New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-04
WORK OF TRAVELLERS AID
HOW MISS DURFEE LABoRs AMONG THE
UNPROTECTED.
SHE Is AGENT FOR SYRACUSE ASSOCIATION
THAT CARES FOR THE STRANGER
WITHIN LIS GATES

ohL ID ANLNl fOR a o1RACISE ASSOIiAiloN
THAT CARES FOR THE STRANGER
WITHIN ITS GATES
There has been recently started In Syracuse a
travellers aid" which has already demonstrated
It's usefulness In the cases for which 1t was
primarily intended. Strangers aghtng at the
railway stations greeted by the sight Of a
pleasant-faced little woman In a blue uniform.
wearing a close bonnet. and upon her breast n
badge In the form of silver triangle. This Is Mrs
Lydia Durfee. whose ready hand and sympathetic
voice soothe the tired and weary traveller while
her keen perception and good Judgment have en-
abled her to afford assistance to young girls when
service is most needed. Varied are the cases which
have been brought &c her notice. The methods
adopted by Mrs. Durfee vary according 10 the case
A few days ago two young girls went from Auburn
TO Syracuse to find work. They were both about
fifteen years Of age. attractive and pleasing In
appearance. One OF the girls. obtaining work. re-
turned to Auburn for her clothes leaving her COM
panon to await her return. Being attracted by the
stores, she took a stroll about the city. and in 50
doing lost her pocketbook containing not much. to
be sure. but all that she possessed With no
knowledge OF the city and without friends 20 aid
her. she finally apnhed to the Travellers Aid
who upon learning her story. took her In charge
gave her her dinner and kept her until her friends
return.
Another case. somewhat similar. was that Of a
girl who had come to the city to take place TO
which she had been engaged. Carelessly she LEFT
her satchel containing clothes in the vestibule OF
the Central Station. returning a moment to the
ticket Office. Upon her return her satchel was no.
where to be The girl was taken TO the
Womens Christian Association Home. given a
dinner ard assisted 10 her place. The police were
notified and a search instituted. The satchel
was subsequently found. with contents intact. In
vacant lot in the southern portion OF the city
few evenings ago a boy only three years or
age arrived at the station alone. but for some
reason his friends failed TO meet him. His name
and an address in Seymour-st were fastened upon
his dress for identification. The little fellow was
badly frightened at being alone among strangers.
but Mrs. Durfee took the little lad in charge ana
after allowing sufficient time to elapse 10 insure
the fact Of his friends not coming. she started out
with her charge in search OF them Upon making
application at the house designated on the tag she
was surprised to find the family knew nothing
whatever of the case and also said that numerous
kilograms had been received that day addressed
similarly but OF which they had no knowledge
Mrs. Durfee finally thought to try the next p'ock'
and there she discovered the childs friends. VINO
were overoyed to welcome the little traveller, ana
who by reason of the wrong address. were una
POSSIBLY one OF the most valuable revolutionary
TrayeT 0rNdsH' says
Punishment from the station Of the many young
has to eary on rtatons with any stranger who
happened to be attracted by them $500.
These girls" said Mrs Durfee. FOR the most
part, not entirely lost TO honor ana dd not
realize TO what end their course was tending Ihey
were light and frivolous and congregated there Ios
the purpose Of having what to them CONSUMES
out as many twenty girls OF an evening, Dui
now all that is changed and they are not allowed
TO loter about the station unless business WIFI TIC
road demands their presence Ia. ..,
The necessity for home In connection WIN TINS
work is felt 10 be great. the two or three rooms
at present at Mrs. Durfees command are quite IN
sufficient for the demands upon them. strange as
II NAV seem" declares Mrs. Durfee. NEARLY every
night brings some young woman 10 the city unat-
tended without home and friends ana o1ten VIII VIII
ont money Many Of them are young ana attracmVe
and entirely unused TO the ways OF the world; me
great citv at midnight thus uncared for are some
thing awful contemplate. and the need OF a
building apart for this purpose OF pelFleHuHe
homeless ard friendess girls Is great