The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-07-22

world know the shame of my poor
Mae?" she shrieked as she heard the
newspaper man make his inquiry.
"Oh, Mae, why did you do it, Why
! did you do it,"
Reginald spoke In a kind. sympa-
thetic voice, seating himself on a va
cant chair beside the stricken woman.
She wept Historically for few. mo-
ments. Then she became calmer.
How old was your daughter2" Regl-
maid asked after a pause.
The woman made an effort TO con-
troll herself as she answered. Twenty
one"
Tell me how 1t happened" Regi-
maid looked inquiringly at the mother.
Reginald's presence and his questions
seemed to give relief to the woman.
Mae went to work yesterday Just
as usual" she began, wiping her eyes,
''She looked as well as ever, and !
thought to myself as she went out Of
the door that there wasn't a nicer or
prettier girl in Bronson than my Mae"
Here the mothers voice weakened
somewhat, but she braced herself and
continued, when she came home in
the evening 1t was later than usual,
and asked her what kept her so late"
Where did she work." asked Regi-
maid.
AT the Gregory factory"
There was pause.
"She told me she had a bad head
ache and that she would not take any
supper, and soon after she went to
bed. In a little while l heard her
grooming, and | came into her room.
and she was lying in bed in great pain.
l called the doctor at once, and he
came in little while and said she was
poisoned"
what doctor did you call?' inquir-
ed Reginald.
"Dr. Gracely. He did everything he
could, but all he could do was to give
her opiates to quiet her pain. She
didn't think she was going to die at
first and kept saying she would soon
feel better, but as the night went on
she got worse, and when she saw how
sick she was she tried to tell me some
thing, but 1t was too late"
The mother broke down utterly as
she repeated these words, and Regi-
maid decided to leave.
Before returning to the Courier Of
fee Reginald visited the Gregory fac
tory to learn what he could regarding
the girl. When he called at the office
he found that Roland Gregory had not
yet arrived at the factory, but he re-
ceived permission to interrogate some
of the girls who worked alongside Of
the unfortunate Mae.
The girls at the factory had evident
ly heard of the tragedy, and they were
much moved at the sudden death Of
their fellow worker.
In the afternoon Reginald attended
the inquest DR.. Gracely made a full
report of the examination. Death had
been caused by poison, evidently self
o..
There was a sad reason for the rash
lct of the girl" said the doctor. "Her
,ase proves that some of the charges
recently made in regard to abuses in
factories employing women and girls ,
Ire true. If only the death of Mae
Mobray could arouse public sentiment
o the absolute necessity Of public con
rol Of such industries the poor girl has :
lot died in vain"
The words of DR.. Gracely made a 9
impression on Reginald Mel 7
on, and in his account of the tragedy I
q the Courier he quoted the words of G
he doctor, writing up the story in '
UGH a vivid manner that for a num- t
er Of days the tragedy was the chief s
opic Of conversation. A
The week following Reginald depart {
q for the Illinois town where Billy O
unday was closing @ campaign. The
Dung Englishman was delighted with O
lis assignment as he was anxious to 1,
Ieet the baseball champion, Of whom o
Ian Rutledge had told him much. t
As soon as the evangelist knew that Il
eginald was the city reporter Of the t,
ronson Courier he gave the young II
nglishman a most hearty reception. n
"Glad to meet you, Mr.. Nelson" he
rclaimed. "How is my friend Rut- t.
dye getting along in BronsonT" ri
Reginald explained In what high re- c
lrd the Iowa minister was held and ly
Id Of the purpose Of his own visit.
II suppose the Bronson devil Is get III
1g little nervous" said Mr.. Sunday, In
It'll laugh. "He generally gets stir Il
d up when he hears l am hiking his
ay." 81
Reginald assured the evangelist that W
nple preparations were being made to
ID that he could depend on a vel
me to the Michigan city. at
Our paper, the Courier, Is planning sa
give you full space every day while
u are in Bronson" continued Regi- m
Id. Oh
The power of the press today is fe
lrveL" replied Mr.. Sunday, speaking Y
rnestly. THE newspapers are help sn
3 me save men right along. l cannot
too thankful for the support they on
We given me-" to
You are a paying proposition for to
> newspapers responded Reginald sli
ilingly. ah
TYou bet" answered the other M