The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-11-18
Letter From Miss Hess.

| orphans, there was general feeling or sur
prise, and many questions, even among
those somewhat in connection with the
work, as to what the children had done that
such an exhibition MAS possible. Nearly
all decided, however, that the house and
grounds were worth visiting, whatever the
rest of the program might be. for this prop
and formerly belonged to Dedi Pasha, at one
time &, vernon of Maras. Rents are high
here and we find 1t impossible to get houses
for less than $40 or $50 year, and even
then we have 81 much trouble in finding
them that II seeme ed providential when this
house was offered for sale for el75. To be
sure Els had to be expended at once for re.
pairs, but now 100 children can be accom-
modated here, and as they grow up and go
out from the other houses which we are
now obliged to rent for them, the diminish
ing family can be received into this one
place. The location is one of the best in
the city, being, In fact, the last house in the
northeastern part of the city, adjoining the
orchards and vineyards, near to us and the
schools, and also near the head of the water
supply--the last item being one TO be con-
sidered In this land where ''ablutiOns" are
part OF the religion. and where l have seen
horses, children and their garments washed
city. The property is said to be worth 5000
at a low estimate, and had heard so many
good things of its former owner that l ex-
pressed myself as sorry that he must sell at
such sacrifice. l was assured, however,
that this was more money than he put into
the house, as the cutting and bringing of
the stones and much of the other work was
done by forced labor! Now, though this is
a Pasha's house and good for Marash, you
must not imagine such one as you would
care to live in. There are windows, to be
sure, but the ten by twslye inch panes are
held in the sash by tacks, and there is not a
particle of paint or varnish in the whole
house. The wood work is worn from much
scruboing and the walls covered with a
rather coarse plaster, whitewashed. There
is not door or window frame ''in good and
regular standing" with the plumb line, but
even Pasha must not be too particular
about such trifes here. Nevertheless, the
rooms are large and sunny, the grounds set
with fruit trees, and the children are as
busy and happy as the day is long.
IL was to this Ebenezer, as the house has
been christened, that about 800 were invt-
childrens' efforts.
In this land chairs or other seats are for
the favored few, so the shady yard was
covered with coarse rush mating for the
most of the guests, and the 800 children
were grouped in the middle. After speech
es by the leading pastors, they sang hymns
themselves as well and naturally as happy
childhood does the world over. On the
walls and on the tables were articles made
by the children this vacation. The little
shoe makers had produced the gayest of red
and yellow babies boots; the tailors' ap.
prentices had made 80 of the native outer
garments, some of which they were proba'
bly, wearing; the timers had variety OF
wares, among which thought the lantern:
most ingenious, and bought one made from
genuine bottle which shall bring home
to show you. One of the potters had O
glazed cup; the cabinet makers had cup
board, and the weaver had number o.
towels and pieces of cloth, which tn,
amateur BARRIERS and gardners looked on a.
IL they wished they might show what the!
could do, too. 1he little girls work, also
was quite In evidence, there being lonl
number of pieces of needle lace in abou
two dozen different patterns, and coarse ant
soiled as 1t was II showed that the clums!
little fingers had been painstaking ones; 81
IL any of you wish ''real lace" collar yol
may order 1t soon, now, for 25 cents
There were numbers of pairs of stocking
they had knitted, and the good work the,
had done on native embroidery made us be
lieve all we were told In the report of thei
ability TO patch and sew. They are anxiou
to become proficient In housework, too, TO
this is a country where no one question
Carlyle's dictum that married or unmar
ried 1t is met and proper that woman un
derstand the domesticities." The pastor
finishing the report, said, land they Cal
spin, too, just come out here in front an,
show them that you can," whereupon tw
tots five cr six years old, dressed In pin
print, came promptly to the front, eac
with coil of wool on her fat little arm
while with the other hand she twirled tn
distaff. How the people laughed. but the
kept demurely at work, though their blac
eyes did sparkle and their curls bob.
All the work mentioned is supposed
have been done by the children themselves
and their progress seems wonderful, but {
course they are only children, as yet, an
dependent for every thing, this work mer
ly showing that they are In the way of b.
coming self-supporting when grown up.
The children attend school nine month
- n