The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-27

his Indian children, who had visited Philadel-
phia and Germantown In the course OF tba
previous autumn, and about whom a very
lively interest had been excited in tho minds
OF many ia those places Arriving at the gate,
In an open paling which encircles the grounds,
we saw groups OF the children strolling about,
or playing at games on the grass. Bed lndi.
ans playing at croqnet was certainly novel
sgnt, and they seemed very happy and intent
on tne games which they played, as they do
everything else, In deliberate and serious
mannei After substantial tea we walked
about the premises and visited the hospital
new and ro0my wooden erection, built by
the boys, who are taught carpentering under
the direction OF skillful workman. We
talked 10 the children, saw them march to the
refeetory building, the girls in neat dark blue
serge dresses, with white pinafores, (their best
attire, worn for the oceasion,l and the boys In a
light blue uniform, with slight scarlet braid
facinRs. Afterwards we were directed TO re-,
pair TO tho chapel, where, the whole school be-
ing assembled, we heard them recite and sing
In very pleasing manner. One young man,
most intelligent In appearance, rected speech
which he, as an English composition, had
committed TO memory. AT table we were
nicely waited on by Indian girls. Some OF
them nave detected expression, although
tneir ready smiles showed that 1t was not from
present unhappinefs. But their mode OF walk
Ing also, and high and rounded shoulders sug
sesleu tue enect Oh many generations OF grind
ing labor and crouching over wigwam fires
when the wants OF the lords and masters had
been supplied. We heard tome pieses nicely
played by the Indian oys' band in their pretty
pavilion, In the middle OF the lawn, and then
proceeded ID the workshops, where the boys
are taught carpe ntering, tinsmiths' work, wag-
on and harness making and tailoring.
They make their own clotheJ, and have con-
tract from the government TO supply large
portion OF the wagons, harnc 3 and tins which
are sent out for the us OF the Indians on the
reservations The boys are found to be quite
as intelligent on the average rs white boys and
some OF them were evidently very proud CT
their work. They hive a large gymnasium
where we cav some SPORTS and then visited
the claes rooms, and heard and saw some
results OF the tea:hing given. in reading,
writing, arithmetic, &c. The writing was
especially gcod; come show talent for draw
Ing particularly among the Cheyennes) and
practice il on the black t1-rd for amusement;
bat II Is not thought needful 70 teach it We
also visited the neat dormitories, and the work
rooms where the girls with prorsr help and
lnsL ection, do all the Dc3dlewoTk OF the estab-
llshment. The week before our visit TO
carlisle Barracks, party Of fifty had come
from Washington II visit the school. Capt.
Pratt and thos3 intere5tod Ia the work are
very desIrous that it should become regular
part OF the expenditure OF the country and not
merely 10 looked on fs an experiment; 1t be-
Ing quite capable Of proof that II costs consider
ably more to kill an Indian than TO train and
ciyil'ze him into us,ful member Of society.''