Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-11-01
HELEN GoULD,s PRo1EGEs.

Miss Gould at woodyorest-H Methods
New York Letter. 4e T=
On hilltop in Westchestnr county,
New York, stands Woodycrest, he
beautiful home of Helen Miller Gould,
whom the American people love for
her works of charity, humanity ard
patriotism more than any other daugh-
ter Of millionaire. Up there one c.
casionally gets a GLIMPSE Of queot
sights the assemblages OF hundreds OF
poor children who have in one way
or another come under the noti'e OF
Miss Gould. Not the least implrtint
of these meetings recently vas one
composed entirely OF prottges of this
daughter Of American patriotism. peo-
Pile have known for scms time that
Miss Gould was interested in helping
the poor, and that she took special in
terest in the children. Time and again
she would have them up 10 her country
home and entertain them In way
they never dreamed of before But It
is only recently that the public real
this mere entertaining the children on
the part of Miss Gould, and that
throughout the country she had little
proteees that she was supporting and
encouraging in every way possible,
Some of her proteges have heen sent
away to schools and colleges, One of
the easiest ways to accomplish this ia
to offer a scholarship in some institu-
tiop and then place her young protega
in such position that be or she can
win it, ard this way have four years
of tuition free. Fully a dozen different
scholars are now enjoying the benefits
OF Miss Gould's kindness in this and
other respects. -Four others have been
enabled to attend art schools, and two
are studying music under the best
teachers through the fundamentally
of this young woman. Two of these
scholars were literally rescued from the
tenement dregs of New York, and they
showed such aptitude for study and
work that Miss Gould undertook to
give them fair start 10 the world.
Unusual aptitude, brightness or
kindness on tho part of children always
attract Miss Gould, and she has become
the patton saint of more than a hun.
dred. When her name is mentioned
they show their interest and concern,
not by looks Of awe ard fear but Of
eagerness and happiness. Those of
their number who have been lifted from
buolr iuW ocbato ahu pue ~ utku ppoi-
tions to carve out life of success
through their common patron saint,
bring back stories Of her kindness and
consideration that make the children
look upon her as they would the Ma
donna. Bat she Ia youthful Ma
donna. aud the very idea Of posing az
such, even before the poor and ignorant
of her little friends, would amuse her.
Nevertheless, that is the nearest that
one can interpret their ideas concern
ing her.
crest with hundred children scattered
steund the lawn in front of the stately
mansion. 1t had been an afternoon Of
labor and anxiety on her part, for she
felt the responsibility Of entertaining
and caring for so many little ones. AS
she finally cooled herself on the piazza
and looked at her little charges romp-
ing around on the lawn, asked her il
she thought any of the little ones
before her would ever make their mark
in the world.
THAT'S hard to say" she replied,
after moments hesitation, "but no
one can tell what may be in children
until they have grown up and de-
veloped. But the hardest thing to me
is to see genius struggling under OBJ
staces and in surroundings that would
discourage almost anybody. ] do not
see for my part, how any child from
poorest tenements could ever grow up
and develop into strong, successful
men or women.