Orphan's Return

Eleven years ago an orphan named Peter Christopolus was taken into Rev. Edward J. Flanagan's Boys' Home in Omaha, Neb., famed model institution. A good worker, 14-year-old Peter Christopolus was rewarded for his "model behavior" this summer by getting his picture printed in the Boys' Home magazine, in overalls like the other orphans. The picture came to the attention of one Jean Strengs, French-born proprietor of a Paterson, N. J. dye works. Dyer Strengs was struck by Peter Christopolus' resemblance to his own son, who had been drowned at 17 a year before. He decided to adopt Peter, arranged for a six-week trial after which he might educate him, train him in the dye business, make him his heir. In July Peter Christopolus traveled East amid much publicity. The Strengs posed with him this way and that for photographers, Mr. Strengs accentuating his role of fond papa, and Daughter Jeanne Strengs, 14, hovering affectionately. They took Peter, rosy-cheeked and twinkle-eyed, to Lake Hopatcong, N. J. where Dyer Strengs enjoys boating.

Though they dressed Peter Christopolus up and tried to make him one of the family with effusive demonstrations of affection, again before press cameras, the Strengs soon decided that Peter would not do. They called him "disobedient" and "arrogant." They thought he was too cocky about his sudden good fortune. They said he was sullen and grudging about helping with household tasks. One morning last week Dyer Strengs awakened Peter Christopolus, told him he was to go back to the Boys' Home in Omaha. Later he explained to newshawks : "We gave him his chance and he failed to make the most of it. Too much publicity apparently turned the boy's head." Once more an Omaha orphan in overalls, Peter Christopolus told reporters how he felt: "I did the best I could. I tried to be what they wanted me to be, but I guess I couldn't. ... I don't see how I could be disobedient. They never asked me to do anything. I don't think I was arrogant. I didn't have anything to be arrogant about. . . . Maybe I didn't know just how to act in a home with a mother and father and sister. I had about six weeks to unlearn my whole life and learn it all over again." Father Flanagan, who had learned of the matter while in Europe, arrived in Paterson after Peter Christopolus reached Omaha. He tried to get in touch with the Strengs, was unsuccessful. Said he last week: "It is regrettable that Mr. Strengs in his statements, defaming the character of the boy, did not take into consideration that he was attacking a homeless and orphaned lad, who does not have the opportunity to fight his own battle. I am perturbed ... as to what effect this whole thing will have in deterring other parents from adopting homeless boys from institutions.''

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