Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-17
H MISSION HOME.
A Model InstitutiOn-Perfect In
Every Department.
A Refuge for FriendIess Women,
SOiIed Doves and Found
lings.

1t is remarkable that this institution, so
essential in every city, has received 50
little Of public notice. Of its very exist
ence many people are unaware. Owing
to a knowledge of these facts a LEDGER
reporter turned his steps in that direction
this morning, with the purpose Of writing
i up. The building stands in a oommo-
dious lot on Alabama street, near the cor
ner of Hill. 1T is a massive brick
structure, three stories high, completed
only a few months since at a cost of sew
eral thousand dollars.
The reporter, upon entering the front
door, was ushered into
RECEPTION ROOM
very plain in all its appointments, but
exceedingly neat and attractive. Having
made his devairs TO the matron, who re-
ceived HIM with the utmost courtesy, he
was asked if he was not afraid of being
contaminated. The reporter-always dis
creet-looked about him before answering
to see if any rattle snakes or pretty girls
were lying around loose, and answered,
that he rather guessed not"
why, said she, people know so little
about this institution, that one of my lady
friends of old times, who called here on
business the other day, was shocked at
finding me installed as its mistress and
wanted to know how in the world | came
here" How could you make up your
mind TO stay here" she said, surround.
ed by and breathing the ar Of so much
viceY" She changed her way ofthinking,
however, before she left.
The reporter was then piloted through
the building on a tour of inspection.
THE SCHOOL ROOM
was first visited. Entering the room sud
denly, ademure little darling, bright eyed
and rosy checked, was discovered sitting
upon the platform playing school
marm." About twenty little ones, aged
from five to fourteen years were engaged
in study. The room was excellent in its
arrangement, and could be used either as
a chapel or school room. On the opposite
side Of the hall was a dining room, and
opening into that
A KITCHEN,
| equal to the tabled kitchens of New Eng
land, in point of neatness and convent
ence. On the second floor is a long sewing
room, where several young women were
engaged in mending clothes, darning
stockings, and quilting. The children's
dormitory is also on this floor, the
matron's sleeping apartment and q cozy
room for invalids. The third floor is d.
vided off into small rooms, all plainly and
neatly furnished, and used as sleeping
apartments by the older inmates. While
passing n of these rooms, the reporter
glanced in at an open door, and saw stand
ing ut an open window, gazing sadly
out,
YOUNG WOMAN,
upon whose face sat such q dreamy, far
away look, so sad, yet so tender, that for
the moment she was actually angelic.
Through her deep, dark eyes, one could
almost read her soul, and what a history
what thoughts, what deep despair was
written therel A blighted flower, a
worm i the bud.
The different floors are reached by
broad flights of stairs. Strips OF carpet
are laid along the halls and one or two Of
the principal rooms, but otherwise the
floors, freshly painted, are bare. The
building is well lighted, and strict atten-
ton is paid TO the laws Of hygiene. In
the rear Of the main building, and con-
nected with it, is
THE LAUNDRY.
Here four of tho inmates ware at work
and didn't seem to be conceited on ac.
count Of it, by the wagon the soiled
clothing of the institution. This depart
ment was a model of n~eatness, and the
work was being done with dispatch.
The reporter noticed that whenever the
tour of inspection led out Of an outside
door it WIS carefully locked. All the
lower sash are bolted down, and every
outer door kept locked.
After'being seated once more, the ma
tron remarked;
you newspaper men never fail to en-
large OF the beauty and grace Of every
girl who enters the home with your
knowledge. Now, | want TO know If
among all the fortY-sig women YCd nave
seen, you have noticed one Who could Law
claims 70 ANY extraordinary degree of
personal attr~actiyeness2n
well no, | can't aay | have" his good
TASTE compelled him TO answer, Except
the mat"
THAT will do sirr" she interrupted, "but
now l want to know what you are going
! to say Of what You have seenP'
81 am going TO say" he answered, that
this is an institution that deserved the
heartiest support Of the charitable public;
that ii is we'll managed, aud o pleasant
home for anybody. But is it always so
quiet and hOmelike2"
yea" the matron said, "as a rule,
it is always as you see it now. Oc-
casionally some Of the girls disagree, but
the discipline is so strict that quiet is
soon restored. l have a police whistle,
but have e used it,"
"Where do these girls come fromf"
Some of them are sent here by the po-
lice, others come of their own accord /;
s)me have unnatural parents, andbome are
%ioundlings."
The institution is under the control of
the Ladies Christian association, and has
been furnished by the ladies ofthe several
churches of the city. The unfortunates
taken there are cared fOruntil good homes