REPORT    OF HAMPTON       INSTITUTE.                 245 
how much good it has done. It is supplied with a variety of papers, books,
and games, 
besides plants, pictures, and 'mottoes. The esteem in which the books are
held is deli- 
cately expressed by the hesitation of some to take out the newer ones, for
fear of soiling 
them. There is unmistakable evidence, however, that this scruple has been
overcome 
in some cases. Here, during certain hours of the afternoon and evening, some
of the 
busy teachers and interested friends meet the boys and select such reading
matter as 
they desire; and here, from the annual reports of the officers of the Government,
they 
can get annual information about their people, and a wider knowledge of their
condition 
and needs and of what is being done for them. This contact socially with
refined women 
is doing a great deal to produce gentlemanly deportment, and to change the
former use 
of the assembly room as an arena for wrestling to its intended purpose. It
is a pleasant 
sight on cold or stormy afternoons to see the groups absorbed in games or
reading or con- 
versation in this room. 
Family prayers at 9 o'clock are conducted by the boys, two taking part each
night, 
one reading a verse from the Bible, one making a short prayer in English
or Indian, and all 
singing a verse and repeating the Lord's Prayer. This gives the eighteen
boys who have 
united with the church this term, and those who were members before, an opportunity

to take active part in religious exercises. These few moments also give the
officers of 
the school an opportunity to speak a timely word of admonition or encouragement,
in 
regard to conduct, cleanliness, &c., and for the boys to question them
about any puzzl- 
ing matter. 
A lend-a-hand club has been formed, whose aim is not only to provide entertainments

which may be profitable for all, but also to lend a helping hand to those
students who 
have returned to their homes, by sending them papers, &c., and keeping
up communica- 
tion with them through its corresponding secretary. Besides the usual officers,
there 
are committees who have charge of its various branches: Debating, literary,
and tem- 
perance societies, brothers' club, and prayer meetings. Saturday evenings
are usually 
devoted to the exercises of this club. One evening was spent to advantage
in organiz- 
ing a town meeting, at which the boys prepared a warrant and discussed various
ques- 
tions of interest to them. The brothers' club consists of those who take
a brotherly 
interest in some particular boy, aiding him in every way possible to improve.
It is in- 
teresting to trace the marked improvement of some of the boys to the influence
of some 
of its members. A set of tools has been provided, with which those who are
ailing may 
find attractive occupation, and those who are well make up various articles
for deco- 
rating the Wigwam, or for sale, to provide a fund for the use of the lend-a-hand
club. 
The hope in this work is to produce such a picture of home life in the minds
of those 
who may be brought in contact with it as may lead them to strive to realize
it upon 
their return for themselves, and t6 provide opportunities to make immediate
use of the 
thoughts which they are gathering, and so to be ready for aition among their
own peo- 
ple. 
LITTLE BOYS' HOME. 
(Mrs. Irene H. Stansbury.) 
This is the third year that Division A has been the home of the little boys,
in which 
to receive the special care that all small children require for their moral
and physical 
development-whether they are born on the plains of the West or in the crowded
cities 
of the East. At present there are 11 in number, ranging-in age from eight
to fifteen 
years, and representing five tribes viz: Pima, Omaha, Sioux, Sac and Fox,
and Winne- 
bago. Six are full-blooded; the remaining five are half and quarter breeds.

Though these small braves at home are unaccustomed to restraint, they are
not diffi- 
cult to control. Moral suasion, except on rare occasions, has been the only
force neces- 
sary to use. Like all high-spirited, manly boys, they are full of mischief,
and are never 
so happy as when making a noise, but some of their civilized brothers could
take lessons 
from them in refinement, truthfulness, and patient endurance of suffering.
With the ex- 
ception of a few cases of eye trouble and pneumonia, their health has been
good during the 
year. The younger they are the more readily they learn English. One little
fellow nine 
years of age who came in the fall can make his wants known, and understands
what is 
said to him. The picture-books that are sent them by their kind friends at
the North are 
a never-ending source of amusement, and they enjoy being read to, if the
story is founded 
on fact. The "Story of the Bible " is their favorite book. The
courage of its heroes 
excite great enthusiasm, but their brown eyes grow full and soft, the laughter
subsides 
from their small faces, and the little hands which have been punching each
other a few 
moments before, become still while they listen to the "Story of the
Cross."  There has 
been a decided improvement in their English, neatness, and thoughtfulness
during the 
year. Two have pledged themselves to be Christ's " braves " and
"to fight under His 
banner until their life's end." Altogether, this year has been one of
encouragement.