Page:Women of distinction.djvu/290

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.

that struggling asylum, notwithstanding she knew it to be heavily burdened with debt and without one dollar in its treasury. She said, "Any assistance I can render in the work it will be my pleasure to do so."

Did she expect pay from this institution in the shape of a big salary? No; none was offered, as there was nothing to offer her as an inducement. In June, 1890, she entered upon her new work without any. promise of earthly reward. Then the asylum consisted of one wood building of three rooms, containing eight little children. It was indeed a poor home. Finding talent among these children, she began to train them for concerts with a hope of getting better quarters for them. In July, just about one month from the time she went there, she took them out to travel. They created much interest through the State. The General Assembly of North Carolina gave the institution $1,000, and up to November, 1892, less than two and one-half years, she has raised an additional sum of more than $1,500, and has also solicited many annual contributors who will continue to give. So she has done much to help furnish and build additional rooms. Now, instead of one building with three rooms containing eight children, there are many new additional rooms, well furnished with comforts, enjoyed" by forty children. Miss Burwell has given new life to things in general at the Colored Asylum at Oxford, N. C. She is yet young in years, and has visited most points of interest in the State with these children, holding concerts and soliciting aid for the school, having not a dollar with which to start (except previous savings of