The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-07-27

children, put out in New jersey and now grown
up and settled iu life, sent Christmas box OF
toys and books to us; and another, in Massachu-
setts, who now keeps seaside boarding-hou
did the same thing. This year five young men
who have served out their time In distant homes
paid us visit before setting out for themselves.
If L had been their own mother they could not
have shown more genuine gratitude and feeling.
Many sons of good mothers never show half so
much, whatever they may feel. We have lame
lad whom nobody wants. He is one OF the best
and most useful helps we now have. He will
probably always remain with us. He does all
our shoe-mending, and on my recommendation
the management pay him small salary He is
a great help In managing the boys. They will
all listen and be influenced by him when no one
else can do much with them. My boys consider
it a great honor to 90 outside on errands, but
the other day two of them got into trouble. My
boys have all had the stone-throwing epidemic,
and thought these two were cured, or would
not have let them go. Well, the result was they
threw stones outside the grounds hit poor
woman's window pane, which brought her out,
and her cries soon brought policeman, who led
two of my best boys home by the ears, and had
to put them to bed on restricted diet. We have
one boy who is nice little chap, only he is just
full of mischief, and If it is possible to get up
controversy he settles it with fist fight. AS he
usually comes off victor in such encounters he
seems to enjoy them. We have hit upon pun
ishment that seems to be working. He for a
while was brought in regularly to me through
somebody's complaint by 0 o'clock In the morn
ing. | made him sit on the stairs by that win
dow, where he could see the other children at
their play, but he could not go out to them. l
gave him all the picture books | could find, but
still he would look longingly out the window,
and for twomornings past it has been IL o'clock
before he has had to come in and perch on the
stairs, as he says like chicken on roost.'
''Here are some letters. Perhaps you will find
something OF interest in them"
The first was from boy, and was dated at a
place in Maryland, February 27, 1890, and ran as
follows: ~ write you few lines to let you know
that am going to school at Hampton, Va,
after the 23d OF March, and | hope to stop in
Washington and would like to stop at the home
and pay you visit. | am going to the school
to learn engineering and get better education.
1t will seem sad to leave Sallie his sister and
go so far away, but have considered the matter
over, and think ii will be the best thing | can
do for my future welfare, for | think can do a
great deal better with trade than without it :"
Here is another that tells of good progress
sit has been long time since | wrote to you.
/ am getting along splendidly, and am more
settled and nearly gotten over all of my bad
habits. Miss 4. has taught me to be good
farmer, good house servant, and to attend
stock. have been running her dairy for about
three years, and understand the work very we'll
Miss L. brought me harp, watch, and nice
derby hat when she came home. go to church
every Sunday. | went yesterday. | have a
nice time l have not forgotten to read my
| Bible that you gave me- think about you real
| often. III you nave the picture OF the old mouse
wish you would send it to me; would like to
have it to remind me OF those who were so kind
to me in my youth"
This boy was getting on famously: ~ will
write you a letter to let you know how am get
! ting along. | got nice new suit of dark
! clothes this winter and Miss Mary gave me
nice warm cap for a Christmas present. have
two rabbit gums setting this winter and DIR.
Williams has two also, and we have caught a
good many rabbits Agood many of the rabbits
| we skin and eat, but | have all of the skins to
sell l have sold good many and bought me
some Christmas things With the money, 1
bought pack of irecrackers, a mouth organ,
! cakes, and candy"