The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-30
THE PROTECTION OF !;
COUNTRY GIRLS ,

In reckoning up the value Of the
various philanthropic agencies Of our
great cities the work Of the Travellers
Aid Department of the Young Won
ans Christian Association is often
overlooked though it is one of the
most effective and valuable agencies
for the protection of young women
who come to the city as strangers.
Agents of the association are sta
toned at every depot to meet all in
coming trains and watch for girls who
are alone and prevent them from fall
ing into the hands of evily disposed
persons, who are always seeking VIC
Tins for their vicious traffic. The
records of the Chicago association
show that during the past year 2.472
friendless girls have been thus pro-
tected. Most of the girls after day
or two in the home of the association
were sent back to their homes wiser
pot visitors have many stories to tell
Of the narrow escapes some Of these
girls have had. For instance: "A
pretty, rosy young girl, from the West
evidently, was sitting In the general
waiting-room and was talking to .
young man whose appearance was not
quite all that 1t should be to the WIS.,
itor. Miss Grtdley had her eye upon
them, when the young man suddenly
got up, bowed, and walked out. leav-
ing the girl in an attitude of expect
ancy. The visitor went up to her,
spoke, and asked If her friend were
leaving her. Isn't he nicer" replied
the girl. "You know, Just missed
my train for the East and have to
wait Eve hours for the next one. This
gentleman saw that was bored, and
go driving in"
The visitor suggested that in Chi
cago strange young men didn't go
driving with strange young women.
The girl was indignant at the imputa-
ton regarding her new-found friend.
"Well, I'll tell you," said the visitor;
this badge" showing police ma
irons star, will show who l am. You
say this young man is coming back
to go with you for a drive. Now, II
you'll let me sit here with this badge
uncovered, and If he comes back, sees.
it, and still openly invites you to ride,
l won't say another word"
The girl agreed and in five minutes
the young man leappeared lifting his
hat, while the young woman blushed
prettily Not till he was within four
feet of the girl did the fellow see the
star of the aid visitor, and when he
did he turned instantly on his heel
and disappeared in the crowd in q
twinkling. THAT poor girl was SO
frightened by this experience" said
Mrs. Holmes, who is in charge of this
that she clung to Miss Gridley and
would not let her away until she had
seen her safe on the eastbound train"
Regardless of everything else."
says Mrs. Holmes, "this work of
meeting women at railroad stations
is Of Importance beyond measure. No
matter under what proper conditions
to be looked after. Often, not appre-
ciating the size of the city, they may
write or telegraph that they will ar
rive by morning train. The impossi-
bility Of relation determining what
train keeps him from trying to meet
it, Often these girls haven't q cent
left when they reach station. What,
then, are they to do in strange city
whose ways they know nothing about?
I'VE have found an uncle, aunt, and
even, in one case, sister who have
written to young girls to come to Chi
cago when the only motive was to
lead the girls astray. Many Of these
have become known to our agents,
simply because Of asking how to get
to q given address. The locality
arouses suspicious, and an investiga-
tion, time and again, has led to send
ing q young girl back home, praying
for her deliverers."