Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-14
ALoNE IN TIE MoRLD.
An Orphan Wanderer ON the Sireet
at RE-lHs


$3.50 aEs at Night.
Last night at half past ten kind-hearted
gentleman, accompanied by a boy fourteen
years of age, approached one Of the clerks
of the Battle House, who was seated in
front of the entrance, and asked him if be
could get supper for the boy, whom he bad
found wandering in The streets. The boy,
who is quite small for his age and has
fair complexion and light hair, il seems
had not eaten anything for the last twenty
four hours. Two policemen aud several
gentlemen who were seated near by made
inquiries Of the little homeless fellow, whose
history, as related by him, is that his name
is George Ballow, and that he formerly
lived near Jasper, in this State. His par
ents moved from North Carolina and set
tied near Jasper, where his father died be-
fore the birth of George. His mother died
two years ago, leaving him homeless,
moneyless, and without friend from whom
he could obtain assistance.
A child of poverty and having not even a
relative upon whom he could cali in his
lonely hour of poverty and friendEness, his
condition was anything but pleasant. Ac-
cording to his statement a man gave him
menial employment, and plying bis lonely
condition treated him kindly. In the
course of time his feelings changed and he
endeavored to make Ballou sleep with a
negro. Although poor and dependent on
the charity of his employer be could not
submit to this humilating condition, and
accordingly left his employer.
His next friend was man named John
ME Simpson, who runs as brakeman on
the road between Chattanooga and Jasper,
from which latter town he lives about ten
miles. Simpson treated his orphan prOtege
very cleverly, giving him employment and
taking much interest in his welfare. Be
coming dissatisfied, and having a desire to
see something of the world, BalOU went to
Jasper, where he met with a conductor on
the N. q G. K. II. named Gillespie,
with whom he made contract to act as
cook, although the duties of the culinary
department were novel and not understood
by him. This was about a week ago. He
came to Nashville with Gillespie, who find
ing him unfit for the position of Caboose
cook, refused to keep him longer on the
train. Having no money with which TO
return home to Simpson, he has been
wandering about the streets of Nashville,
seeking employment but without success,
begging for food which be has seldom OBJ.
tanned, save from the hand of the charitable
and sleeping in wrecking car at the Chat
tanooga depot. A gentleman of this city
yesterday afternoon promised him work if
be would call at lis office to-day. A gentle
man gave him something to eat and place
to sleep last night. BallOu is anxious, so
he says, to return home, and will state his
case TO the superintendent of the Chatta-
nOOga RsilrOad. In his conversation he
appears bold and candid, as if telling the
truth, and was very much affected when
one Of the officers told him he would take
him to the statiOnhuuse for the night.
Thinking he was arrested and would be
placed in Jail, the poor boy wept bitterly,
enlisting the sympathies of the bystanders.
If his story be true as related by him, it is
indeeda sad, though not an exceptional
one. Every day some decrepid form or the
wan face Of some homeless wanderer with
its tale Of poverty, misery and sorrow, may
be seen. Many are they who have no
home, 20 mother or father, or friend, and
life to these is lonely and but a barren waste
Of ruined joys. The charity of the world
is cold and naughty and distant, most often
being dispensed but sparsely, and too com
monty bound up in the restrictions of so
cieties, for the story of life's disappoint-
ments and pTivatiOns, its miseries and its
wants is but an unheeded whisper, no SOON
er heard than past and forgotten.