The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-20
RELPsT0OvERCOME.
HANDICAP OF FATE.
Protestant Orphan Asylum Does
Splendid Work In Caring for I'm
fortunate Children.
Il Is 7:15 o'clock, Sunday evening
An the profesfanf Ornhan aaYlnm

In the Protestant Orphan asylum.
Supper is over. the dishes are
washed, and the tables are set for
the Monday morning breakfast. There
10 scurrying OF tiny feet as me
lights are turned on IN the assembly
hall. on the main floor. and SO or
more bright-faced boys and girls rap
idly I'LL the chairs that have been ar
ranged In long rows at one side OF
the hall. Facing them, little dis
lance away, Is another row OF chairs
reserved for visitors and the good
friends OF the little folk directly con-
cerned In their welfare.
Conspicuous among these Is George
Peck, the financial agent OF the in
stitution. His kindly features seem
TO reflect the happiness that CLOVIS In
the faces OF the youngsters before
him. A mutual spirit OF friendliness
prevails. The word asylum" seems
a misnomer as one studies those faces
and notes the spirit with which the
little ones enter into the evenings
services. IL Is rather home" and
the little tots are members OF num-
erous and happy family. with Mr.
Peck as It's head.
A woman steps forward to the pi.
ano. The children take up their
hymn books and Farrand Williams,
another good friend Of the home
steps forward to lead In the festival
OF song, for II Is nothing less. The
childish voices blend beautifully III
the time-honored hymns and ring out
clear and strong. in perfect accord
with the music.
After three or four songs. Attorney
Alexander X. Gage steps forward 10
tell the children about his recent
visit to a gold mine In South Dakota.
In simple language he tells them how
II feels TO be carried LOO feet below
the earth's surface and how hard the
miners have to work to get out ton
OF ore that yields only 1896 In gold
The boys and girls follow his woroS
closely for the most part, but IL Is
evident that bedtime is close al
hand, for here and there a head IL
nodding, as the sand man moves
briskly about.
The piano strikes up again and the
sleepy ones are startled out or their
comfortable repose.
Beautiful Isle OF Somewhere Is
the selection. and the song loses
much OF its sadness as these young
sters interpret the solemn measures
.Now let us sing No. 90" says Mr.
williams. Instantly the books are
dropped. for the children know the
hymn by heart. 1t is their good night
song.
.God be with you TIL We meet
again" they chant, softly, sweetiy. and
the services are over.
us this your entire family?" WIS.,
itor asks. -
"Oh. bless you. no." says Mr.. Peck
"Come up and see our sleeping beau
ties" And he leads the way TO the
nursery on the second floor where ~
or more little mites, whose ages
range from two TO Ave years. are
soundly sleeping in their tiny cots.
The presence of the visitors does not
disturb them. even when the lights
are Mashed on. In one cot Is FOUND
n colored child, the only one OF ner
race In the nursery. Among the otner
children she il known affectionateiy
as Little Chocolate Drop"
Thence Mr.. Peck leads the way
FIRST to the girls dormitory, and then
to the Peck dormitory. where the
older boys sleep. This room was
given to the institution Is years ago
by Mr.. Peck and to this day II mas
remained his special care. He mas
seen scores OF boys go from these
beds out into the world to make use
full citizens of themselves, In spite
of the handicap fate has placed I'D
their path. and all because they nave
been taught self-reliance and perse-
verance.
Mr.. Peck thinks the world OF his
boys, and they, in turn, have the
greatest respect for him. He moves
about among the cots. stopping here
and there to talk with one of the lads
and, IL bedtime is not too near, ne
will stop long enough to tell story.
A woman In uniform enters.
Time for prayers. boys" she says.
With one accord the boys leap out
of bed and kneel beside their cots.
There II a short song and then their
voices are raised In brief prayer.
Good night, Mr.. Peck" they shout
I'm chorus as they bound back into
their cots.
Good night, boys. Good night
There are now in the institution lis
boys and girls. Visitors are always
welcome and one could not spend a
Sunday evening TO better advantage
.hap an VISITING this ornhan home