Evening journal., 1921-04-30
The Story of Ella

Ella May Smith. a bright, attrac-
tive girl, just IA. was sent by her
mother to live with her aunt. The
aunt and uncle and three children
we're living IN two-room shanty
back OF colored shanty in a most
desolate country down the state
The mother and father had been
married several years, but had been
separated many times. The father
drank and moved from place to
Piace to keep from paying his debts.
Mrs. Smith, a poor ignorant wo-
man, after the first two children
came and she was deserted by her
husband. went to live with man to
whom she was not married. 1t was
not many months before this man
was called TO serve in the great
World War. This left Mrs. Smith
without a home, but she soon de-
cided to go to her brothers. He
was living in cramped quarters and
taking care of eight children of his
own. 1t was then that Ella May
went TO her aunt's in the country.
When Mr.. Smith learned that his
daughter had gone to the shanty to
live, he went to the Court House and
asked for assistance in finding a
boarding house for Ella May. As
the Children's Bureau investigates
boarding homes and places children,
he was Immediately sent to us. Not
withstanding the fact that Mr..
FSmith had been drinking and was
very vague In his statements, he
was required to give the names and
addresses Of all relatives-he pron1is-
ing to pay his daughters board and
clothes her when she was placed.
The aunt was visited, also the
mother who had gone TO Pennsyl-
vania to her brother. All of them
were unwilling to let the Bureau
make any plan for the child. The
relatives, none Of whom were proper
guardians, were told they would
either have to let the Bureau find a
suitable home for Ella May, or the
case would have to be brought to
court and the custody decided in
that way Two days later, the
mother, her brother and all the
children appeared at the Office and,
after muchopersuasion, left the child
in the care of the Bureau.
Ella May was given a physical ex-
animation and. after buying her
some new clothes. she was placed in
one Of our boarding homes. In just
a few weeks one could notice a
marked improvement in the child.
/ She attended Sunday School and had
many little friends TO play with, in
fact she was getting to be a pet in
the neighborhood. But one morn
ing when arriving at the office the
telephone was ringing furiously
The boarding mother called to say
that Ella Mays aunt had been there
the evening before TO see her (any
Of the relatives were allowed to visit
once a week.. Ella went to the
trolley with her and had not return
ed. but had gone to her mother, who
had moved to her native State. The
Bureau Immediately got in touch
by telephone, with the Bureau In
the State to which Mrs Smith had
gone. A time was set for meeting
in Mrs Smiths home town. The case
was brought up before the magis-
trate. and after careful consid era
ton Of the evidence given, the child
was committed to the Bereau in that
state. She was that day placed In
a free home known by the Society
In this home she was able to carr
her board and spending money. and
at the same time be properly reared
As the mother promised TO do better
she was allowed the privilege Of
visiting Ella May who was in towr
not far away. The father escaped
after the first board bill was sent hin
and, though numerous letters wer'
sent trying to locate him. he neve
appeared nor made further inquir!
about his daughter.
The fate Of such helpless childrei
will be decided by Wilmington an'
its response 10 the letters sent then
from the Childrens Bureau. 1
enough dollars come, not one CIR
like this will go homeless or uncare'
for.
NJ -0-O
TO CUT FRESH BREAD.