The Irish standard., 1888-01-28
Nak.,

but until had attained womanhood was
known as Dorcas Lynn. MY first name,
however, was my only rightful legacy, for
was founding, picked up Oh the steps OF the
B-- founding asylum one bitter winter
night, evidently deserted by those who
should have cared for me. The n1atron.
Mrs. Lynn. Of course took lne in and kindly
cared for me; perhaps the fact that she mad
a few days before lost her own little daugh,
ter, made her more tender to the little wall
left TO her mcrcics As near as she could
Judge from my size and appearance must
nave been six months old when was left at
she asylum. The person or persons who had
placed NE there had evidently notintended
st.at should perish from the cold, for was
warmly wrapped and goodly supply OF
clothing was also in the basket beside me.
But no clew was left to tell from whence ]
came; only the simple name norcas upon
various pieces of linen told that had evi-
aeI,tly been the recipient of q mother's care
ct some time.
Accordingly was adopted by Mrs. lynn,
and in absence Of any other name she kind
~ gave me hers, and as Dorcas Lynn was
known henceforth. / grew and thrivcd
under her care very well; but when was
seyen years old my foster mother died and
again was alone.
vt was then decided by the managers tc
transfer me to the Orphans Home in a
distant part of the State. Of my Journey
there remember nothing, being TOO
badly frightened to recollect what hap
pened It was only when received by the
hind arms Of one Of the teachers and listen
mg to her soft, soothing voice, that again
realized that I had a friend in the world,
since lind Mrs. Lynn had died.
Oh! how can we homeless ones, forsaken
by those whose duty it is to care tor U.s.
fully testify to our gratitude for the KIND
services rendered Us by these sisters os
mercy Such q haven of refuge to the little
,valfs whom poverty and brutality have
made dependents
at the Home every thing was carried OF
witA the greatest nicety and regularity OF
arrangement. We were compelled to obey
the rules to the letter, but these, though
strict, were: not unnecessarily rigorous or
unlzind Our teachers were firm, but ever
pleasant to us. And, on the whole, we were
As merry a set Of children as one would
wish to Sae.
There are 40 many different grades ef
children here brought into immediate coa
tact, that the greatest care must be exer-
cised that partiaity is not shown to some
OF the more attractive-a thing which will
here say is never allowed in the Home.
Some Of the children are quiet, soft
spoken, will. bright faces and dainty ways,
ahat would do credit to any Of the petted
darings who parade Fifth avenue in silks
and erlnine. and, no doubt, are Of good birth.
But also, there are loud, brutal-looking
children whose low foreheads and wide
mouths. together with rough, unpolshed
raanner. show the piehian blood of the lower
classes. Others are wan, shallow children,
iuheriting, no doubt, the traits Of q weak,
silly mother, Or the dissipated tastes OF the
father Aud so On; all classes, grades and
kinds mixed together in one promiscuous
heap, yet presenting, under the watchful,
ex:Mting eve OF the manager, a very re-
spectablc whole.
The reader will no doubt be curious to
know to which Of these classes / belonged,
and that question l often asked myself.
Yet never fully determined, for the rea:
son that did not seem to belong to any in
particular, ia fact I was a quiet, shrinking
child, never going forward but rather wait
ing to see what others did. This fault, for
such I designate it, might, had been sub
iected to some kinds OF cornpanionship, have
led me into trouble; but had q grave con-
scientious sense of duty, which in one SO
young made me appear unusually silent ana
thoughtful Inever seemed to be at home
suite as the others did. rarely ever
,O,nped or played as they did, but early
deyeloped a love for books and received
much praise for my aptness in my studies.
had many friends among my piaymates
and teachers, aud so my life passed quietly
and calmly until was ten years old.