The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-10

ward; Gilbert Ritchie, center; Donald
all let things slip up on us once in a
While. We're all human and we all make
mistakes, you know" He stated further
that he would look into the case this
morning.
Mr. McGrath, or rather the association
of which he is the head, has been look
ing into the case of Mrs. Trenton al
ready. Mrs. Trenton and her neighbors
state that about four weeks ago in re-
sponse to an appeal the Associated Char
tiles sent Mrs. Trenton the groceries
which have been mentioned as amounting
to about 81. Since that time they have
done nothing. If the only way Mrs.
Trenton had to get help had been through
the Associated Charities, there probably
would be a different story to tell this
morning, for she no doubt would be dead.
Ran Her Until Thursday
After that Mrs. Trenton, who is Welsh,
made over a skirt or two for negro
woman, she says; Herbert Baum bought
her ton of coal and gave couple dol
lars to a nearby groceryman who fur
nished her with some groceries and that
ran her until about last Thursday when
she found herself penniless and without
food and she again went to the Asso-
ciated Charities. She states she was told
there-she did not get to see Mr.. Nc
Grath-that they had so many cases they
could do nothing further for her and she
came home. Since that time she has
been getting the scraps from the negro
restaurant to keep herself alive until
Monday when her case came to the at
tention of c. c. Bates, who lives at the
corner of Eighth avenue and Twentieth
street, north, through Mr.. Bates negro
cock, who told him of white woman
who was starving to death. The prin-
cipal thing Mrs. Trenton got from the
negro restaurant was 'potliquor" which
the negro says is a juice left in the pot
after cooking green's, and 1t was upon
this "potliquor' that she had been keep
ing her babies alive. In the meantime,
she says. living in the filth and low,
damp room, has made her ill and she has
been barely able to get about. There is
no doubt but what the woman has been
starving herself to death to give food to
her babies, although she proudly asserts
that she has seldom gone hungry" a
look into her face plainly tells the fact
that the main remedy Mrs. Trenton needs
for her health is food.
When Mr.. Bates found her he bought
her some food and he and his wife went
to see Mr. McGrath. Mr.. McGrath said
the case would be Immediately in
vestigated' and thanked Mr.. Bates for his
trouble Monday one of Mr.. McGrath
lady employees, her name is unknown so
far, called upon Mrs. Trenton and said
food would be sent her at once Up until
10 O'Clock last night the food had not ar
rived and if Mr.. Bates had not taken some
more food into the poverty stricken home
last night three stomachs would still be
hungry this morning
Cannot Use the Stove
In the meantime Mrs Trenton and her
, two babies, Rosa aged and Edna, aged
iN-in a1a i'm
as cold as any barn in Birmingham. They
have a little stove, but the city authorities
| would not allow her to put it up because
there is no chimney built from the ground
up. All three need clothes. Little Rosa
had been going to school barefooted until
the weather got too cold two weeks ago
and she has been unable to go since. She
still has no stockings and no shoes. She
lay cuddled up beside her little baby SIS
ter in bed last night, thinking no doubt
of how she'd like to have a sandwich
instead of dreaming of that day of all
childs days which is now approaching.
Therell be little Christmas for little Rosa.
Santa Claus is a good old fellow but he's
a good deal like the Birmingham Asso-
ciated Charities, he hasn't got much use
cia ted Charites-he hasn't got much use
Mrs. Trenton is "A years old. She came
to Birmingham from England when she
| was a little girl She has been married
twice, hef first husband being dead and
| the second having deserted her. Her
present husband, she says, is a carpenter.
| She has worked as a cook and dress.
maker and maid all her life She is un-
couth and unattractive. But she's human
and she has as much proof of being good
| and honest and respectable as any of
| the poor ever have to offer to their more
| fortunate brothers. Her neighbors, both
black and white, speak of her with ut
most respect They state she is pure and
| good and is trying to rear her two babies
| correctly.
| But she'll never do it unless she gets
| some help. Mr. McGrath stated last night
| that her case would be looked into this
\ morning.
| Mr. Bates says he told him the same
thing Monday Mr.. Bates has no COM
| plant. 1t was looked into The looking
| into, however, SO far has failed to put
| into the stomachs of Mrs. Trenton ana
her babies any food, or any heat in her
house
Mrs. Trenton states the Associated
Charities promised her to look into the
matter also. Probably that's what's to be
done this morning.
But, then, as Mr. McGrath says, I'VE
| all make mistakes"
NTVON ANn DTnnT L