Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-08

oullurbuh euJOynenI s6entu uu-
bounded. 1t only ended when the
bell summoned them to supper. In
grateful response to the bell they assem-
bled In their play room, and formed in line
as they are placed at the supper tables
rattle OF dishes in the dining room
brought forth some show of anxiety to
proceed to disposing of the meal without
further ceremony. The teacher, how
ever, called upon them for some singing
and marching, and theyoungsters entered
with spirit into both, without giving any
signs of disappointment. A class OF five
tiny children sang: 81 will have
another name up there" Their sweet,
childish voices blended prettily,
but were lost in the refrain
sung by all the children.
A short exercise in marching, which
was neatly done, and the boys and girls,
still in line, filed into the basement
dining room. The march here continued
until all were at their places when they
halted without ceremony. As is the
custom before partaking Of each meal the
little waits with hands behind them and
heads bowed, in concert asked bless
ing. During the supper the best OF order
and entire silence WAS maintained. None
spoke, save when, upon permission, they
called for additional food. Supper dis
posed of the children marched back in.o
their play room and spent the hour
pleasantly together III til bed time.
In all departments OF the institution
everything is done methodically aud
punotually. The children rise at
o'clock during the winter mornings and
in summer and retire at O'Clock.
Break fast is served at o'clock, dinner at
II and supper at 5. The diet for break
fast and supper oonsiN.s OF plentiful
supply of bread and milk and for dinner
| full, cooked meal is furnished When
any of the children are unwell their diet
| is changed to something more nourish-
ing and palatable, and they are
humored as to their rising in the morning.
| They are happy, hearty lot, and par
| took of their supper yesterday afternoon
with relish which displayed an envisble
appetite. There are but few cases of ILL
ness at the home and but two inmates
have died within the past ak years and
| these, 1t ia explained, were ill-treated
| and exposed to the weather before coming
| into the institution. A healthy color on
each cheek and the full, well-rounded
| faces bespeaB the excellence OF the
chidren's plain food and the benefits of
early rising and regular hours for eating.
| The boys and girls show strong
attachment for those who are placed in
Charge of them, and as q rule are obedient.
| When first admitted to the home they are
taught to be polite, kind to each other,
4 aud obedient. This is frequently diff
| ticult task as in the majority of instances
| they are the off. springs of vicious parents
| aud have been surrounded by corrupting
inf fuences from the time OF their birth.
| Placed with the other inmates and given
| to understand that they must obey the
rules of the home, they sooner or later
become entirely tractable.
As rule children must walk and talk
before they can be admitted to the home,
and few are taken over seven years of
age They are then kept until a suit
able place can be secured tor them, when
they are bound out to service until they
reach man or womanhood. In max
ing application for any OF the
children the person applying must
give satisfactory references. The
trustees then make inquiry to ascer-
tain if the homes oifei ed are such IS the
child should have. II the application is
accepted the child selected is taken on
/
to all parties, it is then indentured for a
term of years, the home, however, re-
tanning the right to reclaim the child for
cause at any time. A person taking a
boy must agrees to pay him 81 per month
from the time he is IL years old until he
reaches manhood, when he is given $40,
and his term of indenture expires.
While sheltered in the home the chill
| ta l.at l..l o fl.a-
full. instruction is given them in sewing,
which the girls take to quite naturally,
but the boys hold it iu an out-of-their-
sphere light. The older children assist
in taking care of the younger ones, and
for this are given rather more variety OF
food.
Upon entering the home many are sadly
HON sick, and spend their first week
as inmates, in sorrow. The feeling
gradually wears away and the little watt
soon become greatly attached to theii
, temporary home, to each other and to thoss
who kindly minister to their wants
They are 10th to leave its generous
shelter and the announcement that they
are TO 90 away is sad one indeed to tn,
large family of the littlt unfortunates. Til,
remaining ones regret losing a companion
and the departing ones sorrow a
losing so excellent q home. Tue part
ing scenes are oftentiuies INST aiiect
Ing. Several children whose pareut
can pay are bosrders in the insti
tuition, where they are treated pre-
csely as the others. Their parents an,
friends are admitted to the home o.
visiting days, and they can spend som
n time together.
a The building is kept in perfect order
n scrupu lously clean, and severely neat
j. In the second story ia the girls bed room,
J. large, well-ventilated apartment, with bed
Y lining each of the four walls. In winte
the apartment can be heated to any tenn
perature desired, by the large furnaces i
the cellar, which send a liberal hoo
r of hot air to every ROOF
|. in the house. On the sam
floor is the nursery for little chi
= dren, where they find amusement wit
building blocks, hobby horses an
i dolls. Back OF the girls sleeping apsr
- ment is the large bath room, a curiosit
in its way and one of th
first things about the home
new conner visits. There is large leade
s. trough with hot and cold water for bstl
ss ing the face and hands, and similar OF
al on the floor with seats at one side whei
ss the feet are oleansed of the summer du
which is gathered in barefoot seasol
In large bath tub quite
L. dozen Of the youngsters oa
m perform their ablutions, which are new
ar less frequent than once per week. tt
sd boys occupy the third floor of the bull
y,xo Tbara ora apartmanfa cot aa,a N 9