Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-01
How Good Could BE Done.

How Good Could he Done.
Many society people should think over
the good that they could do in behalf of
these little ones. At many a tea, banquet,
or reception where wealth is assembled,
could word or so be dropped by some one
in behalf of this home there is no doubt
that good would follow it. The less fortu-
nate class in life could also do their mite.
Many man who never thinks of giving
pennys to a charity, not that he is unwil-
ling to do So but for want of opportunity,
and for lack of knowledge of the wants of
such an institution as mentioned, would
readily do so. If fifteen hundred men
would give for this year, or the next one a
dollar apiece, ind afterward visit the
home and see the happy, contented chill
dren there, they would double their sub
scriptiOn. The children love the home and
its surroundings, and they dislike very
much to leave it. The joyous associations
thrown around them make the place a
real home to them
The stories about the good already done
for the children are many. There is an at
mcsphere of quietneSs and homelikeneSs
about the place that exerts an influence
over one, and the Christian memories of
the little ones appeal strongly to ones in
ner nature No pretter sight would one
periodically inclined wish to see than at
ag-raisng in the morning, the little ones
at attention before the flag pole saluting
the emblem of liberty and freedom.
Mrs. DavenpOrt'S narrative of the home
from it's infancy Is told In such a com
nonsense way that 1t goes to the heart of
the listener. 1t makes one feel that should
misfortune meet him or her there remained
a hope that his or her little ones would have
a home amid Christian people. Oftentimes,
when poverty has confronted the home and
everything has looked dark, and it would
seem that the good work would have to be
abandoned in some mysterious and unex-
pected way kindly hand has come for
ward.
An instance out of many can be told At
tha lac had hoo n
the larder was empty, and the wants of the
many children seemed greatest There was
a deep sorrow in the hearts of the officials
of the home. Just the darkest hour
dawned gentleman came to the door. He
said to Mrs. Davenport: II am going to
get some provisions for my household, and
l thought that 1 could do your little ones
favor by giving them a donation of the
like kind Tell me what you want When
he was handed the list of necessaries he re-
marked, You are too modest. l am going
to send you three times the amount you
have on this paper" That there was happi-
ness in that little community over the visit
goes without further saying.
Origin of the Home.
Mrs. Davenport tells the origin of this
home as follows:
I'm the autumn of 1894 the assembly of
the Daughters of the King was organized
in the District of Columbia, and it seemed
TO many of US that one of the most effec-
to spread Christs kingdom among women
would be through their little ones. Little
children without distinction of sex, natural
iy fall under the care of women, and as
the brotherhood of ST. Andrew cares for
, half grown boys we felt that. as Daughters
of the King. should devote some of our
attention not only to the welfare of the
girls, but to the very little ones Of both
sexes Having had some sad experience
myself in my efforts to provide suitable
places for children, who need to be taken
Of no heat a the citV I'm
being impressed with the great need of
homes for this purpose, addressed letter
as president of the assembly to the chap
tiers on Ash Wednesday, 1895, asking the
Daughters to unite with me in offering up
a daily prayer that the way might be open
ed for the establishment of such home.
Before Easter an answer came in the form
of an unexpected offer of Prof. Melville
| Bell upon whom l had called with another
| object in view.
Prof. Bells Offer.
He kindly offered to give large piece
Of ground at Colonial Beach, containing
! fourteen lots each so by 100 feet, for a
chidrens summer home. A few days af
| terward he, with his estimable wife and
| niece, returned my call, leaving with ME
| checks to the amount of 1910. Mrs. Ora
ham Bell and the Rev. DR.. Mackay-Smith
each sent me a check soon afterward for
| a hundred dollars. To this l added a sum
| that had been given me for a summer va
cation. and taking some carpenters with
me went to Colonial Beach Lumber was
purchased and work on the buildings COM
| menced Immediately under my own super
intendency.
In one months time we were able to re-
ceive ten children. The first to enter the
| home was little crippled girl, whose knee
| was drawn nearly to her shoulder. She
was beautiful child, but had never been
| taught prayer. She remained at the
home the entire summer, and was greatly
benefited in health; but what was of great
| er value by far, she there learned to put