Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-08-11
THE LOUISA NJ. ALcorr CLUB.
A Boston Working Girls Home Maintained
by Hebrew Women.

In the midst of what is, undoubtedly
one of tie most overcrowded and
wretched sections Of this city, the
memory of Louisa M. Alcott is being
kept green in delightful way. Ones
first impression when looking on this
girls club is Of hot thoroughfare
where children swarm about the steps,
paddle through the water that stands
in the cutters, or hang from windows
trying to catch breath Of air.
Less than two years ago these young
women hired the lower floor of new
house and the Louisa NJ. Alcott Club
of girls was started. The surroundings
are far from attractive, but once in the
rooms, one forgets the uninyiting ex-
terror.
because we have piano and sing
ing chorus in plaster on the wall, we
call this the music room," says the one
in charge as the visitor enters. "We
think it is little too pretentious, but
less 80 than If it were q parlor."
An enlarged copy Of Miss Alcott't
last photograph stands between the
front windows. Beyond is the kitchen
and a wee bit of room-the library
with ruffled muslin curtains, busi-
ness like desk, etc. The bath room is
a source OF intense delight to the girls,
who never before have known the lux
ury of cleanliness, but who now look
forward to Sunday morning with as
much anticipation as many more ia.
vored mortals would to a European
trip.
Thursday is the day of days to visit
the girls, although there are few unin.
teresting times during the entire week.
On that day the baskets and boxes ar.
rive from the mutual Helpers Flow er
Mission. While the children are busy
with the daisies, nasturtiums, pansies,
roses and other blossoms, someone
starts song, in which all join, and
80 the work progresses until the set
tubs IN the little kitchen are brimming
over with the fragrant things. Then
each helps to "tidy up" and the mes.
sengers start out on their beautiful er.
rand.
In August the club will 20 in a body
to some pleasant place along the South
shore. In its absence the rooms will
not be closed, but used for the benefit
of other children who are to be found
among the streets, who will be amused
and kept out of harm 3 way.
On Monday evening the other girls
OF the club, whose ages average about
sixteen years, are taught English.
Many Of them work in chops, and
many of them have little knowledge Of
the language, because Of having beer
in this country but short time; for il
should be borne in mind that this is 0
work of Hebrew women for Hebrew
girls. On the same evening the younger
onos, in caps and aprons, are having
fine times in the kitchen learning tc
cook. On Thursday night the Older
ones try cookery, the teacher of all the
classes being an instructor of chemis
try in Boston school. Once month
there is high tea or course dinner, fo
which many hands make light work
They fancy they are playing at hous'
keeping, when in reality they ar,
learning the science of home making
Tuesday afternoons comes sewing
with someone to read aloud, Away
from the best authors. There are con
certs, talks on art, music classes
dress making by q graduate and, o
course, mothers meetings, that grea
factor in all projects where parents ar
benefited through the children. Th
literary class numbers only six at pres
ent. The girls pay five cents q wee
for membership. They conduct thei
own business with dignity and deco
rum, while they are doing somethin
in tho way of simple embroidery.
lis in this way the ideal of Mrs. A
cott's faithful, unselfish life is kept b,
fore these children, who are taught q
every step the beauty and blessing @
willing service, with the true meanin
of her little verse, written after sh
had washed and rinsed and hung th
clothes to dry"
II am glad task TO me is given
To labor at day by day,
For II brings me health, strength and hop
And cheerfully learn TO say,
Head, You may think; heart, you may fee
But hand, you must work aiwey.'
Boston Evening transcript