Evening star., 1896-09-30
MAKING CHILDREN HAPPY.
Close Of the Season at the Country
Home.

Close Of the Season at the Country
Home.
The annual picnic for the children Of the
Washington Country Home took place
Thursday. September II. and proved the
most successful and enjoyable gathering
ever had.
The home has been in existence for thir-
teen years. and from time to time, as &C.
commedations have been enlarged. the num-
Der Of children benefited by two weeks of
country fare and fun has increased in pro-
portion. During the past year the home
has taken in $50 children. Three years ago
the sister (of st. Marsaret's sisterheod) in
charge of the work conceived the idea of
gathering all the little summer friends to-
gether for closing party. and this was .he
third occasion Of the kind.
AS 1t was the sisters party, they did all
the begging for the occasion, and the
friends Of the home, as usual, RESPONDED
generously.
Thursday was bright, beautiful day in
spite Of the gloomy forecast of the morning,
and the picturesque place which some
friends have called Merry Mount" never
looked prettier. The sunshine danced all
day through the lovely green foliage of the
forest trees. and the large house was trim
and bright, the upper and lower piazzas be-
ing decorated with great punches Of golden
rod and green boughs, made a lovely en-
trance to the rooms. A big table was set
dren's lunch was served. 1t was a pretty
sight, the throngs of happy children playing
about In groups all the morning. When
lunch time came the little ones stood in a
great ring around the table. laden with
good things and decorated with roses and
sang their grace, as usual, at their meals
then seated on the ground they were served
by the good friends who had come to help,
With just as many sandwiches, apple turn
overs and fruit as they possibly could eat.
Dur1ng the afternoon grown up friends
poured In. Some ladies of the Flower Mis-
sion brought quantities Of beautiful flowers,
enough for each child to carry some home.
The children gave a little entertainment
'speakin' and singin',' with the piazza for a
stage. 1t was vastly enjoyed by all, es-
pecially the performance Of the Peake Sis
ters. Three clergymen honored the occasion
with their presence, and one, Rev. James
Clarke, said few words to the little ones,
telling them of the sisters wish to build a
chapel for the home large enough to take in
all the children for morning and evening
prayer and Sunday services, a present i'm
possibility in the small room now set apar.
for the purpose. He asked the children to
help raise the money necessary to build
their own chapel. Little barrels were given
to each child who volunteered to collect
pennies. These were to be returned to Miss
Gordon. the children's visitor, on or before
Thanksgiving day. Five hundred dollars at
least will be needed, and experience has
proved that suitable chapel Is a valuable
adjunct to summer home work.
AT pm. second feast was provided un-
der the trees for the children. their mothers
and friends. who numbered 200 strong. Ice
cream in profusion, cake and to crown all
abundance of candy, all given by Washing
ton candy stores. made the children happy
and content. At 5 o'clock the guests began
to depart in parties, and professions wound
down the hill to the pretty Grant road.
which takes the traveller by q ten-minute
walk to the Chevy Chase car.
Perhaps next year we shall have our new
chapel" said one of the sisters. III you
know any one who would like to help US
build 1t, just mention the plan. Some father
or mother might like to give something to-
ward 1t as memorial of dear little soul
in Paradise. Our children will do their
part, and childrens needs, spiritual and
temporal, appeal to so many kind hearts,