Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18
SAVES AND BlESES,.
spnna STREET HONE SEEN FRon
THE INSIDE.
THE INSIDE.
RESTITUTION WORKS SILENTLY.
ksar to the Restless World. Yet
isolated and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
women Work Tor the Denen. Of
Enh.ppy Girls.

s )
During my first few years in Rschmotid
often noticed. with interest as passed
II quaint. grey brick house. with gable
ends at right angles to the street sur
rounded by q large yard. which was en-
closed by a brick wall 80 high as 20
shut out all view OF the premises within
, A bit OF country left In the midst OF the
city and as isolated from its neighbors
ae though the houses had not long since
gathered in around IT'S tall enclosure.
often wondered who occupied this dwell
ing and thought what an advantageous
one 1t would be for those needing at the
same lime seclusiop and the benefit Of
fresh air and exercise within its spa
ctous grounds.
A few years ago circumstances led
me inside the locked door in the pro-
fecting wall. aid ] entered the old ter
raced yard and country garden. with Its
long grape arbor. old-timey fruit trees,
box-edged paths and great ancieu.
bushes OF familiar shrub flowers.
Many times since my first admission 1
have sat with different inmates OF the
place upon the vtne-covered porch OF
stood with them among It's shrubs.
Never shall forget the beautiful girl
whose hands held in mine. beside the
f;ttte magnolia tree before the porch,
her tears dropping IT, the ground. ard
her head bowed until only the glowing
crown of golden hair WIS IN sight, the
:oveliest hair have ever seen. and yet.
perhaps. its shining meshes were but a
net IN which her young life was shared,
Her beauty was he ruin!
GILDED PRISON OF VICE.
When ! met her she was most IN
happy girl, lately persuaded by q noble
Christian woman to leave a norTipfe-
eilded prison Of vice. her health wrecked.
her spirit crushed. She was now just pre-
pairing to return to relatives. who were
naturally antagonized md mortified In
tensely by her course. and che greatly
dreaded going back to them. Soon after
RECLINING her family she wrote begging
to be received again into the shelter of
she safe refuge she had found on leav-
ing her life Of sin. She was cheerfully
welcomed again and the expenses Of her
long return journey paid by friends of
the Home In Richmond. Consumption
had meanwhile rapidly developed. and
she died in very few months after ]
met her. Put earnest ministers and
faithful women visit that secluded Home.
and its matrcn is Kind Christian moth
er to every lost girl who enters those
grey brick walls. Through these friends
this poor child found her Saviour some
time before her death. and the last da. $
OF the repentant girl were full of peace
In leaving world she had found SO BIT
terly disappointing. full of Joy and glad
ness In entering one that to her was full
of hope
Beautiful. unfortunate creature! What
would have been yourafate but for the
refuge Of that asylum Of peace insice
the locked door In the wall when you
gave up your former life? l could speak.
If space allowed. of other peaceful. hope
full deathbeds beside hers. OF lives ended
In Christ here. that had formerly been
passed with the black curse Of vice upon
the bloom Of their girlhood.
Many times of late years have visited
this Home. and some Of It's inmates
have often come to me. Never have !
gone there, never have I talked with
the quiet Christian girls who have en-
tered upon q new life through resi-
dence there, without wondering why. Of
ell tho many charitable and religious in