The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-19
NEWS IF HE WEEK
 IN SOCIETY WORLD Something of the New Branch
 of Y. W. c. A. Work MRS. WALPOLE'S REPORT Acting the Good Samaritan to Many Xouno GirIe NHb1 h..... l.. r.
MRS. WALPoLES REPORT
Acting the Good Samaritan to Many Young Girls Who Arrive in Bir. n1ngham Friendless-Many
 Interested in the Work.
BY ANNE kENDRIcK WALKER.


 who has noticed young woman wear ing the white badge of official au- thority, and vending her way among throngs of travellers
 The establishing of travellers aid at the Birmingham Terminal is at tracting attention of hundreds of peo- pie arriving and departing from the new station. It is an unusual scene as far as Birmingham is concerned, al- though in many of the larger cities both in America and in Europe one expects to find travellers aid.
 It is branch of work under the im- mediate supervision of the Young Women's Christian association. A few weeks ago the Birmingham association engaged the services of Mrsa Helen Walpole as travellers aid. When her duties were explained to the officers of the Birmingham Terminal Company they saw at once the importance of such work and kindly and generous ly contributed to the expenses of main taining it.
 Mrs. Walpole goes on duty at in the evening and remains until s a. m. In the short time that she hasfbeen at the Terminal she has been of great as- sistance to unprotected young girls, has proven a friend to the stranger within the gates, and been the good Samaritan to all in need of assistance.
 While it may be surprising to many and a matter of indifference to others the great and increasing number of people who arrive at railway stations. friendless, poor, ignorant. the fact re- mains that there is a constant influx into this city of large class of people in need of assistance in some form. Whether it is the young girl unpro- tected, and easily led into temptation, or the immigrant woman, arriving with only few cents to buy bread for a large family of children, the opportuni- ty is great for a protecting arm, or pecuniary assistance. And there is cer- tainly a surprisingly large class of peo- pie who seem to travel aimlessly, ar irving at strange stations and utter ly lost in the strange crowds and noises, They are objects of pity rath CT than of criticism.
 Mrs. Wa1poles report. which has just been made to the Y. ". c. A, covers her work for the week of January. From this report will be seen the real nature of the work of the travel ers' aid. The report as submitted is as follows:
 There have been II girls on their way to or from college to stay at the depot through the night, having arrived on de- layed trains, after cars had stopped run ming.
 One young woman was taken to the Y. W. c. A. boarding house, where Mrs. Cobbs kindly gave her bed, as she had lost her money.
 One little boy of ' years old brought by the conductor, having travelled from Colo rado by himself took him to Bassemer to his brother, John Adams.
 Money amounting to s5 has been col lected for women who were in distress and had no money to reach friends. This was passed up to ticket agent for tickets.
 Several strangers have been sent to Morris and Florence hotels to be in read mess for early Louisville and Nashville
 
 ladies had to return to the Terminal in reference to baggage, and hunted me up to thank me for sending her to quiet and accommodating hotel.
 Two ladies were taken to hotels at Il o'clock at night.
 Havee assisted one woman in locating husband, going with her to long distance telephones and various other places. Twelve ladies have arrived expecting friends to meet them. Have located rela- tives and either put them in hacks or they waited till friends arrived. Secured position for one young woman, who was in distress at losing her position.
 Have had three women of questionable character removed from depot.
 Have assisted seven sick ladies in se- curing rooms till friends arrived. Two very old couples were in distress, not be- ing met by friends, sent them to room and phoned friends to meet them in the morning.
 Took one girl to Forty-third street. Avondale, after spending three-quarters of an hour at the telephone locating brother, who was to have met her; saw her safely with friends at D. m.
 Several families, the number of per sons would reach nearly 100, have been persuaded to take rooms for the night mention this as it was the ignorant immigrant class, where the men had no consideration for the women, who would have to worry with from three to eight children while they slept on the bench
 General satisfaction has been expressed for the thoughtfulness of the two so- cieties and the Terminal company for providing lady at the depot as protec- tion to wives and daughters.
 A beautiful event of last week was the silver wedding anniversary at which MT. and Mrs. J. R. OBrien entertained on Thursday evening at their home on Rip- ley street. The home was tastefully dec- orated with ferns, palms and wealth of cut flowers. In the hall the silver tone was carried out artistical1y. Quantities of southern smilax were looped about the walls in the three apartments. The par Tor was elaborately decorated with silver tinsel intermingled with southern smilax while ferns and palms and white carna- tions formed an attractive background for a receiving party.
 A yoke of si1ver war arranged in a conspicuous place and from 1t the fig ures ss-OB-190S' were draped with southern smilax. Under this stood the bride and groom of a5ysarA
 The dining room was decorated with