The San Francisco call., 1896-06-27

destitute and practically deserted by the
bread winner.
The wind was blowing strong and cold,
but nowhere in the vicinity was it blowing
stronger or more coldly than on the indi-
vidual slope of Beulah Park where was
the forlorn dwelling place of this unhappy
family.
The park is not generally associated
with squalor and poverty. 1t is the scene
OF religious revivals and its very name sig
nifies peace In the tabernacle, short
distance from the abode OF unhappiness,
the songs of Zion are sung daily and few
nights ago scores of people were so happy
at having been "horn again into the king
dom of life and happiness" that they
were overcome by the power of the Para
clete. So the evangelists said. The place
is owned by millionaire, who is credited
with being notably generous, and "God-
bless you" resounds in the camp from
morn till midnight.
In such place no one looks for misery.
Within the sound of the sweet singing of
many Christians the cries of hungry, cold
little children and of faithful, suffering
mother are not expected. But they are
there, within the confines of what is con-
sidered by those that dwell therein an
earthly paradise.
Mrs. Prescott, agent of the Children's
Society, visited the place to-day and
learned a heartrending story from young
woman who is pale. rather pretty and of
delicate build and frail in health. He
name is Mrs. Talbert, and she has been
married ten years, although she does not
look to be more than 25 years of age. Four
children have been buried and five are
with her in the tent, which is small, and
on the windward slope of Beulah Park.
A baby of months old is very i'll and was
never strong. Another of q months of
age is also i'll. There is an old stove out
side the tent which has passed the day of
usefulness.
William Talbert, the father, has been at
the Harty mining camp, Shasta County,
about year where he is employed irregu-
larly. He sent his family to Oakland
about month ago. His wife had one dol
lar in her possession upon arriving here
and did not receive line from her hus-
band till this morning. Contrary to his
promise and expectation the letter con-
tanned neither money nor mention of any.
Cruelty and want have contributed their
share toward clouding what was once
as is very evident-an unusually bright
mind and making devoted mother at
times an unsafe companion for her little
ones with whom she is alone, except when
an occasional tenter invites them to make
brief call.
So far as food is concerned, the family
have been without any, except what few
friends have carried to them, and the frail
mother says that they have made up for
the lack of food by an extra allowance of
water. On one occasion, when she had
three babies nursing the bottle at one
time, she was obliged to crawl around on
her hands and knees to get their milk, be-
cause of a severe attack of rheumatism.
Several times she has been forced to get
up when her baby has been but two days
old and care for her family. To make
matters worse, it will not be long before
there is another little member added to
the household.
The father was written to-day and asked
what he proposes to do. An effort will be
made to have all the children provided for
and the mother given the treatment her
condition demands.
at is the saddest case have met" said
Mrs. Prescott tonight.
'sThe cause of it all seems to be lack of
responsibility on the part of the father, in
addition to intemperanc, and general
worthIessness. Out of all this there is the
consequent cruelty that naturally follows.
And the mother is a bright, proud little
thing, who richly deserves the best of care,
if for nothing else than for her fidelity to
her helpless little ones"
When CALL man went to the tent at
dusk the night was rapidly growing colder
and the air was damp.
"We cannot cook anything tonight"
said the frail woman, because the wind is
the wrong way to suit the stove. We have
had plenty to eat to-day, because some
friends came here; but many days we