The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-16


Hope"
"And, Capt Willis" said Molly, "hold
y~urself in readiness TO sail at any mo-
ment."
In giving his consent the shipping
merchant had had no other thought
than 10 defer TO Molly's wishes.
Both he and Capt Willis had imagined
that she would give up all ideas of
second expedition after the absolute
failure of the first IL time was never
TO weaken her remembrance of her
husband, at least IL would in the end
destroy every shred of hope of ever see
ing him again. In accordance with
Molly's wishes the steamer was not laid
up. Capt Willis and his crew remained
In charge of her and their pay went on
Just the same. But there were extern
sive repairs To be made. She must GO
into dry dock, her rigging must be
overhauled. new boilers put into her
and her engines looked after. After all
this had been accomplished, the Molly's
Hope was thoroughly provisioned and
coaled.
Mrs Alaire's life at Prospect cottage
ndu lOuH SlnCc I'D oit-tiAht
methods. but, with the exception OF
Andrew Hollister and Capt Willis, no
one was admitted TO her intipacy. She
lived entirely in the atmosphere of the
past. save as her unfailing hope tenn
pered its awful darkness. The dead
was always with her the lost forever
beside her. Little Walt would have
been seven years old now, an age when
the young and impressionable mind
feels the quickening touch of reason,
but Walt was gone foreverl Molly's
thoughts would often revert to him
who had been so devoted to her, TO that
sailor, Zach French by name, whom she
was so anxious TO know personally, but
who had not yet returned from his
cruise. II could not last much longer,
however, for the shipping reports had
on several occasions made mention of
the Golden Gate, and, no doubt, he
ould be back home before 1851 had
passed. The moment he arrived Molly
was resolved to send for Zach French
and make good To him her Indebtedness
by providing for hin. in the future.
In the meantime, Mrs. Allaire did not
cease TO look after the families who had
been affected by the loss of the Dread
naught. It was solely for the purpose
Of visiting their humble homes, of pro-
viding for their wants that she now and
then left Prospect cottage and went
down into the lower town. Her gener-
ing itself with the moral as well as the
material needs of her proteges. 1t was
during the first part of this year that
she consulted Andrew Hollister con-
cerning project which she was anx-
ious to carry out. She was resolved to
establish and endow a home for the
care and custody of abandoned and
orphaned children.
"Mr. Hollister," said she, ''it's as
memorial of our child that desire to
erect and endow this institution. I'm
sure John will approve of it when he
returns, for to what better use could we
put our fortune?"
Andrew Hollister admirably seconded
MIRA Allaire in the execution of her
plans. A hundred and fifty thousand
dollars were to be set aside for the pur-
chase of a suitable property and for
the payment of its running expenses.
The project was quickly carried into
execution, thanks TO the assistance af-
forded by the city government. There
was no necessity to erect building.
Purchase was made of large residence
situated In a most healthful location
near the Old Town. A slSillful archi-
tect was employed to make the necessa-
ry changes, SO that the building was
soon In condition to accommodate
fifty children, together with corps of
nurses and teachers, large enoughcto
take charge of them. AS the building
was surrounded by large garden full
of shade trees and provided with run
ming water, there could be no question
that the place would prove most
healthful resort.
On May 10 this foundling hospital,
upon which the name of The Walter
Home had been bestowed, was inaugu-
rated mid the plaudits of the whole
city, which rejoiced 10 have an oppor-
tunity of testifying its sympathy for
Mrs. Allaire, who, however, TO the in
tense regret of all. was not present at
the Inauguration. She had not been
able TO bring herself To leave Prospect
cottage on this occasion. But the mo-
ment number of children had been
installed in the home, she went every
day to pay them a visit, rs II they real
ly belonged to her. These children
were to be permitted 10 remain at the
home until they were twelve years OF
age. and as soon as practicable they
were 10 be taught TO read and write,
their religious and moral education was
20 be looked after. and at the same time
they were TO be taught such trade as
their particular aptitudes might justify.
Such ones as belonged 10 the families of
sailors were TO be trained for the sea and
shipped as cabin boys or apprentices. II
really seemed as II Molly had n special
affection for this class In tender remem-
brance of Capt John.
The end of 1891 came, but with 20 no
tidings Of the lost ship or OF any soul
that bad been on board of her when she
sailed, and although large rewards had