The national prohibitionist. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1907-1911, 1908-11-19
November 10, 1908

his boys, that that voice out of the dark is Of no
child of his; but | forgot gratitude thinking IN
the other homes that have been robbed to makeN
this carnival of hell
1t was an hour later. The genial manager of
"The Orleans" had suggested that we pay visit
to THE Mascot a few doors away. We were
met, halfway across the 'Mascots" dirty bar
room, by tall, well-formed, American young
and I was introduced by a name that I have
been called by. We were invited to be
seated and the young woman, who proved to be
the manager, honored us with her company at
the table which we selected.
"Hear you've been importing some new goods"
said my sponsor to the woman, and then to
by way of explanations "Rose is just back from
New Orleans today"
eyes," said Rose, Give brought two kids Not
than II, either of them. Pretty young for
this country, but I guess I'll break them in quick
enough"
'But," she went on 81 came near bringing a
younger kd-only 1e and just fresh from home.
found her in the depot at Cairo, Illinois,
ming away from home. I took her with me a
SPELL but found that her folks have got money
live in Greensboro, Kentucky-and her uncle is
a banker in Paducah That looked bad. No
Joliet for me- says I, and I gave her $40 and
shook her"
In a few minutes the new goods" came down
stairs-two 17-year-old American girls, their
dresses at the shoetops and their hair braided
down their backs Just such girls as might step
out of the homes of million good and virtuous
American parents.
"Where you from?' asked one, slender
slip of lass with every sign of country birth
and education.
"Jonesboro, Arkansas; and don't care who
knows it," was the reply.
The other was more worldly wise She We
milwaukee, as her mailing port" but doubtless
lied. Her story that she told me frankly enough,
is almost as old as Woman's foolish confidnp and
mans perhdy-a boarding school, nice CONNER
cial traveller eopement under solemn promises, a
few days of happiness and an awakening in
house of shame
"But" said I, "Colon is hell. You'd better
leave and get back to the States"
The little, doll-like face grew troubled 81 don't
just like the looks of things" she said, "but
Rose a hundred dollars and I can't quit till that's
PAID
Poor thing, she little realized what heavy ball
and chain that $500 will prove.
Before leaving at the risk of my cherished
reputation, I told Rose in crisp United States
what | thought of grl-stealing.
"Oh, what's the use of making fuss" she
said. If | did not take them, somebody else
would. If you want them, pay what they cost me
and reasonable profit, and they're yours"
went out thinking, but this time they were
no words of Theodore Roosevelt that rang in my
ears. seemed to see, towering over this &C
cursed city, the form of the mighty Hebrew poll
tician, and I heard him thunder:
WOE UNTO HIM THAT BUILDETH Il
T0WM@oR DIGGETH 4 CANAL-WITH
I went back to "The Mascot dive today I
went to see those two little girls that have been
were willing to make break for liberty and re-
solved, if they were to help them out if had
to fight the whole police force of Colon, and to
IND the money to pay their passage home.