
less children of want.
The matron has talked so much to the
orphans of the beneyolence of the founder
of the institution, that the little innocents
have invested his memory with an ideal
charm, and often, when the rays of the set.
ting sun reminds them that it is time to
cease their sports under the spreading oaks,
they will, Of their own accord, 90 to the
grassy spot where Samuel Miller sleeps, and
joining their little hands reverently sing
their childish hymns, as they walk round his
resting place. One might think such tender
notes would almost pierce the dull, cold ear
OF death aud warm into life the still pulses
beneath the sod, as they tell the gratitude
OF gentle hearts to whom his charity has
brought happiness.