Omaha daily bee., 1888-10-28

tuition. About two years ago this
amount was voted by the lawmakers,
and the ladies neXt looked for a loca-
ton. 1t was supposed that somebody
in or near Omaha would donate sufi-
Gent ground for a charitable
institution. But, no; everybody
was too crazy over real estate
and too anxious to speculate to think of
giving anything to the sweet cause OF
charity. Mr.. Lantry near Florence
kindly offered seven and one half acres
and the city of Milford offered forty
acres. The latter offer was accepted
and the building is now in course OF
erection on the land donated. But,
while this building was being slowly
constructed, Mrs. Clark felt as though
she must do something tor a number OF
girls who she knew were anxious to re-
form and conceived the idea OF estab-
fishing Immediately a local home. Her
efforts resulted in the formal dedication
OF the ''Open Door" on the nineteenth
day of August Of the present
When the home opened, SIX girls
sought refuge there and since then the
number has been increased to eighteen.
Formerly, destitute young girls, who
had been ruined and became mothers
were sent to the Home for the Friend
less, but of late this institution has
closed its portals to them and the 'Open
Door," so aptly named. has decided to
give them a welcome and extend to
them sympathy for their unfortunate
condition.
Some persons have been unkind
enough to suggest that this institution
was similar to the disreputable place
unborn infants were criminally dis
posed Of, but a moro cruel ~misconcep-
ton of the motives Of the ladies at the
head of the 'Open Door" could not be
imagined. The institution is not for
the purpose of fostering immortality
and crime, but Of lessening such by aid
ing young IN who have gone astray
to lead pure lives, and by protecting
them until homes can be found for them
in some remote locality.
Since the institution opened eight
weeks ago, five births have occurred
and four more are expected soon. The
mothers range from fifteen to eighteen
years, and the sight OF young girls who
ought to be at their books in school
but are instead bearing all the cares OF
maternity. is a touching n and fur'
nishes an eloquent text for the moralist
The girls are without exception pretty
and intelligent.
One Of the objects of the
open DOOf' Is 10 uuu HOuie'
for the innocent little cooer'
and to bring them up without knowing
the shame of their parents. The CIR
mothers surrender their infants to thu
home and they are given to person
who promise to adopt them and swea
never to disclose the ~parentage OF tn
child. The young mothers are not ever
allowed to know to whom the child
given, as this might cause trouble in tn
future. For four months the adopte'
child is kept track of and then formal,
surrendered If everything is salts
factory.
The inmates Of the Open Door ar
kept religiously excluded from the gaz
of the curious and wen the residents c
the nearest houses do not get a peep q
them. Neither visitors nor ven mem
beers OF the Woman's Christian Temper
ance union car see them, Hence tn
absurdity of building Il high board fenc
about a place whose inmates shun pull
lie notice as carefully as a hermit.
Many suppose because some OF tn
women in the Open Door have led live
Of shame that the ribald song an
coarse laugh Of the depraved courtesa
are common at the institution. But thi
t would never be tolerated. Women VIII
do not sincerely wish to reform are. NJ
: allowed to stay. 1t Is a notabl
: TACT that oil the reformed oyPrisl