New-York tribune., 1906-07-11
NO PLACE FOR HER.
Unless Woman GiUes Up Babies
Charitable Societies Refuse Help.

II have been to every charitable organization
sn this city. or at least 20 every one know of,
asking for help. All want is a temporary
shelter for myself and my two children, till my
husband makes home for again. At each
OF these organizations was offered help on one
condition. must give up my children, must
put them away. I said would sleep out under
the sky first, and we have. One night we spent
on the 18th street pier. One night we got shelter
in a ferryhouse. BY day I have walked the
streets with the children, and would be doing so
stiu, I suppose. il Hattie hadn't taken pity on
Us and taken us in"
II was up in a little hot room in the old frame
building on Seventh avenue. just below 10th
street, where Hattie Ross the Negro missionary
lives. Hattie has taken number of uniortu-
rates into that little from time TO time
but none ever needed help more sorely than does
this sad faced Homah Mrs. Brosnan. a history.
TOO. has Mrs srosnan, and her speech alone
shows that she is not exactly an ordinary
woman.
one little a:iing child. seventeen months old.
.sy !n her arms. The other. curly-headea boy Of
sopr yea:s. dressed in a girls ragged apron.
csnnc 20 heg knee.
Two weeks ago." Mrs. Brosnan said 10 a
Tribune reporter. my husband. who is brick
layer. was assaulted and robbed Of his weeks
wages which he had just drawn. l generally
have asked him for his money the minute he
brought It home, knowing he might spend il for
drink and he would always say, Certainly,
Mamma. Il VIII he safer with you than with me-
This time. however, because Of a new rule he
drew his money on Friday, and didn't know he
had Il. lie went with of the men for
drink. some one decoyed him into doorway,
knocked him down and took all he had. Two
days afterward he came home to me. his mouth
sll liberated from the blow he got. and his
pockets empty.
'Our rent had just fallen due. 1 think the
agent, who knew us, would have let stay in
the rooms but some neighbor had to go and
tell him that my husband had been drinking.
Well, we were dispossessed.
''ThRf night found my husband in a saloon.
and I went and asked him to with me-
Just TO prove to me that he was not drunk he
walked deliberately into a nearby police station
and gave himself up You see, he had been
drinking that Irish whiskey. which affects the
head but not the legs. The sergeant searched
him and found a flask of whiskey in his pocket
and so. Of course he committed to Jail.
THAT night I and my children found shelter
with friends in 10Th street. But the house is one
where babies aren't allowed In my friends
fat. too were several girls who work I'm the
day. and need their sleep. Ny baby was fretful
ana cried till had 10 take il outside and sit on
the steps til daylight
That morning went TO Commissioner Bow
ers, al llfh street and Third avenue knew
he looked after dependent children. He gave me
sealed letter addressed to Superintendent
Jenkins, Of the Gerry society. On my way to
the Gerry Building-carrying one baby and lead
ing the others-I stopped at my friends in 2Oth
street. They said TO me. Are yom so foolish as
d 70 present sealed letter. one concerning your
own business2 You have a right to know the
contents of that letter before presenting it,
Il opened the letter Tt contained directions
that my children be taken from me and put in
charge of the Gerry society-pending an in d.
vestisatiOn' of my case
Il didn't present that letter went. how
ever. 20 the Gerry society. They were very
polite 90 me. but told me that / must give my
children into their charge before they could do
anything for them.
Il said couldn't part with my children How -
Elsneing az the fragile baby in her arms could
any one but its mother have patience with a
cross peeYish baby like this? 1 couldn't let il
so. told the clerks there that all l wanted was
a temporary shelter for my children and myself
have KNOWN" Mrs. BrOsHan went on -'of cases
wbere little ones We're given in charge Of the
Gerry society and the parents afterward wanted
ana were quite able 10 take care Of them, and |
knew me trouble those parents had 10 get their
children.
''Finally some one in tie society rooms referred
me to the Association for Improving the Condi-
ton OF tie Poor, and they took me up there l
cav there some grey haired ladies. who first gave