Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-06
A YOUNG GIRLS RUIN.
Flight From a Memphis Boarding
School With One Of Haverly's
NinstrelS.
A Sad Warning TO Giils who
Flirts
spseial % ihe Courisr Journal.

epeclal 70 Tue IOullof sVuihAis
CINCINNATI December 4--After =
year of searching, Carrie Atkins, who
50 mysteriously disappeared from board
ing school in Memphis, and for whom a
large reward has been offered, has turned
up In the person Of Maud Atkins, an in
mate Of Frank Wrights den Of shame, No
1872 Broadway. Maud Atkins is a very
beautiful girl, well educated and very
attractive, only sixteen yesrs old, and her
story of Low she was led astray from the
paths Of virtue, from an attractive
home, loving parents and after
only one year Of sin has fallen 70
the very bottom Of degradation, is one OF
the saddest in the annals Of a life Of shame.
This morning, completely overcome with
dependency, having fallen 50 low that
life was burden, and having no friends
Or other means Of support, she wrote 10
her mother Of her situation, asked for
giveness and made known her intention
Of returning home. She was provided
with money by Miss Wright, and with
a ticket as far as Louisville by the Mayor
10 Courier.J Journal reporter she said:
$ My name is Carrie Atkins Only one
year ago l was living in Chattanooga
with my parents, who are among the trst
people there, know am very pretty,
and 10 that owe my ruin. / was sent 70
a boarding school in Memphis. While
there was in the habit oftaking walks
with other girls, and naturally enough we
all became addicted TO flirting. II was
in this way that / met Frank A.
with whom soon fell desperately in love.
He was very handsome, and one Of the
most attractive men in Hayerly's Min.
strels, and l was so infatuated with him
that, q. his proposition, ] ran away from
school and accompanied him, and no one
knew where i was. My folks were
greatly excited over my mysterious dis
appearance and offered large reward
for any information that would lead to
my recovery. From Memphis we went
to Toronto, Canada. Every attention
was paid me by my lover for awhile, but
lac soon got tired Of me, and finally threw
me of altogether. Not having money
nor friends, and not wanting 10 return 10
the home which | had blighted, | was
not long In making my mind up to
sporting life. went 10 Louisville, where
| lived few months, from there 70 Nash
vile, and finally back TO Louisville. i
AdhNnNl hDDui hlA Mtthh hkO
pennies and with no clothes save an old
dress wore. ! received kind attentions
from Miss Wright, new dresses and
money, ! being very sick at that time.
Although l received every attention, |
grew worse. | thought many times OF
suicide, although one would not expect
such feelings in one like me l longed TO
see my dear mother. Many night
have wept bitterly, and l was anxious 10
let my folks know that l was still living,
but, after the disgrace had brought on
them, | dared not ask their forgiveness.
q few days ago, while sitting in the
parlor, a young man who had known
in Chattanooga entered / was so sur.
prised and frightened that / tainted
away, and after coming 10 he proposed
to take me home. l refused. After he
left was afraid he would tell my
folks Of my whereabouts, and deci-
ded TO write and ask forgive
ness and permission to return. Ny
mother answered that she would start
Immediately for Cincinnati, and would
take me home. At receiving this letter,
telegraphed that | was coming, and now l
am on my way .-
The story of bright, attractive and
young girls, with kind and luxurious
homes, going down by life of shame is
an old one, but the case Of Maud Atkins
is indeed a sad one--losing social position,
virtue, friends, money, honor and all, fall
ing to the very slums Of iniquity in the
remarkably short time of less than twelve
months
Maud Atkins is now only sixteen years
old, and, although reform may be made
the terrible stigma will follow her 10 the
grave, while her sedueer will carry on his
devilish work and DO allowed to 60 un-
punished,