The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-10-10

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One of the prettiest places in Sacra-
mento is the old Hamilton residence,
now the Marguerite Home for aged
women, situated on the corner of Sew
enth and @ streets. This place is an
other of the many monuments in testi-
7nony to the benefcence of Mrs. Mar
garet Croker for whom the home was
named. 1t is an ideal spot for the pur-
pose for which it was designed, as it
stands in the midst of spacious grounds,
its cool, wide verandas encircling the
wing of the building, and commodious
rockers here and there awaiting oceu-
pants There are some fifteen old Ia
dies in the home, and truly they seem
like a happy, contented family, each
pursuing the even tenor Of her way ac-
cording to her own taste and lncllna-
ton In the long dining-room where
the table. attractively adorned with
flowers from the garden, stands ready
for the midday meal or D o'clock tea
a. prettier sight cannot be imagined
than that of these aged women gain
cred about the board, with their sweet
faded faces, gentle eyes and crowns OF
snow-white hair While the matron
saws a word of thanksgiving every head
is bowed over the folded hands, ana AT
its close a gentle murmur of converse
ton goes round the table, mostly IN
English, but between two or three Ger
man inmates often carried on in that
language
spent a delightful day lately in COM
pany with these old people. Nearly all
are passionately fond of music, and on
the invitation of the matron 1 entered
the parlor and sat down to the large
Weber piano to while away few mo-
nents with music. Hardly had the
first strains of a Chopin waltz pene-
trated to the long hallway, then one
after another a softly stepping figure
entered the room, until it was quite
filed. Then one after another called
for a favorite. A little woman from the
'TVaterland'' asked for Die Wacht am
Rhine: another for Franz ADJ 5
Agatha which called up for her some
tender memory from out the past Still
another, in whom the remembrance OF
Frances struggles amid blood, carnage
and famine for that liberty so dearly
bought. still caused the blood to ungle
and the eye to fash asked for the
''MarseiIlaise'' twice over. In the even
ing a Salvation Army lass came in, and
there were favorite hymns sung for
each one. after which, when the little
party disbanded, the sweet old people
babe everyone "Good-night,' declaring
that they had spent a lovely day Ii
IS so hard to be shut in and some OF
the more feeble inmates do not often
go beyond the grounds, an impromptu
entertainment of this sort means more
TO them than to the donor of the pleas
IRE. and is so little trouble to bestoW
so much happiness.
I'VE have had some pleasant times in
4be past" said Miss Stafford. Mrs.
Ross. Mrs. Carter, Mr.. Cohn and Mr..
Croker have given US some very pleas
ant evenings to remember, and you
don't know how these old people enjoy
itt" one has only to proffer the pleas
llre to feel all the joy Of giving. The
gratitude and real appreciation evinced
will amply repay the effort, and it IS
truly worth trying for. The reception
days at the home are Thursdays and
Sundays, and Miss Stafford takes it as
real kindness when a genuine pleasure
is afforded the aged ones whose well
fare is in her keeping.
Mrs. May K. Vivian is spending a
fortnight with Miss Stafford at the Mar
e11erite Home in this city. Mrs. Vivian
has spent much of her time on the from
tier. being the widow of Captain Wv
ian of the regular army, and relates
MANY thrilling and interesting anec-
dotes of the late war with the Sioux
She goes from here to Napa City
thence to San Francisco, which IS her
native town, and later to Los Ange-
les.
Mrs. d Bair of Sacramento has re-
turned from a visit TO Portland and re-
ports delightful weather at that place
Miss Pearl Jackson and Miss Edna
Smith sang a duet by Hosmer for offer
tory at St. PauPs Church last Sunday
Both young ladies were in excellent
voice. and the selection was uncom-
monty well rendered.
Mrs. Eugene Smith and son Watt are
visiting Mrs. Smiths mother, Mrs NJ
r. Foster, at 1880 Clay street, san
Francisco.
1t is said that Chico. Marysville.
Newcastle and other surrounding towns
will join forces with Sacramento in
the new oratorio society, which is to be-
gin serious work on the 14th inst.
Rhys Thomas has been engaged to
appear at the initial concert of the Cap
dtal concert series. under the manage
ment Of Rich. 7. Cohn and Herbert
Kidder.
Recent advices state that the advisa
bility of annexing kindergartens to the
Portland public schools is under seri-
Gus consideration by the Board of Edu-
cation in that city.
Speaking of Portland, recent ar
rival in that town was lately asked by
a letter from one who had read of the
web-footed propensities of that place