Oxford Democrat., 1899-03-21
AN APPEAL.
TO KINGS DAUGHTERS CIRCLES
THROUGHOUT THE STATE
OF MAINE.

In this dear old state Of Maine there
are to-day 100 circles Of Kings Daugh-
.ers. In the busy city, the little village,
and even In the small rural districts,
where but two or three people can meet
together, the little silver cross 10 worn.
telling its own story Of good work being
done. But there Is peed OF asking tn
xearers Of this token "ln His Name" tn
psuse and ask themselves il they cannot
do something more.
There Ia a grand aud noble charity In
our state that now greatly needs your
financial help, and which | feel sure
would receive II, II only more were
known Of IL In detail. For the past six
months / have been one Of the 'shut
ius" st the N ,ine Eye and Ear Iufirm-
sry, not. able II leave my room, on ac-
count OF a seriously sprained knee. Oar.
ing the time IL has been my privilege Ia
become acqusin,ed with e good work
that IL being carried on by the persistent
efforts Of few noble men and women.
IL is the Maine Home For Friendless
Boys, located In Deering, that ] refer to.
The home eudeSvors TO supply 10
psupers and neglected boys, the place
II parent, until such time as permsnent
homes can be obtained for them. II
vas established three years ago, and
any boy 10 the state, between the ages
OF four and fifteen. dependent upon the
public for support, or whose lie, health
or morality Is endangered by the III
treatment OF parent or guardian, IL
eligible for admission.
sm told that II IL not an institution,
hut q family home dlstiuctively for
Maine boys, aud the only one OF It's kind
to-day existing 10 our state. The hope
OF our cities and towns surely lies In the
character Of the work done for boys.
At the state legislature now In session
1t Augusta, large sums Of money are
being appropriated for our state prison,
insane asylum, state reform school and
hospitals; but even though the state
makes provision for Its criminals, the
insane and other classes OF unfortunstes,
we cannot expect the time will ever
come when less money will be needed
for such purposes unless the homeless
aud dependent children can be shielded
from evil while young.
The placing OF boys and girls In aims.
houses and county farms may be an easy
official method by which city or town
may dispose OF such unfortunate chill
dren, but its results will tell In the
future There Is no better nor surer
school for the rearing Of vagsbonds and
psupers, than by contact In childhood
with the human wreckage OF our poor
houses.
That the Maine Home for Friendless
Bows Ia supplying long-felt want In the
charities OF our state by It's protection
and care for unfortunate and dependent
boys Is evident to every thoughtful OBJ
server.
The family NJ the Home | am told
numbers from ten 10 twenty boys under
charge Of a good, practical womsn, who
assumes the position of mother TO the
ousehold. The children attend the
public school In Deering, snd rank with
the aversge boy 10 Intelligence.
Permanent homes are found for them
Ne rapidly Ms Il consistent with their best
interests. At present there are under
care Of the society twenty. In addition
Tn those placed iu permanent homes,
many have been cared for temporarily
and afterwards returned TO parents;
thus bridging over time OF distress.
Many boys have been received from
aim ,houses and county farms through
out the state. Letters OF application are
being received almost daily from persons
wishing to place some poor unfortunate
lad 10 the home, not fit subject for our
state reform school.
How many OF the Kings Daughters
a ~ II.
for Friendless Bows? How many OF you
have made any effort TO give financial
aid TO IL: As a Kings Daughter, | am
proud to say, a few societies have gladly
responded; but not one-tenth OF that
number have yet done SO.
Here Is an opportunity to do where
the result OF your lsbors can be seen. III
100 circles OF Kings Daughters would
pledge 10 send s.. $40 OF S25 TO this
home yearly, the estimate Can easily
he IN .de what this money would do TO
help clothe aud feed many homeless
bows who would be left 10 their poverty
and evil surroundings, II not rescued by
this Society for the Protection OF D.
pendent Boys Of Maine.
Stop and think, ss have done, when
some bright, attractive little boys hsve
been brought TO me. Ii Is to fill places
Of trust, possibly Of honor, to make
noble citizens In the future for Maine
that this society is struggling to protect
these unfortunate boys, instead OF al
lowing them TO grow up TO be criminals
70 crowd our jsils, reform schools and
prisons.
Kings Daughters. /. II. N. appeal to
you to help on this good work. The
Maine Home for Friendless Boys is al
most entirely dependent upon benevo-
l-nce for Its support. Owing to the
limited means Of the society only limit
ed number of boys can be admitted, al
though there are accommodations for
many more at the home II sufficient
funds could be forthcoming for It's main
tensnce.
Money, for the furt hersnce Of purchase
OF building now occupied, Is also desir-
ed. Contributions will be gratefully re-
ceived by the treasurer. Mr.. William
Chs mberlain, l45 Middle Street, Port
land, Maine. Every dollar contributed
will help some poor lad to a start in life.
CORNELIA II. CROSBY.
FLY ROD.
Msine Eye and Ear Infrmary, Port
land, Feb. 9, 1899.
Maine people who have friends In