The San Francisco call., 1897-02-19

large mum Der of sick children to be cared
for at the San Mateo home, the present
situation is one that appeals to those who
know the facts.
There are eighty boys now living in the
new quarters. They were transferred a
week ago from the orphanage at San
Mateo. Workmen are still busily en-
gagged in adapting the house to its new
occupants, but by the end OF another
week the necessary fire escapes and the
addi tional stairways and partitions will
have been completed and the exterior OF
the building repainted.
The house was built many years ago for
a fashionable boarding place. 1t was
first called The Marlborough, and by that
name was the synonym quarter OF a
century ago for gentility among the
higher class boardin houses of the City.
In later years it was known as The Belve-
dere, and latterly was used as cheap
rooming- house.
1t Is well adapted to the use to which it
is henceforth to be put. Wish si1ty-two
rooms and many outside windows open
ing on two streets, it can accommodate as
many as $50 boys.
TIE building is to be used as home for
the little ones and as an Orphanage Home
for those boys who have attained the age
of Ii and are at work in the City.
The Orphanaee Home will have its en-
trance on Second street and will be dis
tinct institution, kept so by means of par
titions dividing the buildings into two
parts. For some little time past the home
for these older boys has been at S31 Fulton
street. When it was first organized in
November 1885, it was situated at 709
Powell street. The idea of such home is
to care for the young boys and to help
them along on their meager wages until
they are better able to struggle alone for
a livelihood.
The State allows S75 year for the
maintenance of half orphan and 500 a
year for that of full orphan. This State
aid in the aggregate pays large part of
the running expenses of the institution.
But there would be q big annual deficit
were nothing forthcoming from churches
and individuals.
There are 175 orphans in the Armitage
to-day, not including the nineteen work
ing boys past the age of IA, who are liv-
ing at the Orphanage Home.
From the State the Armitage gets
about $4,000 a year; from private and
church subscriptions about 5000 more.
All of this is required for expenses.
Last year through decision of the Su-
preme Court the orphanage, because it
was situated in San Mateo, was declared
ineligible to a legacy of $4,000 as San
Francisco charitable institution, though
its offices are here and rs per cent of the
orphans are from San Francisco.
The children in the new home go to the
nelghboring public schools and the kinder
garten during the day. In the early morn
Ing they help about the housework and in
the evening they prepare their lessons for
the next day. Otherwise they have 9TH
ing to do.
To aid this worthy work theatrical en-
tertainment will be given at the California
on Monday evening. March l.
The play will be Caste" Tom Robert
sons charming comedy. The principal
actors will be Mss Leila Burton, daug hter
of Captain Burton of the Preside; Miss
Rose Hooper, daughter of Major Hooper
OF the Occidental; Miss Robson, and /.
Z. Wilson Jr., Selden Stuart, Charles Dick
man and Frank Norris, familiar faces in
society circles.
On February 27, at II A. NJ, the boxes
will be sold at auction at the California
Theater by Miss Fanny Rice.