The San Francisco call., 1909-11-07

year marks the record. The little csnn-
etery over on the hill tells that story.
There Is just about a grave for every
year, also those of three brothers Re-
ferring to this, Brother xenophon said:
We live with our boys. we work with
them. and die with them"
That little summing up tells the
secret Of running an institution OF
some 500 boys with far too little
money. Where that fundamental fac
tor falls short. service that is unsel-
fish devotion ekes out the difference.
But that will not do for the future.
The possibilities of this splendid place
must be utilized
When the boys reach IA years OF
age. Brother Xenophon tries first of all
to place them in the country. Appli-
cations for them are investigated by
the priests OF the parishes from which
they come. The child when placed out
is watched over. If possible by the
neighboring priest. Other than this. the
aid of the chfldren's agency OF the AS
sociated Charities is solicited In in
vestigation and following up.
In the matter OF placing children out
this Institution IS handicapped as every
other one is by the fact that compara-
lively few children are eligible for
home placing and adoption. There
are too many unworthy surviving pa
do nothing for the childs support, but
come forward when the child is IA and
has an earning capacity. They do not
supplement- the work OF the state In
trying to rear the children who have
been deprived of a parent They shift
all responsibility and come forward
proudly with an air OF proprietorship
when the child Is, or can easily be
made, disappearing. A recent case
In Inf frU cd uVh "a
most advantageously placed IN a fam
lily. A mother who by her neglect had
no moral right TO jurisdiction over the
boy demanded and had to be given his
whereabouts. The boy was taken from
his home, and now those who know tho
circumstances are praying that all will
be well with the lad. who has lost a
splendid opportunity.
Making Clothes and Shoes
But handicapped as he is. Brother
Xenophon goes faithfully forward with
the means at hand The tailor shop
of the Institution Is a singularly eff
hcient department There all the shirts
and overalls. ties and handkerchiefs.
as well as sheets and pillow slips and
aprons, are made. Several machines
are always humming and there is never
a time when there are not two or thres
boys so efficient in this work that they
are ready to make good wages when
they go out-and this they do
Equally good are the shoe making
and cobbling departments. Many a
shoe maker has learned good part
of his trade at ST. Vincent's That there
is an opportunity to learn something
about shoes may be gathered from the
fact that II takes boys Just two weeks
to ~go through" their shoes. The books
of the man in charge of the shop show
that all the way from 1000 10 1900
shoes are mended or made every month
Every kind of work In connection
with the inside OF the house the boys
learn, nothing ever being permitted to
interfere with school hours Outside.
the eligible boys learn everything thax
can be taught on farm
Brother xenophon is trusting that
the new law for the establishment 90
a trades schoo. for s-r-han and half
orphan boys will round out his en-
ieavor. He would keep his boys after
IA or until they are proficient enough
10 be self-supporting. He would have
money enough TO individualize his
boys by the cottage system. or at
least some phases Of it. But until
that time comes. he lays all possible
Emphasis on the best that is available.
He finds music one of the most grate-
tul channels along which to carry lis
boys He has the best possible leader
'or the band. the work of which is far
more polished than that OF many pro-
'essional bands The repertoire OF this
little boys band Is a big one. and
svery composition rendered is full OF
color and delightful shading. The boys
nave entertainments when farces ara
given; in fact when a boy develops any
alent, IL is recognized
Having done so much with what Il
ias. no institution in the long list OF
hose visited is so ready. SO worthy
# an opportunity for the best possible
development.