The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-01

ing like flll-blown peony in the sun,
with rosary, erucifiX and bunch of KEYS
jingling at her side, and the flaps her
wide, white bonnet standing out like
Substituting to bulge the animal by the
usual "st-th-th! underlie!' put her ST. ong,
fat shoulder to each one'S rump and
quietly pushed it out of the way.
Such immaculate cleanliness pre- walls
everywhere that one might eat off from
every inch of flooring, whether of W God,
tile or adobe, and such absolute sill snce
reigned that we found it difficult to- be-
iieve there were actually a great number
of children quartered under the roof. No
muddy little Footprints nor marks Of
carelessafingers, nor shouts OF childish
glee proclaimed their existence. A
glimpse of the perfect discipline nee died
in such a crowded institution is any-
where enough to give one heartas The,
with the knowledge that the reso ued
waits, though comfortably fed and
clothed, must become hardly more han
notwithstanding and retiring. eat ng,
sleeping, playing and praying by mex.
orable rule, led by the nod and beck OF
their keepers. The good sisterhood, by
the way, being all maiden ladies' OF GER
tain age, are scarcely the natural qua rdi-
ans OF childhood, having voluntarily
foregone the development OF the matter
nal instinct and being compelled by Il ieir
VOWS to Sternly represS the most tender
sentiments OF the heart. Worthy won zen
though they undoubtedly are, l search led
every countenance in vain for one tn ice
of that Undefinable yet Ilnmistaka Die
sweetness of expression indicative OF
completed womanhood, that comes OF lly
to the faces of those who have loved.
In this asylum the children are ca re-
fall trained in the tenets OF the church,
ana educated to a moderate extent in he
low NT.F
useful trade which he or she may pract ce'
for future support. Thus, While the bo US
learn saddlery, making, poncklo-
weaving, cabinet-worS, etc, the gi lis
manufacture artificial flowers, fan cy
boxes, lace and embroidery, and re
trained for, domestic service. Ii not
adopted, and ii self-sapportilig, they III iy
remain here permanently should tn ~
choose TO Go so; or at the age of eigiltel n
they may 90 forth to shift for themseive s.
There are are a number of orphans"
here, both male and female, reared in t. he
institution and are now nearing midd lie
age, who prefer to work hard all the il
leave the shelter OF the only home the y
have ever known. The young men ear II
considerable sums at their various occI l.
pations, and the girls take in fine sewin :,
embroidery and laundry work. The y
have also model bakery in the houst q,
I
the city comes from these ovens.
At present there are 426 children in IL
asylum. The smallest OF these able TO l e
out OF the nursery Ia class of fDrty-seve
between the ages OFF, and 5 years., wel
put through their best PAGES for our edifl
cation, with little songs and parrot-lik
dialogues, each setting forth their rcli
giOus faith and the goodness of their pre-
tecrors. All We're neatly, though poorl Y
clad-the girls in blue bingham gowns
the boys with an-jackets and Trousers
both sexes wearing aprons exactly alike,
OF the same coarse blue cloth that the,
Sisters wear for dresses, with wooden
hose knit by the larger girls and pegged
shoes made by the boys. Each little
apron had square pocket patched on in
front, into which was thrust calico
handkerchief the usual lamentable
neglect peculiar to childhood's use of the
latter article prevailed. At the head of
each little cot in the long, clean dormi-
tory hung calico bag, marked with the
owners number, containing comb and
rosary-and woe to the luckless young
ster who forgets the use Of either!
the most amusing part OF our enter
talnment was furnished by the large
boys band. We came down the old stone
stairs of the dormitory at the tap of the
drum, and saw ranged under the fig
trees group OF lads from twelve to four
teen years old, who renderedasome really
creditable music upon what at first sight
looked TO be tirst-class Instruments
Closer inspection, however, disclosed that
the horns and comets were nothing but
paste-board and twisted paper the bass
drum MADE of skin stretched over d
halt-barrel, held in place by the original
hoop, and the snare made from u Iarc'
can which still showed the New York
brand painted on its side One young
genius had a section of care cut into q
dute; another had a bit OF coarse comb
with bit of paper over il for a mouth
piece, and the rest footed away upon fine
tooth combs.
Among the crowd Of little faces it is
noticeable that none of them are purely
indian, though so large q percentage OF
Peru's population are Indians Many are
unmlstakable ariStocrats in feature and
bearing, and not q few have the fair hair
and blue eyes of Anglo-Saxon blood.
On the following Sunday we were in
vited to go with the childfen-to beauti-
full estate in the outskirts ofthe city which,
had been willed to the institution by Il
deceased Frenchman. We marched three
miles through dusty lanes bordered by
cactus and wild institutions, beside the
blue-gowned sisterhood and troop of
castaways, simply for the pleasure Of see
ing the latter enjoy an hour or two offree
the estate, a beautiful flower garden, an
orchard, swings, arbors, fields green with
barley and alfalfa, and meadows where |
sheep were browsing; and it did ones
soul good to see the forsaken creatures
happy as so many butterflies, the elder
children taking care of the little ones, and
the good sisters sitting by, each busy
with her knitting-wo
FANNIE b. WARD.