Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-03-26
Letter from Tennessee Oolored School.
STEELE ORPHANAGE.

Chattanooga, Tenn.
Within the past week three children
have died here; two of them were buried
this afternoon. Another child lies very
near death; no contagious disease, but
in each case gradual wasting away caused,
fear. through lack Of proper care and
attention. have had a little girl sick
with fever in my room. 1t was my own
choice. could not see her lying in the
dormitory with no one to care for her, so l
had cot bed moved in here more than
two weeks ago. She has been quite sick
but is now getting better, sits up little
while each day. Her little sister stays in
the room days, and saves me many steps,
besides looking out for her when am in
school. The older pupils are detailed
each month for work in various depart
ments, 50 that they all get experience at
different times in laundry, kitchen and
chamber work also waiting on tables in
the teachers dining room. On some &C.
counts they are preferable to white ser
wants for they more naturally take a SUBJ
ordinate place.
1t Is strange, but it seems to have been
born in them, in the language of Uriah
Heep, ito be umble" But there are some
other things that are trying. 1t Is sur
prising to find in an institution like this,
where they have so much of moral and
RELIGIONS instruStiop on fau tbot cap ba
trusted. Mrs. Steele has sent quite num-
Der of children North to people whom she
has met and who wanted them. think
that she is glad to do it where she is sure
that the child is going into good family
where needed and useful instruction will
be given in whatever is necessary for it
to know. A short time ago a noise was
heard one evening at All outside door,
which sounded like the crying of a child
One Of the girls was sent to the door, and
found little fellow about six or eight
weeks old, lying there in basket. Some
clothes lay folded up with him, but there
was no trace whatever of his parentage,
nor has any been found since. He was
taken in and cared for and given the name
OF Moses October, Moses because he was
found in a basket October for the month
in which he was found. Some Of the names
here are curious. One very pretty little
girl bears the name of Hallelujah Cobb
Mrs. Steele came home last Saturday she
is absent often, looking after other schools
which she has established for the colored
children In the South, also. on other busi-
ness. hope she may not have to leave
again, till she can get some suitable person
for matron, who may be the "head in her
absence" Mrs Steele is a noble woman
and is doing a remarkable work here. The
children are brought here from the lowest
places and many of them, though so young
have habits of vice when they come. Her
influence over them for good is really
wonderful. Some Of her apparently worst
cases, when brought here some years ago,
are turning out to be very good boys and
girls now. Mrs. S. needs an experienced
teacher to send to her school at Allendale,
S. c., and may 60 The matter is not
fully decided upon yet, she Is waiting to
hear from other persons. If | go she will
send an assistant with me She says she
wants me here, but as have taught, l am
more needed there. For myself want to
do what is for the best and be where can
be most useful. l put my trust in the
Lord about that. He alone knows. We
are having delightful weather since Novem-
Der came. October was rainy and cool,
but this month, thus far, has had nothing
but warm, sunny days,-too warm for fires
am sitting this evening by wide open
windows and enjoying the soft, balmy,
outside air.