Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-13
Does Indianapolis Need
Shelter Home for Girls ?
Laurel C. Thayer Paints Not Uncommon
Complication Experienced IN, City.
Portrait by Stone

woman who had accompanied Mary from
the courtroom. But there were reasons
why the girl could not so into a home
with children.
The hospital from which Mary had
that day been dismissed. the very day
she was arrested for vagrancy. said they
could not readmit her. She had begged
SO to be dism issed had made so much
trouble for doctors and nurses. that she
must find some other place they said.
They had allowed her to go, investiea-
rion proved. because she had declared
she had work and a place to live with
a friend. By this she had meant the
third floor back.
Mary had been taken to the hospital
one day a month ago from a downtown
street, where an auto had struck her
when she had alighted frcm a car For
two weeks the injured ankle was in
cast All Mary knew Of the autos owner
was his last name.
He gave me these shoes" Mary said.
"and thev cost him SIP. He and his
wife brought them out to the hospital
the other day"
Yes, there were homes for girls but It
was useless to call them up This was
not the kind Of case they are equipped
to handle
A semi religious institution had taken
Mary for a week one time during }ler
last search for employment.
why not go back there. Mary. until
you find work ?" the girl was asked.
No; WOULDN'T
HAVE HER.
They will not have me, was the quick
reply.
4 telephone call confirmed Mary's re-
mark, and the added Information that she
has very bad record; besides being un-
truthful, she had sung suggestive songs
to other girls whose little boats of life
experience had stayed moored to the
shore Of respectabllity.
The kindly young voice on the phone
was saying: I'VE would like to help
Mary, hut We must also protect our
girls. Have you tried the" tine kind
" voice asked.
Yes. this Home too, is impossible"
1t was now ive-thirty. and the stores
werc pouring forth their throngs Of en-
ployes.
Another Institution was called.
IF the girl is all right, We wiz take
her" came as a death kneu 10 rising
hope. Another door was closed. There
were hotels, and a very meager charity
fund, but to leave Mary alone at hotel
was unthinkable.
And then the face of an elderly woman
a spiritual mother to maynard girls
flashed across the mind of Mary's would
be helper
If she viii harbor Mary, the girl Will
not be left to pick up with a stranger
tonight, she thought.
FINDS PLACE
FOR ONE NIGHT.
If sha refuses?
She did refuse.
A little gray haired woman heard
familiar voice on the phone. But she
has no place to stay tonight" It said
And then something happened in the
brain Of the little woman who usually
can finj room for one more girl.
Yes, you may send her, but l can
keep her only one night"
Il will work. and will be a good
girl | viii show the world that l
appreciate your Kindness" said Mary as
she took tie street car.
Such pledges are not assuring to
those who know the moron type, for
Mary, too had a chlld's mind in a BODY
that had seen twenty summers.
The shelter for one night only had
brought Marys problem even more
wildly the next morning when she ap-
peared at the office of the city court
81 got up early this morning" she
said land washed and irOned this waist
and cleaned the room. l want to show
EN- that l thank EN-. But my ankle
hurts"
'Will you obey the nurses and not
make trouble if l send you back to the
hospital?" Mary was asked.
Yes indeed" came with a smile that
bespoke happy relief from present dis
tress
The hospital was desperately appealed
to- and Mary re-admitted
When its doors closed upon her, such
provided, however, only temporary pro-
lection. Dismissal will come. Then what?
VIII there be the same old round of
inquiries ut Institutions to ask their
doors to open to a homeless, motherlesS
girl whom no one wants.
VIII she be arrested again for being
found on the street?
VIII shs find work in some unsuspect-
ing home2
- 80 mag