The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-06-03

and plenty of opportunities for stretch
ing forth helping hand to others who
need his help and advice. have
never known him to fail when the
chance offered to do some kindly deed
for some one else.
From Prison to Affluence.
had registered in one of the large
hotels in Chicago and, after calling for
my mail, walked across the wide en-
trance hall to the elevator. AS thread
ed my way through the crowd be-
came aware that was being followed.
at once concluded that one of the
omnipresent reporters was after me,
and, being weary from night journey,
I quickened my steps to avoid a posi-
BILE interview. As l stepped with sew
eral gentlemen into the elevator l
knew that had not evaded my pur-
suer. The one who had followed me
entered the car and slipped behind me.
AS we shot upwards voice said in my
ear: Little mother, may intrude?
cannot miss the chance of speaking to
you" Turning to receive the card he
extended to me, faced a tall, fine
looking gentleman, evidently a pros.
porous business man. No one could
have guessed from his dress or bear
ing that the shadow Of prison bars had
ever darkened his life. The card bore
his name and business address, and
also the number of his room, and he
asked me If would send for him when
7 cr{1 {
time. l offered the next Is minutes,
for I wanted to hear his story, as tho
words little mother" had told me that,
Incredible though it might seem, he
was one of my boys" When we had
found quiet corner in the parlor he
turned to me and, with deep feeling,
said: Little mother. have been hop
ing for this moment for years. l can
not tell you how much it means to me.
1t Is over six years now since I saw
your face last in one of the eastern
prisons" Che gave the name, which for
obvious reasons withhold). II have
known that some day l should get this
message meant of hope and new cour-
age In those dreary years Of sorrow
and shame. But until to-day have
! never seemed to be in the same city
with you in my journeyings. always
make this hotel my headquarters when
in Chicago, and l am often here to
meet business associates. When I
stepped to the desk to register this
morning saw your name before mine.
l cannot tell you the thrill it gave me,
for knew that at last l should have
the chance to speak to you again. And
now that the chance has come, how
can l ever thank you?" His voice
broke and, strong man though be was.
his eyes filled and his lip quivered.
Then he told me at length the story
which give here in brief.
He left prison to return to the wife
who had patiently and bravely kept a
home for him. He was gentleman by
birth and education. and before his
downfall he had been we'll thought of
| by his business acquaintances. He
made a very definite resolve during
those bitter years in prison that he
| would go forward to live an upright
life, and to prove steadfast, whatever
the future held for him. He deter
mined that he would never lie about
his prison experience, never seek to
avoid or cover up the past when hon.
esty demanded that he speak of 1t
frankly. He would not proclaim it to
the world, or to those who were not
concerned, especially as his two chill
dren had never known of his downfall.
but that any who were closely associ-
ated with him in business should not
be kept in the dark he considered the
only safe and just course. Despite this
fact he found many friends. He per-
fected most valuable patent that was
taken up by number of the large cor
porations Of the country, and the mo-
ment he spoke of it recognized the
name and realized the Importance of
his present work and position. In these
six years he had retrieved his fortunes,
been able to send his children to COL
lege, had built beautiful home for his
wife and surrounded himself with
fine circle of friends and business as
sociates. Yes, little mother" he said
when we parted, II knew it would do
your heart good to hear of one more of
your boys" who is making good. G.
back to those who are still where I
came from and tell them it is possible,
to retrieve the past, and to win bach:
all they have lost, If they will only
start right"
AS went to my room l said to my
self once more: Yes, it is all well
worth while"
These are but two of the many hun
dreds whose story could chronicle II
l had time. Two from the opposite ex.
tremes Of society, but they will serve
to show why my heart can sing with
Joy, even within the darkest shadow of
the prison walls, as look out to the
day-dream of hope that will bring sun
shine and happiness and prosperity to
! those for whom I am working in the
dear Lords name.
Copyright. 1910. by Joseph B. Bowlea)
Her Second-eest.
| Quakers believe in sober garb, but
they are by no means without that
quality which would be termed vanity
in "the worlds people" Aunt Peace
Lawton had this quality to marked
degree.
One day strolling photographer
asked permission to take a picture of
the Lawton family, sitting on their
velvet lawn. Mr.. Lawton gave the