The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-03
|OFFE[ HOUSE Opened.
a 4 Small Basement on South
Main Street for tho
Deserving.
Small Beginning Which Prom
isos to Grow Into a Large
Institution.
rhe OF the Opening Night some-
what Disturbed but Finally sweet
Winged rcace Came.

RL YIN A&Nt" 49, L
winged Peace Came.
Strains oil sacred song loated up through
. barred opening in tho sidewalk IN ffont
,f 81 south Main street last night at eight
o'clock. The locality il not such as to make
hia = nsual occurrence. In a few minutes
.eyeral mel lounging about a saloon door
. few feet away moved toward the opening
Ind peered through tho dust covered
window below. Here and there in the
provd below the red shirt of a Salvation
srmys soldier added color to the scene. ~
was tho opening Of coffee and lodging
house BY the Murphy Gospel Temperance
Union, In this basement many a man may
meet a mile stone in his life back to which
be NAV look without regret. Thu marrow
dark stairs leading to the basement were
soon crowded with member OF the union
and a good many curiosity seekers. In ono
corner opposite the entrance was y
cottage organ. A small pleco
OF paper hung on the wall over it on which
was written mo Smoking here When
the chairs were all taken lemon boxes and
boards were pressed into service. At the
end Of the narrow room toward the street Q
small platform held the chairman OF the
union. Dr., W. N. Billiard, several women
and Billy SCARF, the reformed pugillst,
whose broad shoulders and closely cropped
hair made him a target for all eyes. Mr..
Smith. president of the Helena Painters
nnion, who was Il constant attendant at the
Murphy meetings, figured prominently IN
the meeting. Between the prayers ana
sonps several men with blue bbons III
the b%uttonholes of their coats told
of their struggles to overcome the
drink habit. One of them had signed the
pledge three times and failed to keep it,
hut he believed he was on the right road
now because he believed in Jesus Christ.
down tho steps, look in ana
hesitate. Come in. brother" was tn 9 IN
vitation, and then a sweet-faced woman
would take him to a seat. One young man
had not in the room ten minutes before
he signed the pledge, while = handsome girl
placed the familiar piece OF sllk N ms ouL-
tonhols and smiled encouragement through
her eyes, which brought = wonderful
change in his countenance. Hope and high
resolve smoothed out the lines OF despair
and dissipation which were traced on his
face before he entered the room. A rude,
unCouth looking ielAo" WIZ A0ouoN nn"sc
very much and whose seedy clothes told OF
nights dozed away on barroom hoors
rtnmbled down the stairs. He reminded
one Of Foss' Volunteer OrGanist, who FILLED
tho house of God with the odor Nv old
Rin.' He brushed his way through the
crowd and swept the sweet scented silk of a
Young woman who stood near the organ.
She did not finch. The wreck OF humanity
reached the place just at the close of the
mesting. He would not sign now
but when he got ready would sign it for
good. This il the way they get rid OF the
Some of the men had heard that there
was to be free coffee a%ndlunch. and wanted q
square meal. Not every ono will get some
thing to eat for nothing. The deserving
will be taken care of. "Spongers' and old
soaka who imagine that they will be able
The place has been put in charge
Of a man who has great judgment,
acquired during a long service
while working in the sums. The doors will
open at seven a. M. and close at midnight.
PRAYER meetings will be held every
evening.
There was great commotion for a time
when Billy Sears found out that he was not
to be placed in charge OF the coffee house
This was something he had set his heart on.
When 1t was announced that Mr.. Ssmple
would run the place thero was music in the
ElI, uO AASUb4Ak t"N6 N'SA1
np. Billy stood on the platform and it only
required a little imagination to transfer
him to scenes of the turf. His head was sci
il a logged way and the eyes cleaned with
an old light. The women surrounded him
as only women can. pleaded, entreatsd, dld
everything, but he would not give in. Or
the outside of the circle of women stooc
the men. care you 4 reporter" asked one
The man who gets q salary for recording
local events said yes. We'll, don't pu'
ANYTHING in the paper about this" 1t DO
came necessary to exrlaln that Interpreter!
town every day taking snap shots
thav a 1nes u rpiu.d and SOM son
other man does the rest. Billy got ava.
from the women finally and bolted mp tn
stairs. Secretary Conner, of the Y. M. G
A., with a red face. moved around anon,
those who remained. pouring oil upon tn
troubled waters. Sears bolt carried u mum
Der with him. but enough wero left to JON
In n prayer.
nthe rear of the room was a stove and o.
the walls hung some tin pans. One or tw
tables, some crockery and a few other ar
tioles stood about. In q few days every
thing will be in running order and thing
will run much smoother. The union has
president, four vice presidents, assistan
secretary and treasurer, look out committe
md ladies auxiliary committee. DIR. Bul
lard is the chairman of the board Of d1
%rectors. The union hope to do a good dea
Of good for fallen humanity. ANY OF
whom they may pick up will b
we'll taken care of while he is being put i
shape for work. Employment will be OBJ
tanned for him and he will be aided n en
couraged to become n better man. A
present there are no accommodations ia
dodgers but as soon rs more funds are oh
tanned beds will be provided. Donations q
cash, groceries, furniture, or anythin
which may be useful about such q place wi
be greatly appreciated by the union. "-
Have you tried tho now perfume, Swiss / lac,
the most lasting and fragrant odor known? Et
sale only at the Bee Hive.
lTx,a,yA1,jrr n ,ut- cIssa ut tt,A AeIau0 C0f