The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-26
GOT NO EMPLOYMENT.
Y. w. C. A., of Which She Was
an Active Member,
Turned Her Out When Her
Money Was Gone.

Chicago, Oct. 26.-Much comment has
been aroused against the management
of the Y. W. c. A. home, 22S Michigan
avenue, because OF the treatment ac-
corded Miss AnnabeI Farmer. the young
girl who ran away from her home in
Chanute, Kan, and was found by a
park policeman overcome by exhaustion
after having been turned out Of the
Michigan avenue quarters, because OF
her inability to pay for accommoda-
tiOnS.
For almost a week the young woman
has been lodged in the Harrison street
station. I'D to today no reply had
been received from her father to re-
quests for transportation home, and Of
ficers of the Y. W. c. A. of which Miss
Farmer was an active member in Kan
sas City, have, she says, not tried to
help her in any way.
Late yesterday, however, Miss Far
uer found employment and hOme-She
also received an offer of marriage, but
this she refused.
A letter was received from the young
lady's father today saying that he was
dependent on his pension for support,
and would not be able to provide for
her expenses home until the next pay
ment was due. He requested that she
secure employment until then. The let
ter was signed: Hon" ]. Q. Farmer.
Miss Farmer is an accomplished young
woman being a graduate of stephens
college. a Baptist institution at COlum-
bia Nc. After graduating she took a
course in elOcutiOn and music at the
state university of Missouri. She then
entered Spald1ng'S business college at
Kansas City, where she took a six
months course in stenOgraphy and
bookkeeping.
Through her fathers influence she
secured a government position as ste
nographer at Fort LeavenWorth, Kan,
in the revenue office. With the change
of administration she lost her position
and, being unable to get along with he
stepmOther, she decided to come to Chi
cagO.
I wish I had never taken the foolish
step to run away from home. she said
last night, as the tears cOursed down
her pale cheeks. Now 1 feel that 1 am
diSgraced forever. and 1 can't go back
and face the people who held me in high
esteem before my foolish eScapade. I
cut my hair Off-it reached to my knees
almOSU-SO as to better my disguise. In
boys attire L escaped from the house
late at night and 1 walked along lonely
country roads until came to Humboldt
the first town north of ChanUte-On
the Santa F'e railroad. had purchased
a ticket to Chicago, with a. sleeping
car berth, the day before, and when the
train came along got aboard without
exciting suspicion
1T was night when I arrived in Chi
cagO, and I went to the Saratoga hotel
an Dearborn street, where I registered
as man 1 paid my bill in advance
room in the morning. After breakfast
discarded the boys suit and dOnned
my own attire, which I carried in a
satchel. 1 walked out of the hotel and
went directly to the Y. W. c. A home
on Michigan avenue. I was there about
three weeks, and then my money ran
out During that time I had searched
every day for employment, but without
success. I must have answered 80 ad-
VertisementS, but I was always too
late, not being acquainted with the city
and not knowing the quickest way to
get to the places. In some instances
could have got a position if I had had
city references After leaving the Y
N c. A home. I went to the Sherman
house, where I stayed a week. I pre-
sumo that my manner and dress indi-
Gated to the clerks that was a person
of some refinement, and a week passed
before was sent a bill. expected ev-
cry day TO find work. and I used to
walk the streets until I was exhausted
I was told very politely by the Sherman
house cashier that unless I paid the bill
owed, would have to leave. With a
weak heart and an empty stomach.
started out again to look for employ
nent. and tramped until I sank from
exhaustion in the park, where the po-
lice found me.
I don't want to go home, because I /
am of an Independent nature. and want
TO earn my own living. If I could only
get position I would be so happy. I
thought of applying to some of the
Baptist institutions in Chicago. for in
stance, having been educated in a Bap-
tist college, but I couldn't summon up
courage"
Miss Farmer shows refinement and
culture in her talk. Physically. she is
fran. but she claims to be able to do
large amount of work. Her hair. a
beautiful auburn. is cut close to her
head at the back
The last thing I did when I left
home she said, was to kiss the hair
[ had cut off. and lay it affectionateIv
7n the dresser. At college the girls used |
to admire my hair so much and the
loss Of it almost drives me insane at
times If my mother had lived I never
would have had this kind of an exper-
ence."
CLAY CENTER REUNION
-ittla Politics bnt PIen to nf Ca |