The Morning News

THE ORPHANS' SCHOOL

Located at Washington, Ga.-Points About the Recent Examination.

Editor Morning News: I feel it almost a duty, as well as a great pleasure, to speak through your columns of the annual examination of the orphan boys at Washington, Ga., which I attended on June 30. It is a pleasure to express my astonishment—yes, astonishment—at the excellent showing made by a school of "orphan boys," and a duty I owe to those, who, like myself, have given their mite, from time to time, to this institution, but who were not so fortunate as I in being present to see how well our investment is paying, considering our charity in a business light. Certain I am, if those who have ever given so much as a dime to St. Joseph's Orphanage, could know, as I do now, how well it is expended they would feel proud that they had contributed the least bit to build up so noble a charity.

The examination was held in a large, airy school room, well fitted up with desks, blackboards, maps and all school paraphernalia. One blackboard was covered with drawings illustrative of philosophy, excellently executed. This was the work of the boys, and was to serve them in lieu of apparatus in the recitation of that study. Opposite were large maps also drawn by the pupils, which were really remarkable for their execution and correctness.

Promptly at 9 o'clock the exercises began with a class in catechism. Then followed philosophy, arithmetic, United States history, algebra, grammar, geography and spelling, and for three hours and a half the interest awakened by the first excellent recitation never slackened. The bright-faced, neatly-dressed boys were so ready with their answers, so quick and precise, so thoroughly familiar with every lesson, that it was a real pleasure to watch them, as well as listen to them.

The examples in arithmetic and algebra were given them at random through the portion of the book over which they had passed, and there was not a hesitancy in any case, but quick, clear solution and analysis of each example. The analysis given in a manner that proved that the boys were not pieces of machinery wound up for the occasion, but well grounded, and thoroughly at home in what they were doing.

The exercises were varied by poetical recitations well delivered, and by the reading of two original compositions descriptive of the boys' frolics in winter and how they spent Washington's birthday. These were quite interesting and amusing and let us into the secret of their happy faces and their zeal for study and work which was rewarded by such pleasant recreations.

Several handsome gold medals were given to the boys for proficiency in studies and for good conduct, while they were all commended for their excellent deportment, their honor and industry.

And these were orphan boys! Suggestive to me, before I saw this school, of sad, pinched faces and dull minds, but here were boys happy, healthy, intelligent, as well grounded, as well trained as the very best schools or colleges could produce. Here were boys as well cared for as if they paid their $300 a year. One thing that struck me forcibly was the affectionate confidence which the boys showed toward their teachers, gentle-faced sisters of that noble band who sacrifice their lives for these poor little ones. Happy boys to have such mothers, such guides, such beautiful souls to guard and care for them.

And whose was the happiest, proudest heart at the success of that examination? One whom they call father, and who in very truth is father to them. Rev. Father O'Brien, so proud of his boys, so zealous for their welfare, and so earnest in his efforts to effect what we saw this day. Orphan boys lifted out of the comfortless, cheerless, routine life of the typical orphan's "home" into the atmosphere of a true home, where love of God makes tender mothers of the black-robed sisters, places a generous, careful father at the head of the household and supplies the gentle influences of a happy home-life. I congratulate myself that I have seen all this and I beg you to let others have the benefit of my happy experience,

MANNING.