Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-08
The ChiIdren's Country Home.


was surrounded by beautiful lawns and
plenty OF fine shade trees. The stretch of
green in front was named 'Bagby Lawn"
and one on the side in honor of j. F. Cock
Grille while a delightful grove near by
called .Sleman Grove" and a cool
spot under a thick foliage of massive oaks
from the roots Of which bubbled a crystal
spring, was given the name of "Fenwick
FERN. Thus We're the members of the
committee of supervision of the home hon
ored. AVN
Monday, June s. 1895, the first band of
cnlIdren was installed for a two weeks
stay at the home. Wan and pinched thew
We're, one cripple, some just recovering
from severe Illness. Many of them had
never travelled on steam cars before: a
lew had scarcely ever seen the countr,,
But marvellous change was wrought IN
those two weeks, and the waits returned
AFTER their vacation hearty and brown.
improved imp in health. looks and spirit, and
just as much benefited morally Band NV
Dand they were taken out in charge of tho
dHerent superintendent, until the pres
sure became SO great that the superfn
tehdents were forced to divide their time
In half in order to allow the MANY anvil
Giants a chance to share in the good WORK.
ana when. last October the home was
a d Tor the season. eighty-seven chill
uIen had enjoyed an outing through the
generosity of more fortunate children of
tneir own age. Poor and needy minors
We're selected in preference to those not
members of any society but after tho CIV,
ply of these failed, cases were salec.ad
from the Children's Hospital the News
oo!s Home and other institutions
Al the home the children We're allowed
great freedom and spent the day in romn
and play They were taught habits Of
cleanliness and brought under refining in
iuences, besides the religious traininp
Wnlch was the constant care of those in
charge. Each child had a cot to binseif
and as they were taken out in comnanins
OF ten at time, there was no crowding IN
sleeping quarters. The day usually began
ABOUT o'clock, and after dressing each
child was required to make I'D his he'll ava
help tidy the room Then all assembled in
the parlor down stairs and morning nrayer
was said, each child taking some small
part IN the service. After breakfast the
morning was occupied in play There were
hammocks and swings, crouuet sets .nd
base balls and bats, and with these tho
children amused themselves, exercised and
tired themselves created tremendous appe-
tites, quickened sluggish natures deva1
oped happy dispositions and helped alon.
their physical. mental and spiritual i'm.
provement. Dinner in the middle Of The
DAY, play again in the afternoon, sumner
just before evening set in and the twiIiabt
hour spent on the porch playing blind
mans Duff and in similar pastimes. and
the youthful bodies and minds We're ready
by halt-past for nights repose But
pe1ore gong to bed brief devotions were
always participated in, and at the conclu-
sion of this service the children on their
way upstairs filed by in order and kissed
Papa Steele. as he was fondly called
good night. If any ones birthday occurred
during his stay at the home 1t was apnro-
priately celebrated by "party'-that form
OF entertainment in which all children so
much delight-and the entire company was
allowed to stay up a little while later than
usual.
Sundays the superintendent took their
charges to Junior Christian Endeavor
service at one of the churches in the vii
iage, ana the Juniors from the home Joined
with those in the local society in contrib
uting TO the success of the meeting
most CONNER dable charity was that