The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-29
THE CREChE

for, which, at that age, means happiness.
Though respectfully and clearly clad, you
see at a glance that these are the children
of the poor; and if you step inside the
cottage the matron will tell you that this is
the day nursery for children of mothers
who work for their daily bread, or Of those
who lapgush on sick bed, thankful, dur
ing their days of suffering. for relief from
one of their many responsibilities.
The day nursery is by no means a rich
institution. The little cottage is sadly IN
need of paint and the appointments are
far from luxurious; but all is sweet ana
clean. Little rows of chairs. long table
of height adapted TO the small people
who sit around it, bright pictures on the
walls, make the interior pleasant TO look
upon. In the kitchen all is in exquisite
order, the stove and dishes shining win
ceanness. BY the door hangs the bill OF
fare.
Beef stew, potatoes etc, and bread.
TUESDAY.
Bean or tomato soup and bread.
WEDNESDAY
Milk, cereal food and bread.
THURsD,Y.
Potatoes hash, bread.
Mutton soup
SATURDAY.
Milk, cereal food. bread.
The supper consists OF milk, bread, butter.
Mrs. DENSIR, Chairman.
Mrs ii ,MILToN, ro,,,,;ttss
Mrs. MORSE
1t was necessary to have little red tape
concerning the diet, as some OF the mothers
gave orders which might have taxed the
iarder of a first-class hotel. The mothers
who have work, and can afford to do so,
pay ten cents a day for each child; where
there are three in a family, twenty-fvec cents.
OF those who ara entirely without means,
no fee is asked. The matron says the
women are very honest; those VINO can
pay, most anxious to do so.
After lunch, the children lie down on the
floor for their afternoon nap. There are
three cradles in an inner room for the
babies; for those of larger growth comforts
are spread on the floor.
| The ladies of the free kindergarten are
! very kind to the creche babies, and invite
them TO all kindergarten festivities. On
| the day of our visit we found the house
| shut up, and while we heslta'ed, wonder
! ing what calamity had befallen the house,
| hold. down the street filed the little pro-
| cession, returning from one of these enter
tainments. They were headed by. TWO
babies in a perambulator, pushed by a
young girl who assists the matron, who
marshaled her flock from the rear.
To successfully guide fourteen OF
these small people is no light
task, for the street is rich in the
|
break the lines. stray puppy will put
| all discipline to flight, and even a butterfly
| thins the ranks. All looked cheerful but
two. a brother and sister: the former 3
years, the latter 2. 1t was their first day,
| and the poor feminine mite was ex-
periencine the first pangs of homesickness
and walled constantly, Take m ONE, tske
| m'ome'' (me home). These were Greeks,
| the mother ill and the father doing his best
to earn living, but not meeting with much
| success. After a little skillful engineer
| ing, the small people were all brought in
doors. save the foreign element, who pre-
ferred the doorstep, presumably as being
| nearer I'm 'ome." One wee creature sat in
her rocking-chair, and watched us in the
most absorbed way, with pensive head
dropped to one side. she could not tell
her name, being very small and shy, but a
big sister of four volunteered assis lance
and henceforth we shall know her as Edith
Pearl.
The urgent necessity for the creche in
all large cities has been demonstrated in
various ways. The newspapers, daily
record fatalities or accidents which have
befalien children left at home alone. The
fate of those who wander on the street il
perhaps more tragic. Not long ago, in one
of the large Eastern cities, chile
was run down by the cars and lay
dying on the street. A crowd sur
rounded her and the agonized mother
whose shrieks will never be forgotten b,
those who heard them. In few moments
the child had breathed her last and lay
looking like a broken lily. She was {
child Of the cutters, but very beautiful
The mother, frantic with grief, called or
God to strike her dead. Suddenly .
woman stepped from the crowd, young
woman, bat with the look which tells 1T
own story. She caught the mother by
both hands and said: ats better than to
be like me; she was too rretty for thu
street."
The institution here subsists entirely or
subscriptions and is much in need of funds
It's founders are very anxious to build I
outage better adapted to the purpose
than the present makeshift. The HERALI
has kindly volunteered to receive subscrip
tons for this purpose, which will b.
turned over to the secretary, and any ont
desiring to give a helping hand to the da.
nursery can do so without going as far a
| jackson street.
On New Years day there is to be
Christmas tree for the children, and gift
of clothing, toys, etc., will be very CRATE
fully received at either place. Perhap
some of our children will be ready to Civ
out of their superabundance to these littl
ones who We're not SO well supplied b.
Santa Claus when he lately made his an
nual round. LAURA CREIGHTON.