Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-30
A vslr TO coOpW,LL FARM.

4 10 solicited. Address all communications In
| tended for this department TO HENRI ID. HAN
Moxp. Agricultural Editor Oxford Democrat
Paris. Ne.
A VISIT TO GOODWILL FARM.
| Clinton Grange had warm discussion
concerning the raising of funds 10 build
Grange Cottage at Good Will Farm.
There was quite an opposition, and some
thought that the Good win Home was
not truly n charitable Institution.
For the benefit Of other oranges whose
members have not visited the Good Will
Home for bows and girls, | will mention
few objections that came up In our
grange. One great objection was that
no one knew of a child stopping there
whose board was no; paid by parents or
relatives. A story was told about lady
living near who earned 81 per week and
paid the same for the child's support at
Good win. Ii was thought by some that,
As the cottage was To be erected by the
patrons, the grange would necessarily be
taxed for its support ss long as IL stood.
One said; "why don't they take some OF
the poor children running around our
yillsge:" IL we should take a poor child
/ from our town and ask for its admission
To Good Will Home, what would be the
answer: No, Some said that the children
didn't have sufficient food. The patrons
finally determined 10 find out the true
object and condition of the Home by
choosing a committee To investigate and
report; and (, being one of the number
will describe our very pleasant trip up
the Kennebec River 10 Good viii Farm.
We arrived at Rev. Mr.. Hinklev's Office
aud registered our names. Mr.. Hinckley
soon arrived, and we esteem IL our duty
10 thank him for the cordial manner In
which we were received. and the great
interest he manifested in showing u
how the Home is conducted.
In the first place We went 10 the Moody
school building, and there we found one
of the best regulated schools In the state
with modern conveniences, and compe-
tent teachers, under whose instruction
the pupils cannot fail TO make rapid prog
ress. And, 20 stand and watch the
orderly manner in which the lS5 pupils
filed in and out with the beat of the
drum, and realizing their previous i'm
periled condition, was enough 10 touch
/ the charitable feelings Of any person aud
cause him TO say. God bless the boys
aud girls and Mr.. Hiuckley's benevolent
work" They have fine large library
| OF well-chosen books. aud the Natural
History Museum Is right worthy OF com
mendation. In the museum we noticed
gold medal won st the Columbian Ex-
position in Chicago.
Now will try 10 give you the principal
facts which We learned In regard 10 the
Home. First, let me inform YOU that IL
| is not an institution for town paupers or
rich mems sons Upon examining the
records we find thst 40 children have a
home there whose parents are able TO
send them 10 other schools. IL - only
for imperiled bows and girls In need OF a
helping hand. whose fathers or mothers
are dead, or one or both OF the parents
are Incompetent 10 support their chill
drcn. For Illustration: \ widow WAS
left without means, and being dress
maker, went from place 10 plsce, but
could not take her children with her.
Something must be- done. so she sent
them 10 the Good Will Home and paid
what she was able TO.
There are some for whom relative or
friend pledges 70 pay certain amount
for their support. There are instances
where rich person with charitable In
tention Vill pay 500 towsrd the sup
port OF child whom he has never seen.
Some mothers or fathers can support
themselves and pay 25c., SOC, 81 or 80
per week, according 10 circumstances.
And In the case Of the widow which was
spoken of in our grange, We found that
she has never paid cent for child's
board. 4 host OF Illustrations might be
given but don't let Us forget the many
children who have 10 support. Many
per week and IL sick do not pay ANYTHING.
We found bows from Hsrtlsnd, NAssal-
boro and Fairfield. But Mr.. HincSiey
saws h. much prefers 10 take boys ana
girls living at distance 30 that the relS-
tives o. friends cannot visit the Farm
often. And we can readily see the con-
sisteney OF this. as IL would make the
children homesick aud cause them 20 run
away.
Mr.. Hinckley saws. II do not expect 10
ms ke much of boy who is not homesick
during the first few weeks. But II he has
strong attachments for his former home,
when he gets over such feelings he will
have corresponding attachments for the
Farm" The bows assist in the house
work and ale taught 10 do many differ
ent kinds Of work. Evenings they have
an hour for play, an hour for study, aud
al : O'Clock are all in bed. We visited
one OF the cottages aud found very
pleasant matron. The sleeping apart
ments looked cozy; each boy had a sep
arate bed with wire spring. L lifted
the puffs and Judged that the boys must
sleep comfortable.
Now let me tell you that the Grange
Cottage when built belongs TO the Good
Will Home. and We have nothing more
10 do with IL farther than We wish; but
believe We should keep the theme near
our hearts and assist in the good work.
Patrons. let's have charity and erect a
Grange Cottage 10 aid our imperiled
girls. IL any doubt the truthfulness OF
these statements, do a. We have done
and investigate for yourselves. You IL
never regret il, and will be friend 10
the Home ever after. We haven't any
members in our grsnge, and l doubt II
there are any in other oranges, who,
when they know the facts of the case,
are not ready and willing to aid such a
noble and elevating cause. Build, on,
build the cottage, Ii is grand ~ors,
worthy of every patrons earnest effort.
Let Us pray for the prosperity OF Good
Will Home and its superintendent
Mrs. Ella Kennedy. Lecturer OF Clinton
II a