New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-26

I 70 eIucjdate the reason why this bowl in
the hills of Westchester County is called
Happy Valley, for this institution is the
Bedford state Reformatory for Women, and
all Of these industrious persons are here,
not Of their own volition. but by order Of a
tribunal of justice, seeking 10 protect So
cietv from the various forms Of immortality
which they have praCtsed. Is II really
Happy Valley? one is quite likely to ask
himself as he looks around. Is the storm
which has just passed over, with its peace
full aftermath, fitting symbol Discursive
old DR.. johnson wrote about a Happy VAL
ley in order to pay the funeral expenses
Of his mother That Happy Valley for the
writer as II was for the prince he de-
scribed. was not unmingled with feelings
that seemed TO make OF it anything except
a vale Of serenity. Is there Happy Val
ley without tears in it? And Is this really
Happy Valley?
Happy Valley must be a state OF mind, as
well as place, one concludes as he looks
around. for the name seems to TT. Nor do
the others seem TO be inappropriate. There
is something in the atmosphere "hlch
seems to make Michelangelo appropriate
TO the donkey, Pansy and Penelope to the
pigs and Happy Valley to the place.
Friendly cooperation on the part Of every
body seems 70 be the keynote, and the
rallying centre Miss Katharine B. Davis,
the superintendent. IT may not be recog-
nized as Happy Valley by all these girls
or women-the terms are synonymous in
Happy Valley-one thinks. but, judging
from appearances, one concludes that in
many respects it is In fact
Few Of the women. perhaps none Of them
with the exception Of the one who had bcen
a member OF a freshman class in a womans
college, had ever lived among such attrac-
tive surroundings or engaged in such
wholesome activities The trip from New
York City, one is informed, is, for some Of
the inmates, their first ride Oh "A railroad
train. The trees and green fields beside
the track comprise their first glimpse of
the country.
A part of the perimeter Of the bowl is
recent acquisition. 1t is a farm Of some
eighty-odd acres. This farm is to be opcr-
atcd by the young women under the guid- !
ance OF woman farmer. There are to be
cows on the place for the supply Of the
milk for the great family Of upward Of five
hundred inmates and members of the super |
vising staff Three COWS already Craze upon
was afforded the girls TO give expression
to their willingness to go TO the farm TO
live and work. Like children. interested in
doing some new thing, nearly all signlied |
a desire to work on the farm. AS there are
more than four hundred girls and less than
a score were required. another method OF
selection was adopted How many had
worked on a farm? Whether or not the re-
tt.I 1n t,,I;n tnI
surplus OF farm labor. AS last test, How
many can milk cow Several indicated
that they had had experience in this branch !
of agricultural industry. They were cho-
sen and an opportunity was provided in
which to prove themselves. girl was as
signed to each of the three COWS
The hour for milking arrived. stool
and n pail were given to girl number one.
The eyes of experts watched TO note the
extent OF her knowledge. Carefully she
set the stool under the cows udder. She
placed the pail on the stool Then she
stood by and waited for something TO hap
pen AS she had not gone TO the cows
head and said Now" Of course the milk !
did not how with the usual merry patter |
into the waiting receptacle, and the girl /
had failed to demonstrate her capacity |
Little details are tricky telltales These !
girls. in due time. will become good farm |
helpers. To be permitted 10 live on the
farm is a privilege. reward Of honor
for It means trustworthiness This is
Happy Valley for them.
The feminine Jehu was really a Jewess !
although not member OF one Of the lost
tribes She came from the East Side. New |
York City Incorrigible and wild when