The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-17

capable settlement workers in this city and her success during her years of serv- ice has left her gently grateful and eager for further service toward her unfortun- ate sisters. Her life has been one of unusual interest Most of it was spent in missionary work, much of it in foreign fields. as her father was also a mission ary and she accompanied him.
 Entrance into the home proved that it had bright attractive surroundings that might bring happiness to many homeless girls. Dainty paper had been put on the walls of every room and chosen with an eye for taste as well as durability-the same spirit that is shown elsewhere in the house-to give to the inmates as many of the reinements of life as may be- In the cosy dining room a fragile set of Japanese cups and saucers were ready on the sideboard for their next serv- ice Those" explained Mrs. Carr, ''are my own" "Why, aren't you afraid they will be broken?" l asked-a breath of wind might have blown them away Dear me, mo-" was her quick answer Nothing is too good for my girls Thus, with love she expects to conquer the erring ones who come to her and to strengthen the weak.
 There are at present only three inmates in the home-the youngest a pretty little girl of 14 years. She can't read or write and is unfamiliar with any illnd of house work. Just here the purpose of the home may be explained. The girl agrees to re- main in it two years, during which time she will be trained to do any class of work for which she proves especially fit ted, whether house work, plain sewing, laundry or fine needle work. A plac9 will then be secured for her and her well fare will even then be watched over by the good women who are so interested in friendless girls. of we find that a home is not suitable for one of our girls said Mrs. Carr, i've shall, after sufficient trial, find another for her. because I realize that between mistress and maid there may be the same incompatibility that we find exists between members of the same grade of society. It does not follow that servant is hopeless just because she can't please one person, nor does her 1 mistress prove herself difficult because l she has not secured the best results from | her. So by finding their vocation we ex- pect to prepare our girls for right living. l The little girl that you have seen here ! this morning is an example of the varied l things that may send a girl from home | Left motherless she was in the charge of an older married sister, who. while kind, | was not interested in her. There was no training either in books or those do- | mestic affairs that women must under stand. The sister finally moved away and the father, knowing or caring little about what was best for her. left the city after placing her in the charge of the Salvation Army. This institution, great and broad and beautiful, was still not the place for child like Mary. Con l tact with the characters from every stage of degradation could not but be danger ous for such a child, for she is young even beyond her years. Yes, 1t Is al- | most unbelievable that a father could be so utterly devoid of feeling as was Marys, but my dear, you do not know how many | similar cases have had. A lack of sym | pathy between mother and daughter, the willingness on the part of the mother to give up and feel that her girl Is worth less so often sends her from the parental roof tree"
 There are at present only three girls in the home-two of them women, indeed
 One was a married woman deserted by
 her husband after he had treated heI
 brutally. The other is i'll, and to both has
 been given a refuge such as they have
 never before had They are as happy and
 contented as can be. Another is expect.
 ed shortly-a woman whose husband is ir
 1ail and who is in a terribly nervous
 state because of threats that have beer
 made upon her life. A dainty white bed
 was placed for her in Mrs. Carr's fresh
 clean little room, for such is her swee
 charity, that even the worst of her
 charges is given the benefit of her pres.
 ence at any and all times. She is, in
 deed, for every one of them Mother
 Carr"
 The Girls Industrial Home is not con-
 fined to one class. It is refuge for any girl who feels the need of real friend
 There are three classes of rescue
 homes" said Mrs. Cass; 'the first is used
 for the reception of the girl who comes ' to town probably from home in the country and has need of the protection
 and spiritual advice that may be given her
 by some older person who has her welfare at heart The next is for the wayward
 and thoughtless girl who has taken one misguided step and would be glad of an