“Oh, of course! One of our great secrets! Here is a volume loaned us by Mr. White, of the Oakdale Paper Mills, and it has the addresses of all the stationers in the country,” explained Mrs. Talmage. “He suggested that we send a sample magazine to each, with a letter stating agents’ commissions and price of subscription.”
“And that reminds me—the book you wrote for was given me to bring in to-night, and I left it out in the hall,” said Mrs. Wells, turning to Frances and asking her to get it.
The institution book was brought in, and its pages eagerly scanned.
“My! what a lot of poor children there are!” said Dot sympathetically.
“It doesn’t seem possible, does it?” said Mrs. Starr, turning to the others.
“We never realize what needs there are for help until we face something of this sort,” said Mrs. Talmage, turning page after page. Suddenly she stopped.
“Has anyone here an idea of how many dependent little ones there are in the United States alone?”
Heads were silently shaken, and Mrs. Talmage continued:
“There are 87,000 children’s institutions—homes, hospitals, asylums, and homes for cripples that are mostly supported by gifts, philanthropy, or legacies. About one-fourth of these are partially controlled by the state. The number of inmates in these institutions amounts to 1,740,520 children. Think of it! Practically a million and three-quarters! How terrible!” And Mrs. Talmage had to find her handkerchief to dry her eyes at the picture of so many, many dear little ones bereft of home and mother-love.
“Mary, Mary, I shall have to run away from here if you keep on!” cried Aunt Selina.