Evening star., 1912-07-07

sent out OF the city, which means that
the majority were sent back to their
homes for 43 and clothing for 172. The
number released from the workhouse was
1885, and the number released from jail g.
The work OF the society is carried on
There is a membership list Of about 800
with annual dues of 81. That however,
falls far below the necessary amount
which Is needed for the work. The Pris-
oners' Aid Society, although under the
control of the Episcopal Church and a
diocesan institution, is non-sectarian in
its work. Much of the work is being
carried on by Mr.. Massie, but a meeting
of the society Is held each month, and
only from October to May. inclusive.
Of Bishop Harding.
Many a tragedy lies hidden beneath the
arrest OF person for some trivial offense.
Such, for example. was the
Tragic case Of one boy of less than
g.. twenty years, who was ar
SS' rested on the charge Of carry
ing concealed weapons. Underneath lay
tragedy which would have borne heavily
upon the shoulders Of the most seasoned
The affair started with revolver shot
The officer who heard it rushed to the
place from which the sound had come and
discovered a boy. lying face downward.
apparently bleeding to death. It was
found, however. that the bullet had
missed It's mark and only inflicted a slight
wound. The weapon with which the shot
had been fired was tightly clutched In the
boys right hand When up for trial the
boy refused to tell his story, and the only
thing which could be gotten from him
NI,g H,l nY,t< 10 hv
not take better aim?' He refused even
to give his real name, and would go no
further than to admit he had been gently
born and well educated. He was given
six months in the wOrkhouse.
Mr.. Massie visited the boy daily, and
slowly, little by little. the story came out.
He was it seems, the son of a wealthy
lawyer who had been sent to the Univer-
sity of Chicago on an allowance that per
mitted him none of the pleasures OF life
and but barely enough to live decently.
In his classrooms he became acquainted
with the son Of widow whose husband
had left her a great deal or property IN
the suburbs of Chicago. The friend
son was taken into the young mans
home to live. The latter's mother be-
came infatuated with the boy and Sc
cret marriage was performed. The boys
coast during the summer, but the woman
sent her son out west and her youthful
husband to Buffalo. where she was to
join him later. While in Buffalo the boy
met young girl. a former sweetheart
At first sight Of her his former infatua-
ton for the older woman became intol-
erable. and in q wild moment he asked
the young girl to marry him and was ac-
cepted. Again a secret marriage was per-
formed. and the pair came to Washing
ton, where the boy looked for work. Met
with rebuffs at every turn, he finally de-
cided to spend his last dollar for re-
volver to end his life. Mr.. Massie veri-
fed all the boy told him. and after three
muted. and then took him into his own
home There he received a letter from
his second wife, Almost distracted. he
again attempted suicide. but was
only thing to do was, under an assumed
name, take his second wife and start over
somewhere. The first wife had. IN the
meantime. agreed to destroy all traces OF
second wife. full Of reproaches for his
conduct toward her. made him uncertain
whether or not she would consent to
starting over. Mr. Massie. however. still
advised that, and SO the boy finally SCI
day for their meeting in an Ohio city,
from which point they were to go west.
there to try to live down the memories
of the unfortunate past. When Mr.. Mas
sic left the boy at the station he said to
him: 'Mr. Massie. you have done more
know that il my wife meets me will
be the happiest and most grateful man
on earth. You will hear from me within
two days il she is there. II she is not
never think of me, for you'll never hear
from me again.
And" concludes Mr.. Massie, from that
day to this, have never received a word
or sign from that boy
Fortunately, however. all the cases
are not such heartbreaking tragedies
as was that and the results
Typical are more encouraging. One
such Is the case of a west
0oSos' ern man who came into
the city "heeled" without knowing he
was violating the law by carrying
weapons. He was injured in a COLI
sion, and when taken to the hospital
was unable to account for the weapon.
Not being badly injured, he was tried
in Police Court the following morning.
He refused to give his right name. but
said he had imbibed too freely the
evening before and had lost all his
money. Mr. Massie learned his real
name, advanced the money for his
chapter in this case Is to the effect that
since then Mr.. Massie receives week
ly letter from one Of the richest ranch
owners in Arizona, the owner and the
cowboy being the same.
Still another case shows yet another
side of the work done by the society.
At one of the monthly meetings Mr..
Massie told the story Of young man
who had come to Washington to at
tend the wedding OF a relative. Short
ly after reaching town he was picked
up by thugs, who took him to a lonely
spot by the Potomac, and robbed him
of his money and valuables. AS
finishing touch, they took his expen-
sive clothes. leaving their rags. and
rubbed grease and oil into his face
and hands. While under the influence
Of a drug he was arrested by police
man. When he was brought up for
trial Mr.. Massie saw his unmistak-
able refinement. After learning his
story he took him home. where soap
and clean clothing made a man of him
again, after which he left for the home
of his relatives.
During the recital Of this happening
at a meeting Of the society. a new
member was seen to be weeping, and
upon its conclusion. she rose and said:
THAT is the reason I am here. ladies
and gentlemen. The boy is my
nephew and had 1t not been for Mr..
Massie, God knows where he might
have been now. I shall remain a
member of the Prisoners Aid Society
the rest of my life
M Irfrag 7nnr nrv