Putnam patriot., 1913-08-01
Summer Work of a Former Putnam
 Clergyman

Rev. A. P. Chapman, who was the rector of fsf. Philips church ia this city, is inow located in Northdeld in this state, and is doing an excellent work of which the Waterbury Ameri- can gives the following account:
 or late years, Northfield has become more widely known through the work 0f ine rector of Trinity church in pro- viding at the reetory, summer home for a number of little girls who need the free outdoor life there afforded 10 save them from falling victims 10 the scourge of tuebrculosis. As these chil- dren are brought from New Haven, Hartford and Waterbury, benevolent persons in these cities are interested, and give generously to the support Of the work. They also visit Trinity rec tory at intervals, and always return enthusiastic at what they see there. Nowhere is there to be found happi- CT, more wholesome home atmosphere than there, and the children. develop physically, mentally, and spiritually under it's influence. The rule Of grandpa while firm, is the rule of love, and is efiectual.
 This year there are 2l girls in the y more boarding with a family just around the corner. Some of them have been at Northfield for one or two years previously, and are thoroughly familiar with the rectory and it's sur roundings; others are new to the place this summer. The old miscellaneous assortment of cots has been replaced by regulation military cots: regular camp blankets and waterproof blan- kets have been provided, so that there is now sufficient supply Of such oed- ding for all emergencies: and new cur tains of heavy awning cloth, worked by pulleys, are now provided for the slee ping sheds, acting as complete screen for the sleepers. A wash shed, with table provided with enamel ware basins and pitchers, barrel for waste water, and racks for towels, has been fitted up this year. The arrangements inside the house are about the same as usual. There are tents in the yard for the teachers and for Mir. Chapman, so that the children are under supervis- ion by night AS well as by day. Nero, the big dog who is always regarded as a member of the family, though owE- ed by one of the neighbors, mounts guard at night regularly over the
 
 visits during the daytime.
 The household staff of workers is different this year from any previous season. Grandma Humiston, who for four years presided over the kitchen SC effectively, no longer feels able to do this work, though she is still in touch with the children, and IS regarded as one of the family, coming over from the home of her daughter, close by, whenever visitors are at the reetoTy whom she has met in former years. The house mother is Miss NJ. Louise Seymour, director of the open air school connected with the Waterbury Industrial school. Miss Louise A. lockers. teacher of domestic science at the Waterbury Industrial school, is doing the same kind Of teaching for the Northfield children; and Miss So- phia l.. Baker, kindergarten teacher of the Bantam school, is assisting in car ing for and teaching the girls at the rectory. With this corps of assistants MT, Chapman is relieved of all care except that of the general oversight of the children, and is free for parish work and for gardening, which is a favorite occupation with him. The flower ;and vegetable gardens at the
 
 are well laden blackberry bushes which make acceptable contributions to the rectory table.
 aWe are still in need of some things here,n said MT. Chapman, "for our summer work. Many of the children are insufficiently supplied with cloth ing, and we can use any good articles of underwear, or dresses, for girls of all ages from to IA. We are also glad of cloth, gingham or percale, dresses, rompers, knickerbockers, nigbt dresses, etc., and could also use stockings, shoes, rubbers and things of that sort. Our swings and hammocks have seen hard usage and are getting somewhat the worse for wear. We need sheets, also, for our cots-not too narrow to be used for both upper and under sheet. We have library of nearly 100 volumes, contributed from different places, and should be glad of any contributions of books suitable for girls reading, also song books and things of that sort
 "OuT girls enjoy singing-did you hear our Italian girls sing songs in their own langnage3 They all attend service in the church here, and take part in the singing and the responses
 
 little girl whose parents are Of the Jew ish faith, and who k allowed to remain at home and read during church hours. We make no specially of religious teaching, except on general principles.
 "Our girls take turns in helping about the house work, under the direc ton of Miss lockers, and are as proud of their cooking Us can be. She teaches them what k really practical and can be carried out in their own homes, with the kitchen equipment at hand there, and they enjoy il all immensely Besides cooking, they learn how to sweep, dust, and care for bedrooms properly, and are also instructed i'll sewing for an hour or so each week out on the lawn. We are paying especial attention to the girls teeth this year, examining them frequently and taking them 10 dentist when necessary. We 1 treat them ourselN es for simple ail- l ments, carrying stock of ordinary home remedies on hand, and seldom have to call in a physician. They are taught the rules of hygiene, how to i care for the skin, the hair, the teeth, the nails, and how to keep the body clean and healthy generally. Their food is plain and substantial, with l good variety, and they thrive on it. One girl has gained eight pounds in the four weeks she has been here, and others are doing aS well.
 "Nisitors are welcome at any time, and we feel that We can show them much that iS of interest, Our work is now well established and has the cor dial approval of Bishop Brewster, the Waterbury, Hartford and New Haven clergy, the heads of charitable and 1 philanthropic institutions in those 1 cities, and the Northheid people gener- l