The daily sentinel. [volume] (Grand Junction, Colo.) 1893-current, 1904-06-17
"A PrOdi9aI Daughter. .

Some twelve years ago 1 became
acquainted with family by the
name of Miller. who resided in lit
tie cottage on Rood Ave. this city
The family consisted of mother and
two little girls. the father having
died some time before. Having been
left without means of support. the
mother was compelled to take in
washlngs. in order to keep her family
/ together. Eager to do their part the
little girls used to gather the clothes,
in a big basket, before school and re-
turn them at night, Juggling along
with their big load as bravely as more
able persons could have done. This
went on for several years, although
the little ones, Notwithstanding their
hard work continued to keep up with
their classes in school. as was evil
denced by their regular advancement
through the different grades. They
were also in demand in all of the
oratorical contests as we'll as in the
Sunday school-always doporting
themselves in most creditable man
ner.
Years went by and our little friends
developed into young womanhood.
To say that they were beautiful and
charming young ladies is simply stat
ing a fact. They were respected and
entertained by the best families in
our city and admired by all who knew
them.
Like other young ladies they were
! lovable and affectionate. and their
company was sought by young men.
one of them being deceived and her
life ruined, by her seducer, for she
had loved much" her atfianced leav-
ing her to the tender mercy of the
thoughtless world.
When she realized the full extent
of her degradation she lost all interest
in life, caring only to be out of the
presence of those whom she had form
erly cared for, and rushing out into
the streets in the dark jumped into
a wagon and drove off not caring
whittier. only to hide her shame and
avoid the sorrow of her mother and
sister.
Several days later she was found by
the sheriff. out ON the desert, in a
! pitable condition, brought back to the
city, tried, found guilty and sentenced
to the reform school. When her SEN
tence expired she was again turned
out. without friends, money, or home,
to- regain her lost position. or yield
to the solicitations of the one who
would provide for the present, at
! least, the necessaries of life. Under
, such circumstances. she chose just
what ninety nine out of every hundred
would have done-friends and protec-
ton.
After drifting about for several
years, sne returned to her old home.
to find it deserted and herself an out
cast, only welcome at the houses of
dissipation and by those forsaken, like
herself. Even here she was not al
lowed to rest, but was Immediately
arrested and taken into court. as a
violater of the law, by the very
church, and others, to whom she used
to recite her Sunday school lessons,
and who had taught her that we
ought to be merciful ,''even as we eX-
pect mercy :" where she had heard
recited the teachings of the Master
always humane. always charitable
where she had been told to sympathize
with the afflicted, and lift those who
were in distress.
In that whole great court room Of
people. many of them avowed Chris
tian men, women, and children. she
was alone-Aye, worse than that, her
sins were being magnified and their
black shame heaped upon her. by
those whom the Master had command
ed to follow in His footsteps. l do
not doubt but that those men and
women THINK that they are doing
Gods will but do not believe. that
the meak and lowly Nazarene. would
have remained with them single
moment, but would have been by the
side of the prisoner, cheering her up
and speaking words of comfort in hel
ear.
Spread the cloak of charity Life is
but a tragedy, filed with tears.
closed in grief
Let us not willfully make it more
of burden than it is, by filling our
jails and reformatories with those
who must, thereafter go down to
shame, for this is not Christianlike,
it is not humane.
We are none of us VERY good-no