The times., 1897-05-09

feel like dividing their last loaf with this
noble charity And thus it happens that
many toys and dainties, which the institu-
ton cannot furnish, find their way to the
little ones.
The morning OF my visit TO the hos
ptal three of the children were lying
in their reclining chairs out on the sunny
veraDda; they wore dark-blue uniforms,
consisting of blouse and boomers for the
boys, and adding a short skirt for the
little girl All three were helpless, and one
could not utter word; he understands,
however, everything which is said, and is
sensitive to the remarks of visitors. There
is another child whose bones have never
hardened, and his leg can be lifted and
placed behind his head with only the slight
est effort.
The children appreciate any kindness
shown them, more particularly as the nurses
have not time to amuse them. Only one
child can attend school; the others must
lie there on their backs, day after day,
night after night with no chance TO labor
or TO win the JOY that labor brings-no
recreation but being removed from chair
to bed nd from bed to chair-no view but
bare and somber, and now rich in verdure-
with perhaps years OF suffering ahead.
Well, the world needs its sins expiated,
and it may be that part OF its burden OF
redemption rests in this way on those in
nocent, sinless babies; and il so, their
reward ought to be greater than that
OF the hero vino risks life 10 win the battle,
or the strong and well who make then-
lrv;n, eor
idea.
A few of the children have relatives who
contribute to their support, but majority
are a charge on the institution-among
the former is great grandcnild of Thomas
Jefferson.
Several came from the children's hos
pital after being pronounced incurable,
and number of the adult patients spent
their childhood in the same place.
The management of the home contem-
plates adding a large ward for children, to
be called the Lola Wolcott ward; being
enabled to do this through the medium of
the legacy amounting to $40 900, given by
the will of Mrs. Anna Wolcott, In memory
of her daughter.
A dainty feature of the institution is the
st. Agnes diet kitchen, where special
dishes are prepared for those who need
them 1t is only about one-tenth as large
as the culinary department, which is pre-
sided over by a nice colored 'auntie,''
and sends out good things by wholesale.
AS we passed down into the basement the
savory odor of meat pie was waited out TO
the corridors. The food being prepared
there was all substantial and plain. as very
few patients have to be dieted. The sun
set ward is apart from the other rooms
and has separate linen closets, bath and
laboratory. 1t Is for cancer patients
There are no special features of entertain
ment for the patients. Religious services
are held every Friday and Sunday nights,
and ndtheinstitutionis S snon-sectarian. Friends
outside send flowers, books and dainties,
and the ladies of the board frequently take
theinmates to ride in their carriages.
The enterprise has received $4,000 from
the Government, but is sustained by pri-
vate subscription. There are only few
regular contributors, and though several
persons have donated large sums, the en-
ergies OF the managers are constantly up
to the highest tension to keep things going;
they manage by careful economy and rigid
supervision of expenditures. One of the
had the old man of the sea on her shoul-
ders, SO great is the burden; yet she would
not cast II off, because she is conscious of
the great good it is doing. The ladies
visit the markets just before any great
holiday and ask the people there to give
them the green things left over. Their re-
quests are generally granted, and in this
way much fruit, flowers and vegetables
are obtained.
A very successful scheme for raising
money was the chain letter system, which
brought $4,000. Another was carried
to a successful conclusion by Mrs. N g.
Lincoln, who suggested and edited wom-
ans edition of one of the city papers;
by other methods goodly sums have been
raised, as in the case of the bicycle parade
given by the Eclipse Company at Eclipse
Park under the management OF Mrs. Board
man. The home also received Sc 900 at
the suggestion Of Mr.. T. s. Hopkins, W no
made the will of Michael Mexican, an
old soldier In the Soldiers Home. The
annual teas given by the board each April
have been very successful in calling the
attention Of the public TO the needs of the
institution.
In q conversation with Mrs F. B. Mo
Guire. leading member of the executive
committee and an ardent worker JUr
the cause. l learned the real object of the
institution. I'VE want it," she said, ito
be rs little like a hospital as is possible
under the circumstances. Our endeavor to
make it a real home for those unfortunates
who cannot be cared for in homes of their
own. As consequence, we have few
rules The inmates are free to do very
much as they please; and II an attempt
should be made to hamper them with tco