The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-22

'O' """hWhIu career tnat she was near
ing the inevitable end Of all such
women. Her quarters we're mere box
in ground floor tenement. There was
door and one little square opening up
near the ceiling that let in light and
air from well.like rourt. Lamp or
fire she had none, her bed was mere
bundle OF rags Her clothing consisted
OF a pair of old shoes and cotton
Srapper made in a Chinese sweat.shop
On nail against the wall hung the one
insignia OF her awful occupation-a
Saudy gown of crimson, with lining of
gold, demi.trained aud embroidered
with lace as gnudy as the garment.
There in the gathering gloom OF the
December evening lay the figure Of the
scarlet woman who bears the sins Of
ytiie world, wearied Of life, the last
shreds Of existence with pleasure ami.
Inflated here was pitiful.wrcck. luath
some even 10 the most degraded unless
iire'l with liquor. Mary had just been
informed by the physician, who escort
cd the policeman over this district
once week that she could not
live long and that she must he taken
to the hospital and undergo an opera.
tion, from which lew recovered
Her mind was dazcd ai first, but now
grew clearer. II was made up. Next
day would bc Sunday aud she would
have her children come to see her. The
policeman would send them word She
would take the poison and while they
should never learn from her the awful
story of her life, they should learn it's
lesson from witnessing her death. II
was the only legacy she conld leave
them. But first sho would vet see the
one woman whose hand had never
turned her away Whose speech was
always kin1. She would 20 to Mother
White and ask her Ia pray for her
Ont through the CRIME and slime oi
the court aud down the misty slippery
alley she wandered 20 whore hack from
the street stood the little frame house
called her home. When SHE was there
the doors were open day and
night TO all who came for food, shelter
or comfort to struggling soul wander.
ing in the depth Of perdion.
"Why Mary, child OF love. il il YOU"
was the strange but CHEEKY greeting, ~
Mother White led her into the sitting
room.
"Mother White, have come To ask
You TO pray for me The sOcial product
Of the slum sank in heap by the agod
womans feet.
Mother white was SILENT studying
the heap of fallen humanity before her.
you have always told me that
could come TO you when was ready to
abandon my life, and am now ready 10
give IL up
There is more rejoicing over one
soul saved from the burning, than over
thousands who have lived right lives,
said Mother White.
"iut | am going 10 die and shall
lose my children. ! can no longer sup
poft them. have nothing to live for.
God can give YOU life and health,
aud save yonr children ior you II you
will but accept His holp."
THAT Is what you have always -aid,
hut cannot believe II.
MARY, can pray for you. bat I will
not do ~ until you have done what no
one can do Tor YOU. Unless you confess
your sins and repent and ask Gol 10 ior-
give you, might as we'll pray ior the
woolen figure in front of q tobacco
store TO bc savcl as for yon.
'Oh, Mother White. I cannot do 10. /
have been one oi the worst women in
the town"
"lon have been hal bnt not the
worst. I leave il 20 you io decide
whether shall pray i,r you. Got in
In hi- infinite love can heal you and re-
store you but only contritc soul can
approach the fountains ol the heavenly /
blessing aud feel the health that iiows
from the great river ol life"
"Oh, Mo,her White, I do not under
stand all you say. Pray ior me anl let
me 20 and shall see my children once
more and then | shall b. ont 81 this
world Ny sins and my disease. are
incurable."
"Alary, YOU shall never leaye my
house. until ym consess 10 God your
sins and ask his forgiveness. when Ne
will unite in silent prayer for your
lie can make you every
whit whole and neW aid clean, but
broken ani a contrte spirit alone can
receive merry at the throne oi grace.
Aud sl.e saw at her feet q womas
aailing and writhing in an agony of
sorrow and anguish such a. ia all her
experiences with repentaui criminals she
iad never witnessed. She sought 10
.ooihe the woman IN whom ali the evil
Ipirits that strive aiih humanity seemed
% be- contsnding Tor supremacy.
My child, SiIl leave you 10 make
and ask Tepeniancs in secret
Il our Heavenly Father who hearcih in
ecret. MAJ God b. merciinl 10 you .
sinner, AMI then will come and pray
sith yon."
Concluded Saturday.