The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-09


 The society, however, volunteered to have it's agents visit the children bene- fited by this special fund, and report on their cases in the same manner as the cases of the POGO children placed during the last decade. Today, 922 children who were merely existing in squalid surroundings at the time the S10O0D donation was of fered, are now really living.
 Of course, there was no sentiment or romance in the donation which has given these children their rightful heritage. But the workers who have carried out the donors plans and who have seen the re- suits achieved, say that even the coldest business proposition cannot help but de- velop some sentiment where children are concerned They argue that when lit- tie boy, whose mother is dead finds the desolate spot in another woman's heart and creeps in there and takes away the ache of loneliness, even the cold commer- cial dollar which has enabled him to find that desolate heart acquires some senti- ment. And the reports which they have of the 322 children who have been given a new view of life by the business mans practical donation. bears them out.
 Data for many a novel are contained in these reports. The stories of the tiny human derelicts who, like Sarah Crewe, have been whisked from the tenements into luxurious homes, where every ad- vantage is given them, read like fairy tales. but have the added charm of being true.
 Here is the true fairy story' of littlc Johnnie Smith. (Smth is not his real name. It wouldn't be fair to give thaD
 Johnnie never had any parents that he can remember. An agent of the Chil- dren's Aid picked him out of ''newsie' s'' brawl in the streets one day, and induced him to go temporarily to the societys farm school, in Westchester county. The regular life of the farm palled somewhat on this little product of the streets, but, at the same time, he didn't want alto- gether to go back to "the old game,'' as he characterized his former precarious ex- istence.
 "Td like a chanct to get some school in'" he said to the socletys secretary, who visited him one day at the farm school, "but I don't want to go to a home where there's wimmen. I never had no mudder an I don't want no wimmen tussn' over me. I want to live wit a man."
 The society at that time was buying the first consignment of "homes' from the $10,000 fund. Secretary Brace decided to invest $50 for the former "newsie" Providence guided the agent of the soci- eyt to the home of wealthy but lonely bachelor of Delaware. The bachelor be- came interested when he heard of the lit- tie street gamin's plea to Tive wit a man." and sent for the boy He took an immediate liking to him and decided to give him the "chanct'' for which he yearned. The boy made good" and is today preparing for college. He has a saddle horse and all the luxuries of son of wealthy parents. Moreover his bache- Tor foster-father is so pleased with the boy that he is taking steps to adopt him 1 legally.
 A typical girls case is that of sunny haired, 5-year-old Oracle.
 Oracle was one of three unfortunate children whose mother had deserted them and whose father was unable to provide l for them The society sent her out to | where she was taken into the | nome of a wealthy doctor and his wife. | There are two reports on this little girl. | The first of these reports, made in De- | ,ember, 1905 reads as follows:
 Grace -, years old. Was placed | with Dr. -, at -, Nebraska. | Dur agent reports: There are no chil- | lren in this home. Dr. and Mrs. - Ire quite wealthy and have a beautiful | lome If they become attached to Grace, IS they appear to be doing, she will have | lot only the comforts of life, but the
 
 If our local committeeman reporting on he children, said Grace - Is getting long very nicely, and money could not ,uy her from Dr. and Mrs. It | las made wonderful change in their lome.' "
 In January, 1908, later report was made on this same little girl. It reads
 ''Grac0k years old, continues yell and happy with Dr. and Mrs. -, f Nehra ska Visitq of Fahr-f,a | :, 1907, and December 8, same year, very Grace is as nicely clothed s any child in town. She is a well-man- cred little girl, and goes regularly to chool, church and Sunday school. Money ould not buy her from Doctor and Mrs.
 -. The doctor says that if Grace lives he shall go to Vassar college. During l he past year they took Grace on visits 0 friends in Boston and Portland, Ore, nd had fine time.'
 Graces older sister and brother were laced in good homes in the same town.
 Ax.1- t. non -I<sI IsJ..... |