The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-20

none existed at the time. 1t was also the
purpose Of these ladies to secure farm on
which to bring up the children, educate
them in the practical ways OF life and TO
establish rest cottages for young women
who might desire TO obtain at nominal
charge q place where they could rest for q
few days in the year.
The first step in that direction was the
establishment of the orphanage. They
secured what in the past was known as
The Gilbert House. al one time a fash
ionable boarding house in beautiful flower
producing San Rafael, located almost in the
heart Of that place and surrounded by
spacious grounds.
The building had, by reason Of non
occupancy. become wreck, but willing
spirits, actuated by a desire to supply a
great need, employed necessary mechanics
and in a short time had the old structure
arranged to meet the wants OF those who
had the matter in charge, and at this time
it is a perfect home for the sixty little
ones who are sheltered under its roof.
This is our home and this is our little
family" said Miss c. L. Edgington, q
pleasant-faced young lady who occupies
the position OF matron, yesterday, as she
led the way into a large, scrupulously
clean, well-lighted aud sunny dining
room, where the little ones were par
taking Of their MONDAY meal. A more
tidy, happier and healthy lot OF little ones,
ranging in age from 20 months TO 10
years; It would be difficult TO ind any
where. There was noticeable an absence
of that severity and rigorous discipline
that is often noticed in institutions where
children are brought up under the care OF
those who are not related 10 them except
by ties OF kindness ana devotion to those
who are parentless. There was not even
zff oh OF hna r1i in
schools.
Each child seemed to have the same in
dividuality that children have in their
homes. Little Jennie, the pet Of the
home, only % months old, who as babe
was rescued from the slums of San Fran
cisco, having eaten genteel sufhciency,
sat on bench hugging a rag baby almost
as large as herself and appeared to be as
content as any one of her age could wish
TO be.
1.-The children in this house." continued
the matron, "are brought up on different
lines from those in many institutions. II
is our purpose TO make this as near home
like as il can possibly be made. We do
not want to let them feel that they are the
children of charity. All but a dozen who
are in the kindergarten grade attend the
public scoool with the other children of
San Rafael, and they are, am pleased to
say, treated just the same as the other
pupils.
I'VE have a little cottage on the grounds
where the smaller ones have kindergarten
instruction. Then in these large grounds
each child has his or her own little garden.
The boys plant vegetables and the girls
flowers, but there are quite a number OF
BOYS who have flower gardens, for they
seem TO love the beautiful flowers as much
as do the girls. They plant, rake, weed
and water their respective sections, and
how delighted they are when they car get
out after school hours TO dig and Work
around! The Older boys help IN the
general work about the home and the
girls are taught TO sew and do the mend
ing, Just the same as they would IN
home. They are all like great family OF
brothers and sisters, and so we'll do they
get along that there is no need Tor punish
ment. We hope that We may be able to
continue in this work as We are doing 1t
now.
Help? / have to assist me in the man.
agement OF our family Mrs. Katie Nc
Pherson and Mrs. Laura Denhoim, two
very kind and motherly ladies. Mrs. Nc
Pherson loves each little one as if il were
her own, and the love of the children for
her is reciprocal.
I'VE have here q playroom, and use it
night and morning for devotional service,
and on Sunday the children all go TO DR..
Mobiles Sunday-school class. The little
ones have plenty of recreation. There are
swings for the girls, also skipping-ropes,
and for the boys there is a gymnasium IN
the yard
The rooms on the upper fioor-more
than dozen of them-with the exception
of one used as a hospital. are used as sleep
ing apartments. They are all bright,
cheerful, well lighted and well ventilated,
and each is filled with the fragrance Of the