The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-24

Rosie COlIahder, Sixteen, would Die Tor the
Lack Of Q waist and skirt

Little Rosie Collander is in Bellevue.
When she IL discharged next Tuesday
she may return to the wretohed life in the
crowded Ghrystie street tenement, or
she may be allowed to 60 to work In the
sweatshop as she wishes, 30 as to earn the
clothes for lack Of which she tried to kill
herself yesterday.
1t was barely 8 O'Clock In the morning
when her brother Max rushed out Of the
house at 0 Chrystie street and told Police
man Boerner through his sobs that Rosie
had taken poison. in a twinkling Boerner
had DR., Smith from Gouverneur Hospital
on hand and Rosie a pumped out. Then
she was taken TO the hospital, medicines
were given to her to allay the Inflammation
caused by the iodine she had swallowed,
and by II O'Clock Rosie stood before the
Magistrate In the Essex Market police
court.
She was a pitiful little creature who
| didn't look to be more than IL, though she
Ia really 10 years old. But she had a wealth
Of brown hair that was piled artistically
on top of her head and her eyes were dark
and sad. While she was awaiting arraign-
ment she told her story.
The girl had never been outside New
York. Her mother and father came to
America from Austria and little Rosie
often heard her mother tell Of the beautiful
green fields in the old country, though she
herself had never seen 30 much as a tree or a
blade OF grass outside the East Side parks.
She went through the second grammar
grade at the public school and then came
the sweatshop. Rosie didn't mind that
30 much. for there were other girls to talk
to and through most Of her earnings went
iowa I'd the common support, still she
was able to buy at time some trifes for
her own a~dornnent.
Rosie's brother William leaped from
the roof last January and killed himself.
Then the mother broke down completely
and tried to follow. An ambulance surgeon
ga we'd her, but thereafter she was a wreck.
Rosie had to leave the sweatshop and take
care Of her mother, who went about the
tiny flat nervously wringing her hands
and filling the house with her cries.
This continued for several months. Then
came the preparations for the Passover
and Rosie wanted some new clothes. Her
father, working long hours with his push
cart, was barely able to pay the rent and
provide food n Rosie could not have her
wish.
she said; now you will have to buy me
some white Ones and she swallowed the
Iodine.
When they brought her before Magis-
trate Mayo the child stood with tears
yelling from her wide open eyes and fall
ing in a shower on the Magistrates desk.
why did you try to kill yourself?' asked
the NJ Magistrate. .
Because they were not kind to me and
they would not get mt any new clothes
or let me earn them. It was only a waist
and a skirt | wanted. These are all the
clothes ! have and she showed the Magis-
trate a torn green sweater under her soiled
jacket and her faded, fimsy skirt.
why could you not get these clothes
for your daughter?' asked the Court of
Roeie's father, who stood beside her. also
in tears. -.
Il am only a poor pushoart man, Judge
was the reply. Il work hard, but l nm
able to earn only a bare living. ! couldn't
buy the clothes, though / wanted to-
Then Rosie told the Magistrate the whole
sad story and how hard it was to stay in
the house when she wanted to be at work
in the sweatshop.
you should place your wife in Bellevue
said the Court to the father.
"She would not CO. was the reply.
AT least you should have this child ex-
amined. She may have inherited melan-
cholla and might attempt to kill herself
again. said the M Magistrate.
Il am willing replied the father.
Then the Magistrate turned to Rosie
and, speaking kindly TO her, induced her
consent to go to Bellevue for examination.