The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-29
A FOOLISH GIRL.
Cut OF Her Hair and Donned Male At
tIre--Now Sorry For IL.


tIre--Now Sorry For IL.
CHICAGO Oct. 27.-Annabella Farmer,
a pretty young girl Of 20, who, disguised
as boy, ran away from her Kansas home
a month ago and came TO Chicago 10 look
for employment, is being cared for at the
Harrison street station annex. she was
found asleep on a bench in South PARK
by a policeman, who took her to the Hyde
Park station. Her father j. O. Farmer,
OF Chanute, Kan, has been nouheu Vi
his daughters predicament.
Miss Farmer is an accomplished young
woman. being a graduate OF stephen
College, n Baptist institution az Columbia
Mo. After graduating she took course
I'm elocution and music at the state UNI
versity Of Missouri She then entered
Spalding's business college at Kansas CITY,
where she took a six months course IN
stcnography and bookkeeping.
Through her fathers influence she Sc
cured government position as steno-
erapher al Fort Leayenworth. Kansas, In
the revenue office With the change OF
administration she lost her position, and
being unable 20 get along with her step
mother. she decided 10 come to Chicago.
II wish had never taken the foolish
step 10 run away from home" she said
last night. as the tears coursed down her
pale cheeks. 'Now l feel that i am hls-
craced forever. and I can't go back and
face the people who held me in high es-
TEEN before my foolish escapade. l cut
my hair of-it reached 10 my knees, al
most-so as to better my disguise. In
boys attire I escaped from the house late
at night. and I walked along lonely coun-
try roads until | came to Humboldt the
first town north Of Chanute. on the Santa
Fe Railroad. ] had purchased a ticket to
Chicago with sleeping car berth, the
day before. and when the train came
along / got aboard without exciting sus-
picion.
1T was night when I arrived in Chicago
and | went TO the Saratoga Ho,el In Dear
born street where ] registered as man.
] paid my bill in advance and ordered
breakfast brought TO my room in the
morning After breakfast I discarded the
boys suit and donned my own attire.
which | carried I'm a satchel. / walked
out Of the hotel and went directly to the
Young Women's Christian Association
homo in Michigan avenue. I was there
about three weeks. and then my money
ran out. During that time had searched
every day for employment. but without
success. ] must have answered fifty adj
vertisements. but I was always too late
not being acquainted with the city and
not knowing the quickest way TO get TO
places. In some instances ! could have
got position n ] had had city references.
After leaving the Young Women's Chris
tian Association home / went 10 the
Sherman House. where I stayed a week.
presume that my manner and dress indi-
Gated TO the clerks that was person Of
some refinement and week passed before
was sent bill. I expected every day
10 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 | start
ed out again 10 look for employment. and
tramped until / sank from exhaustion
in the park. where the police found me.
II don't want 10 go home because am
OF an Independent nature and want 20
earn my own living. IL I could only get
position / would be so happy. | thought
OF applying 20 someone Of the Baptist in
etitutons in Chicago. for instance. having
been educated IN q Baptist college but
couldn't summon up courage"
Miss Farmer shows refinement and Gull
ture In her talk Physically she is fran.
but she claims 20 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 did when left home. ."
che said. was TO kiss the hair had cut
on. and lay II anectionately on the dresser.
At college the girls used 10 admire my
hair so much. and the loss Of II almost
drives me insane at times. II my mother
had lived ! never would have had this
kind OF an experience"
Later In the day Miss Farmer found EN-.
ployment and a home. And not only this
she received an Offer OF marriage which
She scornfullY refused While talking
With Inspector Hartnctt she received the
wing note:
IS Farmer: Read OF your plight a
OF hours ago and have sat thinking
since. This ~ the result OF my think
witch ! trust you will pardon n you
n unreasonable or foolish. I am a
victim OF stepmother, too; Harvard
graduate. class OF 80; a stenographer also.
Have thorough knowledge Of printing