Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-05-24
A FRIEND OF THE UNFORTUNATE.

ing of happy home, who was banged
around the world to be taken care of
eventually by the state of Vermont,
and sent to the industrial school at
Vergennes, where he was brought un-
der influences which have developed
him into what promises to be useful
citizen. He is now employed in the
machine shops of the Central Vermont
railroad at ST. Adams, where he has
developed bent for mechanics out OF
the ordinary.
This boy, whose name is James
Malloy, some years ago came under the
notice of John E. Weeks. chairman of
the penal board. and to Mr.. Weeks he
gives the credit of being what he is
today. While yet of tender age he was
sent out from Boston, one of those waits
that the state of Massachusetts is con-
stantly seeking to place in homes
throughout rural New England. He
was sent to Salisbury, and it was here
that Judge Weeks first saw him. and it
was from that town that he was sent
to the industrial school.
About four years ago, having
reached the age when he desired to do
something with view to becoming
self-supporting, place was found for
him at St. Adams. When Mr.. Barss
accompanied him to that city they
called on Father O'Sullivan, who is
parishes in Vermont, the boy being of
Catholic parentage Father O'Sullivan
interested himself in the boys cause
and saw to it that he had good home.
Although the pay in the machine shop
was small at the beginning. the boy
was able with work done outside his
regular hours to earn enough to sup
port himself. Judge Weeks and Father
o Sullivan both assisted him with the
result that he is now earning his own
living, having about completed his ap-
premiership. Ex-Gov. Smith, who is
president of the Central Vermont rail-
road, and who is interested in the well
fare of his employees, is also doing
something to help the boy along.
Having now grown to manhood and
his apprenticeship being about COM
pleted, he expects this fall to enter
Wentworth Technical Institute in Bos-
ton, with a view to continuing his
studies in mathematics and mechanics,
hoping to become some day a master
mechanic himself. On recent visit
to the industrial school, he learned that
Judge Weeks, was candidate for lieu
tenant governor, and feeling grateful
him, he asked the editor of this paper
to print testimonial of his regard for
the chairman of the penal board, be-
| lieving that the people of the state of
! Vermont ought to know how much has
been done for him by Mr.. Weeks. Mr..
| MallOy's letter is as follows:
To the Editor:
Knowing that the Hon. J. E. Weeks
is candidate for lieutenant-governor
and having known him for the last
fourteen or fifteen years, it seems be-
coming for me at this time to say a
| few words that will help the people of
| Vermont to know the sort of man they
have chance to elect to high Office.
came from Boston home for das-
titute children and was placed in IA
different families before | was finally
adopted by man in Salisbury. Owing
to difficulties and misunderstanding
Vergennes when | was 13 years old.
Both before and after my commit
ment Judge Weeks showed the person
al interest in me which he has since
manifested in so many ways. While
at the industrial school, received the
| inspiration to make something of my
| self.
The ideals of Mr.. Weeks, as carried
out in the teachings of the school,
stirred my ambitions and led me to
seek to accomplish something worth
while in the world.
When wished to learn a trade, Mr..
Weeks made it possible by aid and en-
enlargement for me to get through.
! For two years, he paid for my clothes,
and for practically everything which
needed and which | could not buy
! Although now earning enough to be
self-supporting [, am still dependent to
some extent upon his generosity.
desire now to enter technical school
in Boston to secure higher training,
and Judge Weeks has said he will stand
| back of me whenever | need help.
When I had been working for some
time, my sister in Minneapolis, after a
separation of Is or l6 years, learned
of my whereabouts through the school.
Mr.. Weeks showed the most intense in
| tereSt in this circumSt lance, and, when
| later had a chance to visit my sister,
helped me with the expenses of the
trip.
Another incident will show the
strong interest he has taken in me and
reveals the kindness of the man. The
legislature of 1915, as a token of the
respect they bad for him, presented
him with gold watch. Shortly, after
ward, received from him the gold
watch which Mrs. Weeks had given
him sometime before as birthday
present. To pick out poor boy, who
had no claim on him. for gift which
would have made any one of his many
friends proud, seems to me a splendid
example of the great-heartedness of
the man.
My case is only one of many of which
[ have personal knowledge. Quietly
and unostentatiously. wherever boy
or girl needs encouragement or assist
ance, Judge Weeks may be depended
on to give what is needed. This is not
restricted to those of his own creed-I
myself an Roman Catholic in good
standing-but his sympathy and help