The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-17
xpress the surprise and pleasure ex-


perienced.
Imagine a fine old country house,
half colonial in certain aspects, but of
a spaciousness and frontage Of which
the cut gives but an inadequate view,
surrounded by a lawn wide in extent
and shaded by stately trees. The broad
open entrance discloses a wide hall Of
a bygone period running straight
through where the vista from similar
doors at the rear is at first that of a
forest of oaks, extending up to the
veranda and beyond the reach of the
eye.
The turf is as green and luxuriant as
in an English park, and beneath the
trees are swinging hammocks where
the happy children swing and where
the tired i'll mothers linger. The pic
turesque beauty of the scene is impos-
sible to depict. The oaks are such as
the Druids might have worshipped be-
meath, while here and there cairn-
like heap of boulders, fern fringed, af-
fords fascinating resort for chip
munks and squirrels, which gambol
about with an utter absence of fear.
OTHER DELECTABLE FEATURES.
There are many huge cherry trees
laden with fruit and at least one small
boy of the party scarcely landed yes
terday than he was discovered far up
in the branches. To say that these
trees alone represent Paradise to the
average boy who is so fortunate as to
be guest here, is to make very mild
assertion.
The house itself has an air of dig
nifty and hospitality unusual in these
days of modern frippery in architec-
ture. The great doors, the spacious
rooms and the comfortable fittings
render it an ideal spot. 1t was built
for Loring Andrews summer residence
thirty-two years ago, and contains
many conveniences which must have
been innovations at that period. The
beautiful oak floor of hall and STAIR
case, dark with time might we'll be
coveted for a pretentious city home;
the porticos with their deep, built
in seats and the large chambers render
it an ideal place for the purpose to
which it is to be devoted. Beyond ALL
its cool, delightful location is a source
of congratulation to the projectors.
st. Luke's Summer Home has shell
tered many denominations and most
nationalities. Christians. Jew, Pro-
testant ,Catholic-all needy and afflicted
ones are welcomed; no difference is OBJ
served in care, no question of race or
religion arises. Prayers are said at
morning and evening, but no guest is
obliged to attend. That the fact of this
broadness of purpose is entertained
may be judged from the gifts bestowed
upon the home. over every apartment
entrance is a tablet bearing the loving
legend, This room was furnished by"
the friends whose names appear.
THE FURNISHINGS.
The common room was furnished by
the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
No. 22; the reception room by the en-
ployes of the North mill of the Lacka-
wanna Iron and Steel company. The
employees of the Scranton Stove works
equipped the kitchen with its complete
range, The CollieIy Engineer employees
contribute to the fittings Of the refec-
tory. The Knights of Pythias furnish
ed the beautiful room on the first
floor devoted to the Sisters in charge.
The bedrooms, costly fitted up with
oak furniture and daintily enameled
iron beds, We're furnished by the Car
penters' union, No. 563; the employees
of the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western machine shops, the Anthracite
commandery, Knights of Malta, No.
211; employees of Mt Pleasant colliery,
and Pennsylvania railroad. The third
loorcontains large sleeping apartments
and an unfinished room which will be
plainly fitted up as chapel with altar
and seats,
The impressive service was conduct
ed by Rev. Rogers Israel, assisted by
Rev. E. j, Haughton who, in their
Vestments, stood in the wide hall near
the open door way. The picture was
one to be remembered. At the right
stood the two Sisters in their dark
garb with the snowy colts framing
their sweet faces. Grouped about the
veranda were the guests Of the occa-
| sion, while in the common room the
family gathered. Cool breezes swept
through the hall ana the subdued
voices of the little children under the
trees mingled with the carol of birds
in the branches.
THE ROOMS BLESSED.
The services began with the reading
of Psalm 81 and a benediction at the
door. One after another the rooms
were blessed, the little procession fol-
lowing the clergymen through the
Home, bountiful lunch was then
| served and several members of the
party returned to the city, the others
remaining to enjoy the day amid the
pleasant surroundings.
Those who went up from Scranton
yesterday were: Rev. Rogers Israel,
Rev. E. j. Haughton, Brother Francis,
Mr.. and Mrs. C. b. Derman, Miss Su-
san II. Dickinson, Captain Samuel
Hines, ]. w. Dusenbury, John II. Jor-
dan, of the Truth and Tribune rep
resentative. As guests for the coming