The Brinkley argus., 1910-02-18
AN Ex-BRlNKLEY LADY
Writes from c Chicago-.visits the Reform Scho0l-.An
 Interesting Letter.
39O7 Prairie Ave.
 Chicago, III.

Chicago, Ill.
 Dear ARGUS:
 How frail are human promises something like pie crust made to be broken. Every day, even Sunday, is so full duties that they glide by like dream.
 This is February and we have seen nothing but snow and Ice since the last of November. Whittier's Snow bound" looms before me nearly every day SC dark is the sky and so thick and heavy is the fall of snow almost every day. We are compelled to wade through it to fill engage ments.
 I must tell you of our trip to the reform school for boys. Lit tie knowing what 1 was to see dreaded it; but there was $10.0 0O in it for us so we gladly accept ed the request of large musical club to go and give them re- cital. It was cold, oh so cold that night! We met the accom- panist down town, had to wade knee deep through snow piles in changing cars. At last we stop ped, entered a large iron gate, then through a massive iron door into hall containing a piano, office desk and many tables with benches on each side. A big fat motherly looking wo- mah received us. 1 wondered where the boys were. We heard that the boys had to retire every night by eight, but this occasion would call for nine. At the tap of a drum in they marched two by two, took their places on the benches. The program over, which they enjoyed intensely, they drilled and were marched back.
 Right here 1 want to remark that from a chronological point of view Or. Bates was immense ly interested in the study of physiognomy and phrenology, so as a matter of course after forty years of association with him more or less of the idea soaked in with mel there was not six out of the two hundred or more with criminal faces or heads. Everything was done with pre- cision and order. After the re- cital was asked if 1 would like to see them retire. For a second was nonplused what to say, not on my own account but for the girls, Consuelo's when Mir. Whitman, a kind, good man in charge, said, Tt is all right, come along" From one end of the building to the other they marched past us in twos to the dormitory. We went through a side door up clean, broad flight of stairs to a platform overlook ing the entire room. Every boy stood at the foot of his own white enameled iron bed. Erect and stately they stood like sol diers. At the tap of a drum (one of the boys at the drum) each boy stepped to the side of his bed and got clean white night shirt from under a clean white pillow and put the night shirt handy across the foot of his bed. Another tap and off came the shoes. They were set by side at the foot of the bed. There was a pause after each tap for every one to get ready for the next move. It was comi- cal to see how quick and accu- rate some were and how clumsy others were. 1 presume the 'poky'' ones were new corners. A tap, off went coats, neatly folded and laid across the foot of the bed; a tap, and off came every shirt. No under shirts every little body was bare, but the room was thoroughly com fortable. A tap, and on went every night shirt another in- terlude.
 Dr. Bates once requested me to look after sick dude" in a