Correspondence (incoming): Sa - Sc, 1889-1902

WELCOME.

[image: hand-painted flowers]

To Mrs. Senator Stanford.

Esteemed Lady,

Kindly come our halls to grace, On this happy vernal day: And our hearts o'erflow with gladness, As we frame our welcome lay.

Low St. Joseph stoops to listen. To our simple welcome strain, While a beauteous link he fastens To our golden welcome chain.

Though to all of us a stranger, As the world would say, Yet our gratitude we offer, For the joy made ours to-day.

Flowers of gratitude are blooming, In our orphan hearts for thee;- Into garlands fair we twine them, As we come in childish glee.

And for thee our prayers we'll offer, To our holy patron Saint;- He will give whate'er we ask him; For he lists the orphans' plaint.

May prosperity e'er crown thee, With a diadem most rare, While the sun of joy around thee Flings her golden sunbeams fair.

Pray come to see us, soon again, Our new fouund friend most dear; For gladness shall our hearts o'erflow, Whene'er we hail thy presence here.