The advocate., 1895-09-18

the evening wore on the housekeeper
informed her that business hours Of the
house were approaching, and she had
better go, as some one might see her
there
She finally left, promising to see them
again. While she was in the house an
incident occurred that showed her in
nocence and inexperience. One of the
girls upstairs had male visitor, and
hearing the others speak OF Nellie"
she asked them to send her up. The
woman was attired in loose wrapper
and as the girl entered the room she
carelessly threw 1t aside. Nellie gave
a startled look at the pair, and then, hid
ing her face in her hands, she ran from
the room.
do they act like that down there?"
she asked of the housekeeper.
''You see worse sights than that here,
Nellie" answered Miss Grace.
Later in the evening Policeman Will
liams was notified by Miss Drury of the
girls visit and of her refusal to take
her in.
The following day, at about the same
time, the doorbelI of the Drury house
rang again, and Ella Miller again eros
sed the threshold of a house of shame.
There was a nervous excitement in her
walk and manner as she asked the ser
want for Miss Grace.
When the housekeeper went down
stairs she found the girl sitting down
and almost in tears. AS she entered
the door the girl sprang up and, clasp
ing her hands, said:
Its all right now, Miss Grace"
What do you mean, Nellie" said
the housekeeper recognizing her former
visitor and holding out her hand.
II mean that I can stay here now"
said the girl. And there was a note of
sadness in her voice as she raised her
swimming eyes and spoke those ter
rible words:
II am a lost woman"
She recovered herself in moment
and said:
''Let me tell you my experience"
Just then the doorbell rang, and the
housekeeper went to the door. 1t was
Ida Drury. who had been out driving,
and she was informed of the girls
second visit. She Immediately went
around to the police station and noti-
fled Policeman Hodges.
He returned to the house with her
and talked some time with the girl. He
asked her if she wanted to lead a life of
shame, and she replied:
mo, sir; do not"
Hodges took Nellie around to the
s.t>
to the matron. She was then sent to the
Faith and Hope Mission, where 1t was
thought she could find employment
She evidently found none. When her
new-made acquaintances next heard of
her she was one of the unknown dead
of a great city, and not until her identi
fication was established did they con-
meet the Ella Miller, who made such
an impression on their minds, with the
girl who found refuge from the cares
of the world in a watery grave.
The lives of the employees of the Wash
ington cable cars are held cheap. The
men are Obliged to ask for a lay-off for a
day, and so it goes, the health being un-
dermined all the time.
What is the matter again?" I asked
of one.
"Oh, don't know" he said, Il don't
eat my meals regularly. Sometimes
try and eat on the car, but have to
get it down so quick that don't know
that 1 have anything TO eat"
Now, gave him something for tenn
porary relief, but he will be deathly sick
again before night. You can say for me
that these men will be bound to go
down.
The men have to fast for nine hours;
renutable nhysicians declare that 1t