The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-24
on his Journey. This, wo feel will go
far towards elevatinE his manhood In the

right direction.
Ton years ago, March. 1885 a young
man 20 years Of ago scholar In my
GLASS was released, ahcr spending about
two years in the penitentiary. lie came
10 my place OF business. where ! well
coined him cordially, and aided him in
fixing Up his personal appearance, kept
In touch with him all dny. and IN the
evening took him to- my home, served
him with the best meal I could
prepare on short notice, and spent
two or more hours with him In
In the parlor in pleasant conversation, in
which l learned his mother was In lgno-
rance as to his whereabouts and he did
not now Wish to pain her with knowl-
edge OF tho fact. His home was In Phila-
delphia, and urged him to return, which
lie promised to do, after putting himself
In proper condition. He went from here
to Newport News and worked in tho
ship yards, saved up his money. alfred
himself in better raiment, and then went
to his home. I called On him In HIS
home In Philadelphia, was introduced to
his mother by him ne his Sunday school
teacher when in Virginia.
Before leaving my home that night IN
question, exacted from him promise
to write me once every month. selecting
some particular day, and on the 2lst OF
every month look for his letter. to which
Immediately reply. and that correspond.
ence continues to this day. cannot tell
you how many OF his letters contained a
bill, but quito number Of them did, ana
the last remittance was ten dollars. with
simply slight remark, ''use as you see
fit In helping some poor fellow along.
The Philadelphia company with which
he associated himself transferred him
to New York, where he has been for the
past few years, and whenever l go there,
| write him, he calls on me at my hotel'
aid we always spend an evening or TWO
together In social fellowship.
An Appreciative Case.
When was there In September, my
wife was with me. He called on us and
showed us many courtesies and did SO
in n dignlned. graceful and gentlemanly
manner More than once has he told me
that he owes his reformation to his re-
ccption, treatment and encouragement
shown him. stranger In strange land,
adding, that but for that with the NOR
tifcation he felt, he would have possibly
again gone astray, and might once more
have been an occupant Of prison cell
Another case is that OF n young man.
q years OF age, convicted ofScrime, after
spending nlnet long years behind the bars.
was released. Mr.. r. a. Lancaster, OF
Richmond. securing 1t for him, personally
calling at the prison, conducted him to
boarding house operated by the Brother
hood of ST. Andrew anu presided over BY
n motherly matron, who opened her heart
to him. and the loving nature Of the young
man obtained permission to address her
ms mother. and he proved to be son to
hcr indeed. Employment was found for
him, and when the home was finally
closed he rented n house. furnished it,
and took her to his home and told her
to always consider 1t as her home, this
has been only five years ago. and after
overcoming every obstacle he has to-
day responsible position at the Loco
motive Works. enjoying the confidence OF
the officials who know his story, but see
in him now man OF honor.
One OF the obstacles he had to overcome,
possibly year after his release, was in
connection with the street car company,
when he was employed by them as con-
ductor. One day In going out to the sheds to
take his car, the superintendent told him
he would have to put him on, 1t having
come to his knowledge that he was an ex-
convict and the men would not work with
him.
In his modification. he came at once
to me, knowing me better than any one
else having been in my class for 80 long
a time. told him not to worry, would
attend to his case, and at once started
to do SO. I saw Mr. T. 3. Doherty. labor
commissioner, and enicited his sympa thy,
tend the union OF street car men at night
when in session. Mr. Doherty accompany
ing me, and both Of us addressed the I'M
lon. AS the close of our talks the body
rose as one man, attesting their wiling
ness to welcome him as one OF them
OF course. he was pleased and appreciated
their act and would have returned but
the Locomotive Works. finding him SO
valuable, prevailed on him to stay with
them. where he now is, and Is doing so
we'll.
He has married most excellent woman,
his manly bearing and candid CONCESSIONS
to her family overcoming the very natural
objections a mother would raise at tne
thought Of her daughter marrying o''e
with his prison record.
He Is CONSTANT member OF the
church, and though he makes no eHort 70
conceal his past life from those ne THINKS
should know 1t, yet he has won as firm
friends all he has met and overcome
entirely the prejudice that necessarily
arises towards one who mas passeu
through an experience similar to us.
A Pulling Question.
the after care or ex-convlcts is at
times n puzzling question, like the train
ing of children different methods have
~ te applied to meet the different tenn
nerament Of the subject but In my judg-
ment one unfailng rule OF confidence re-
posed in the man Is a long stride TO-
wards restoring him to his manhood.
on one occasion, one Of the eX.'s was
in my place of business and my bank
bow being out, I asked him to go and
make a deposit for me, he seemed pleased
and with 500 started. and though 1t was
nearly a mile TO the bank. he returned
ir a short while with such bright ex-
u l
rot imagine how happy he was. While
he felt he had the confidence of his
friends. yet this was the first time he
had been entrusted on such mission.
Don't understand me to say such an
act would be wise in nll cases, In q
mans weakened condition and impaired
will power, such an act would prove
temptation. to some to which II the man
should yield, would bring down on the
head of the one so cntrustnG him, to
say the least commentator for good
49,, tio,u hit condemnation for poor