New-York tribune., 1902-08-15
BEACON TO UNFORTUNATES
WORK OF MRS. WILLIAM D. HUGHES AT
CONEY ISLAND-YOUNG GIRLS
THAT SHE HAS HELPED

More than a hundred young girls have been
turned over TO Mrs. William D. Hughes this sum
rner il the Coney Island court by Justice A v
B voorhees,. Mrs. Hughes is probationary Off
Ger Of that district. Only girls OF sixteen years
or older become her charges. and Of them only
those who are as yet not hardened in sin
Young girls drift TO the island" said Mrs
Hughes yesterday. with 10 worse motive than a
good time Unfamiliar with the dangers awaiting
them here. and on pleasure seeking bent they are
easy prey TO the human sharks with which the
place abounds- In many cases mothers and friends
cannot believe that il 10 their girl who has been
found IN the dance hall or dive The girl, they
supposed was at work spending the night
with friend You would find II difficult 10 believe
that some OF the pretty. bright faced girls who
become nv charges have fallen low
While such girls are OUT on parole or probation
they either remain with Mrs. Hughes or under
her slperTision in their homes or in fnstitu-
tons. # necessary. they are taken TO hospitals
Afce- being discharged. II the girls have no place
g their own. they become guests in Mrs Hughes's
own home in institutions. All Catholics are
sent 70 the House Of the Good Shepherd Others
are placed in the Wayside Home, the Brooklyn
Training School and Bedford Reformatory Girls
with parents allowed 10 live with them pre-
viding they are kept from the streets
Il is not alone girls summoned 10 court VINO are
hefriea6ed by Mrs. Hughes. The latchstring OF
her Goor is always out and any wanderer seeking
q refuge finds il in her home. providing he or sne
can be helped. The house is seldom without
guest There have been ten at one u1ne' ana even
more
The mode Of living is frugal in the Gospel Light
house as the home is known for neither Ny nor Mrs
House receives remuneration for his or her work
What they have they share with the unfortunate
Not every one approves Of the Bible quotation
which beams by day and glows by night from the
high tower. The words. II IS said may be read SIX
miles out al when they are lighted But II Is
sure that every one IN difficulty. whether the
trouble be a lost purse Or q lost character, oenos
Ter STEPS without hesitation to the beacon when
other resources fail. Not infreQuenty girl loses
her cartare. and is at her wits ends to know what
70 DO until the tower crosses her angle Of vision
Il always suggests help. Sometimes IL Is young
boy out OF work q stranger in the place, who
straggles in He. too. is looked out for until z
place is found. TIE building comprises one large
unfinished room which serves for reception ROOM
chapel and in the winter for class and social room
The family living apartments in what would
naturally be tie balcony. ~,
Meetings are held nightly, or in fact at any time
whenever there Is q congregation II IS nol IN
usual for ChrlsJian EnGeaVor or ] oIne[ sGGeIs I
calls n persons from the street, ~ zs.,0,,.s
Early in his work al the islanc MI t1ugLless
learned that 70 help the cass Iaat most heg1Sa f
ne must submit certain unpleasant ness from
front seat and folgets to remove his hat from MS
heao 1nd MS pipe or cigar rom ms ms poFons hF ne b
has been there long he begins TO feel conspicuous
ao6aBe G feaTes PIE Meetings @ o on the beach and in
the building held regularly Sunday afternoon
Not irfreGuently persons mistake, the nature Of
tne place and come IN Tor q CTllh EoO!lISS4-lc1
they are shown the error OF their ways and are
persuaded 70 abjure the drink habit
During the winter the work Of the settlement
for thai is IL practically is. IS largely among
the children About one hundred were enroiIeo
craving classes. the kindergarten and kitchen gar
oen. For the coming season 4 is the nope OF poth
Mr.. and Mrs Hughes that some one Will volunteer
his or her services instructor in q class IN
vocal music. The children who live at the island
oUr1ag the year mainly OF poor American
parentage. During the summer they are employed
n the various resorts.
Money for lhe Go gel Lighthouse was given by
Mrs Courtlaadt De PeysJer Field, for the tower
by z. c. Merrill Of Somefyille, Mass. MI Hugnes
began the work in tent five years ago, FROM the
rrst Il has been undenomina tional, and there has
been effort at proselyting. among those VINO
1noorse the movement the Rev Dr DAVID ID
Greer and the Rev DR.. ". S. Rainsford-