Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-01
The First Summer.

larger building for the use of crippled chill
dren In memory of her..
The First Summer.
THE first summer was one of many
hardships for the faithful Daughters who
gave their time and strength to the work.
There were few conveniences and no serv-
ants, the 'Daughters carrying the entire
burden themselves. I am sure, however,
that no one who gave her time or money to
so good a purpose has ever regretted doing
so. Many and interesting were the sad
cases cared for, and the Improvement man
hest IN every case was a source of great
joy to us.
Quite a large nurnber of small amounts
of money having been contributed by Wis
ltors and others who became interested in
the work by seeing, the children happy at
their. play or watching them at their daily
saltwater baths, we were enabled to put
the roof on our larger building, which is
nifty feet by thirty-six, and three stories in
helgnt- Inc entire upper floor has been
left Tor play room in wet weather. This
room contains twenty-eight large windows
and commands very0beautiful view of
the Potomac river and the surrounding
country.
Damaged by Storm.
1.-The second season at the home was
prosperous one, far as benefit to the
children was concerned; but, although con-
siderable work was done on the main build
while, We had suffered a great drawback
by reason of a heavy storm which dam
aged II very greatly. 1t had been strongly
quilt, put 1t had no partitions inside to
strengthen it, and when the great storm
came which did so much damage in many
places our building, in company with many
others at the beach, was very much in
1ured. This caused US great additional eX-
pense; but kind friends came to the rescue
and We were enabled to put the building
IN much better condition than ever be-
lore. 1t Is now probably by far the strong
est building at the beach.
During the season of 1899 the building
was handsomely painted, blinds put on, the
porches completed and a commodious kitch-
en- built. Our family included some moth
ers with infants. invalid women and young
girls. Most of the children were kept two
weeks, but in many cases their time was
extended. This is done when a longer stay
seems to be necessary
Much needs still to be done at the home
10 put 1t in complete condition for its good
work. The halls in the main building and
number of the rooms are still unfurnshed
The smaller building, called the Clergy
Rouse, which we now use for a chapel and
Wnere we hoped to have an apartment fit
TED up for the entertainment of visiting
clergymen, who might come from time to
time and hold Sunday services for u.s. re-
mains in an entirely unfinished state 1t
should be completed Another and most
pressing need is a suitable dining room We
hope to be able to build one this coming
summer: and to place large dormitory
over 1t for the boys, at least for the larger
ones, as the want of suitable accommoda-
tons for them in the main building is a
source of great inconvenience.
Much Still Needed.
"A great deal has been already accom-
plished with but small means and we feel
sure that kind friends who have contrib
uted will realize that the money has been
judiciously expended. In many cases we
have secured special prices for our lumber
and sometimes contributions of material
nave been generously made. Donations of
1000, medicines, clothing, furniture, ice and
other useful and necessary articles have
enabled us thus far to provide for all that
nave been sent to us. In a very few cases
we have been reluctantly obliged to de-
cline TO receive children for the want of
room, but the most worthy and needy have
always been received and cared for We
trust that the coming season our work will
continue to receive the support it has In
the past, and that the Divine blessing will
make it what it aims to be- a boon and
blessing, physically1and spiritually, to suf-
fering INDECENT children and their worn
out mothers 81.
THE home is open to ALL our object be-
ing simply to benefit those who need
whatever their religious affiliations may
be. list of the names and addresses of
al the Inmates is kept at the home to-
gether with the dates of their admission
and dismissal. This list cannot be printed
but it is open to the inspection Of the
members of the board and other helping
friends. Visitors at the home are always
cordially welcome. sa
A Successful Season.
Last season-that of 1885, the fourth
since the Bell Home was founded-nssse3
very pleasantly and successfully One hun
dred and sixty-five children We're cared
for altogether, for a period of two weeks
each; while some, for sufficient reasons.
were kept a much longer time 1t was
found in almost every case that they came
with their systems greatly out of order
ana many were on the verge of serious IL
ness. A little precautionary treatment was
generally administered, and after that the
change of air, bathing abundance of
wholesome food and exercise wrought
their beneficial results. The attendance of
a physician was not once required during
the whole summer
"A number of valuable improvements
nave peen made on the buildings in the
course OF the past autumn and winter
SeVeral more rooms in the main building
have been finished, and tower has been
erected upon it, which greatly improves its
appearance.
"A skilled and faithful carpenter has baen
employed by the month throughout the
past year, and the plan has been foun5 TO
work satisfactorily The improvements
have been more economically made in this
way than they could have been otherwise
Besides, the carpenter employed (Who Is a
communicate of the church and member
of the Brotherhood of ST. Andrew also
acts as jantor of the buildings and general
manager in the absence of the officers of
the board. Thus the property is looked
after and cared for during the winter
months, when the home is not open
One Great Need
Our experience last summer has empha-
sized more than ever before one great need
of the church in Washington. Ever since
the Bell Home was first opened its man.
ayers have deeply felt the want of another
permanent winter home for children in this
city. For at the close of every season some
of the children temporarily cared for at
Colonial Beach have had no suitable place
to 60 What to do with them through the
winter is often perplexing question 1t is
painful and discouraging,' >rftentimes to
send them back to their I'd haunts. after
having them under Christian training and
observing their moral improvement for a
number of weeks. We ought to be able to
keep all such cases under our influence per-
manently, and it is our constant prayer that
the way may be opened for us to do so in
the near future.
I'm addition to the large number of chill
dren cared for at the home we have always
had many worn-out mothers, who are taken
at q nominal charge This is a boon