The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-17
VALE ORPHAN AsILUM.
How the Institutionis h pit and How inc
Boy, EMO. Themselves.


Boy, EMO. rnemseNs"
The board Of directors Of the Male
Ornhan ASYLUM. at their monthly meet
inc. held lew days ago. had serious
discussion Of the financial affairs OF tnat
INSTITUTION. They came TO the conclusion
that the meagre revenues would coHpel
Them during the present year 10 pIdcuSc
the utmost economy, ana II Is feared thdt
the number OF inmates wlll nave 10 DC
reduced in order TO curtall eApenseS' 49,.
There are AT present NIFTY orphan boys
in the care OF Mrs. Gill, the superlntend-
emf and the latter Is doing her very
best TO make both ends meet. MOST OF
the work about the place Is done WIN the
assistance of the boys. and several cnarl-
tabiy-dispOsed citizens have ingratiated
themselves with Mrs. Gill by sending va
rious kinds of provisions TO the institu-
ton. Mr.. Bliley, for instance, nearly
every month donates barrel or nour or
something else, and Messrs. BIoinIn anu
Briggs often send out large quantities or
bread. ,,
Something needed most by Mrs. Gill at
present is timber, 10 be used for the re-
pairing Of the fences, etc. At the time
when Mrs Mcdonald one OF the neigh
bors. met with her death. Mrs. Gill pur-
chased her house, which was taken down
and the timber from IL has been used for
various purposes. BY this time, however
II has all been disposed Of.
When | visited the asylum the other
day | was greatly pleased with its general
appearance. ScrupulOus neatness and
cleanliness prevailed everywhere, and all
the boys looked hale and hearty. During
leisure hours the boys pass the time
with plays Of various kinds and they can
nearly always be found out doors. All
seemed TO be very fond OF cats. OF which
they have quite large NUMBER on hand'
In the evening when the time Tor re-
firing comes, there is usually quite con-
test 10 decide who shall take the cats up
stairs 10 share the beds or the inmates.
one OF the large flower beds In front
Of the building has been turned l!to IL
graveyard by the boys. In the centre q
little hill completely covered with HOW
ers. indicates where the shepherd dog mas
been buried that was recently killed Dy
one OF the neighbOrs. Around II In a
circle are placed a number of smaller
hills which mark the graves or cats that
have ended their lives upon the territory
OF the institution. All are properly cared
for by the boys. and they are constantly
kept covered with flowers.
Speaking of flowers naturally reminds
me Of the greenhouse which Mrs GIL
had erected last fall out of contributions
given her for that purpose by residents
Of this city. Since then large supply
| OF flowers II various kinds has been
! raised. and Mrs Gill hopes 10 realize
quite a little amount from the sale OF
these flowers. The work has been In
charge Of an experienced gardener. who
had been assisted by several OF tne
boys. About a week ago however. he
decided TO change his domicile; ana
successor has nor vet been found. Mrs.
Gill expects. however. 10 get up all sorts
OF floral designs If she should receive any
calls for them.
As soon as the weather will allow it.
Mrs. Gin expects 10 again start her ex-
cursions down the river which proved 10
be quite a success during the latter part
Of last summer. She expects 10 make
arrangements with the steamer Pocahon-
tas. and have regular trips down the
river TO jamestown. Westoyer. ana otner
will patronize these excursions, and in
that manner enable Mrs. Gill to raise
some additional funds for the mantle
nance and support OF the institution