Festival for the Benefit of the Covington Children's Home

Home, Our Home.

Sweetest of words, no language expresses it with such beauty as our own English. Our private homes are so dear, and we thank God that he has put it into the hearts of men and women to give homes to those who are unfortunate. God in his providence has ordered that homes should be built for orphans, invalids, and inebriates. God commands that people should have their families apart in the enjoyment of sweet solitude and communion. How touching it is to our hearts to go to our Children's Home, see the sweet little girl, with hair so neatly combed, and dressed so clean, bid you walk in; and the little fellow who said excuse me, ladies, I must obey the bell for supper. Think of such training manners and cleanliness, which is next to godliness. To care for one immortal soul what a gift, what treasure. Golden charity, twin word with heaven I should not dare to say to this public, be charitable; give, never. Look at our churches how they give. Look at private citizens at the perilous time of the flood, many without a creed, but, unconsciously, they exhibited the grandest principle of christianity — open purses — and all became in the common cause noble, generous, magnanimous. The theme is too touching for me to ask for alms for our Children's Home. Clasp to your hearts those who are so pure and give so much to you, the darling children of your home, so many of whom enter so largely into your happiness. Can you refuse to come to the unostentatious Festival that is to be offered for your pleasure on the 29th and 30th of this month? The President, with her usual refined and splendid judgment, quietly wishes an entertainment that will not be expensive to those who will patronize the ice cream and strawberry festival. No one can say, "ten cents to get in and ten dollars to get out." I understand from reports that Mrs. Dr. Henderson will have charge of the ice cream and strawberries. From girlhood up she has been accustomed to be at a home and circumstances so in life that she will understand the art of managing an affair of that kind; and certainly her assistants are most charming, elegant ladies — Mrs. George Hamilton, Mrs. Tom Porter, Mrs. E. Sayers; and the lovely young ladies are Misses Jennie Colville, Reba Athey, Fannie Kendall, Jennie Orr, Nannie Hamilton, Florence Bruce, Kate Gray, Angie Gray, Lizzie Lord, Mamie Lentz — cream, cake, and strawberries, only 35 cents.

The lunch table, under the care of Mrs. Bruce, who has always distinguished herself in the difficult and arduous duties that naturally belong to this department, will be aided by two ladies for whom I have the greatest admiration, Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Dagen. If anyone wishes to make a donation of ham, tongue, or salads, it will be acceptable. This lunch will cost only twenty-five cents.

My genial friend, Mrs. Warner, has the Apron Table, and a bevy of beautiful girls to aid her — Misses Gates, Sue Brent, Nora Lloyd, Annie Henshaw. Everybody will want an apron, and like the celebrated Mary at Worth's, the loveliness of the ladies will dispose of the choice articles to be sold by them.

Lemonade, refreshing draughts, will be entirely controlled by Mrs. Sartlett, who never fails in anything she undertakes, and I know that some pretty design will arranged, and a fervent wish for her success comes from my heart.

Mrs. Colville and Miss Levis will occupy the same position as last year, and will handle as skillfully as ever the hook and line. Oh, such fun as the fish pond brings! Mrs. Colville says that bits of silk or satin, or any gifts for the pond, please send to No. 40 East Third. The home made article is always a grad success by Mrs. Ward and daughters, Mrs. Miller and Miss Ward. The flower stand will be in the center of the room, very attractive, and so will be Mrs. Bascom, who has charge of it and she will be assisted by a coterie of fair ladies, whose names have already appeared in the COMMONER. Each with her individual fascination will offer flowers arranged in pretty designs as reasonable as possible. Flowers are God's gifts, and many an orphan has gathered from the hillside nature's sweet offerings for pennies to buy bread.

M.T.H.