The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-08-10
OLD HOUSE HAVEN OF EX-CONVICTS

or freed from prison on parole. and to
secure laws that will help us deal better
with wrongdoers.
That's a pretty big contract that the
prison association undertakes. But its
growth and increase in power and wealth
snow that II achieves its purpose year
by year. So effective are its methods
that il is looked to with confidence by
least likely to trust any one in the world.
How Ex-COnvicts Are Aided.
Come indoors and see how the associa-
ton does its greatest work.
The door bell rings and a pleasant
faced young woman lets in a big, broad
shouldered fellow. who takes or his cap
and twists it round and round in his fin
gers. The young woman brings him into
the cool, shaded front room, gives him a
seat, fishes in a drawer for a blank card,
and settles to asking MIN questions in
so matter of fact a fashion that he is
restored to a degree of ease.
He's just out Of Great Meadow prison,
yes, a'am; came down on the las train.
Been there two years. grand larceny.
He's got the promise of job: the Prison
Association knows about it; it's with So
& So, the trucking firm.
The young woman deserts her card and
questions for a woment while she looks
through file.
,, Here it is" she comments after a
short search. $50 & So have a job wait
ing for you. Just go round there to-
morrow morning and they'll put You to
work. They're pretty good people: they
| take a lot of men who come to US, and
they know all about you, so you'll be on
the level from the start. Now, where
are you going to spend tonight?"
I've a brother up in Harlem"
"All right. What's his address,
Bron.ed Face Tells story.
1t is recorded. and also the fact that
the visitor is going to live with his
| brother for the present.
Now, IL anything slips up let US know
| right away" advises the young woman.
IF you lose the job or anything like
that come to US. And be sure to report
here in a month and let US know that
you are getting along all right, anyway"
He looks a good deal relieved and.
fidgeting with his cap. starts to thank
her when o. F. Lewis, general secretary
of the association, happens to pass
through the room on his way to his office
inf back. Mr.. Lewis notes the bronxed
complexion of the stranger and guesses
he may be from New York States splen-
did farm prison, where the men work out
of doors all day.
Flows Warden Homer" asks Mr..
Lewis. An expression of real concern
shows itself on the former convict's
face
Were afraid he's pretty bad" says
the Great Meadow man. when I left
they didn't know about him. Right after
he got home from Gettysburg he had a
stroke or something. All the boys are
feeling bad about it,
Guess they all like him. don't they?''
observes Mr.. Lewis. with the picture Of
the big-bodied, kind-heafted warden in
his minds eye.
"Oh. sure"' comes the reply. They're
wishing they could do something for him.
But they can't do anything-except be-
have while he's laid up and not cause
him any trouble"
Pale-Is from Stag sing.
There's moment or two further talk
and then No. 3f3 Great Meadow says
goodby without having been able to
thank the young woman and Mr.. Lewis
for that job-it's hard to ind the words
some times-
The next arrival Is q pale-faced fellow
who looks a. II he had undergone hard.
shin o. Q pretty ssvsre kind Hes from
3 r.