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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 81

The Way we Live at the Republic

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The Way we Live at the Republic

If one examines the general view as found in the front I part of this report, he is impressed by the close resemblance the "Republic" bears to a modern village. There are no large buildings used as dormitories, no big shop in which everything is done. There are many modern, "homey" looking dwelling houses, several commodious shops, a beautiful chapel, a fine school house, a splendidly equipped hospital and a large and very conveniently arranged barn. The Republic is a big farm of 350 acres having upon it a modern village with its own system of water, sewerage, steam heat, roadways and cement walks.

There are four cottages devoted to the use of girls, and six cottages devoted to the use of the boys. Each has its own Cottage Mother who runs the house as she would her own home, as nearly as conditions will allow. All the Citizens boarding at any given cottage must observe the wishes and rules of the mother presiding over the house. The Citizen is at liberty to change his boarding place if he is not satisfied with the rules of the house, or board, or any other feature connected with it. On the other hand the Cottage Mother may dismiss him from her house for cause.

Of course, under this plan, there are as many different sets of rules as there are Cottage Mothers, but all are attempting to follow, in a general way, a certain line of training which shall result in practically the same thing.

The social life is interesting. The girls and boys are given every opportunity to cultivate the social side of their lives. There are no-regulations" governing this question. It is worked out quite as naturally as in the world at large, except that strenuous, industrial Condi- page break tions act as a much better check than is usual outside. If a household of girls wish to entertain a party of boys or invite a certain cottage of boys to a party, they do not need to consult any one but their House Mother about the plans, boys etc. The girls in the house use their own money which they have earned to carry out the arrangements and they may be as extravagant or as modest in those arrangements as their bank accounts will warrant or as the "Mother" will sanction, Nearly every cottage has its piano and several boys have violins etc; music costs nothing. Many popular helpers will be present and a pleasant evening is passed. The next week perhaps the boys of some cottage will entertain the young ladies from some other cottage, etc. One girls' cottage, the New York, give a five o'clock tea Saturdays. Of course Sunday has the usual church services consisting of morning service, Sunday School and evening service.

On Wednesday evening the mid-week prayer meeting is held from eight until nine o'clock. Thursday evening is "Club Night," and on this evening of one week all the girls in the Republic meet at the "House in the Woods," the beautiful home of Miss Anna T. Van Santvoord where they come in close contact with the "best in life" considered from every point of view. On the alternate Thursday evening the boys meet. On Friday night. Court is held. Nearly every one attends Court. Skating, coasting, sleigh-riding, parties etc in the winter afford considerable pleasure. Athletics, picnics and walking are enjoyed in the summer months.

Our base-ball, foot-ball and basket-ball teams go to all the nearby cities and large towns to play, and, of course, many Citizens not on the team go along to "cheer things up." This gives touch, color and vim to our life. We have a good ball team and are proud of our record in this respect, Upon the athletic field our teams meet teams from Ithaca, Cortland, Binghamton, Syracuse, Sayre, Owego, Elmira, Auburn, Rochester, and many smaller towns.

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Scene in the Grocery Store

Scene in the Grocery Store

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Interior of the Furniture Shop

Interior of the Furniture Shop