New Britain herald., 1925-07-23

NShti t1oh Slllill uIA Allt III lSl WOlldl to preside over the house of repre- sentatives, got herself sentenced to prison.
 Guiltless of any crime. she sought answers to the questions
 Are our prisons humane?
 Can a girl, crushed by her fellow men, regain her place in society?
 This Is the twenty-third story, written for the Herald.
 By WlNN1FRED MASON HCCK Former Representative to Congress
 from Illinois
 But I did not approach the wal tle man at the corner.
 ] did not want another job in Pitt sburg. l only wanted 10 got out of town, Something of the real hu- initiation that an cX-convict under goes every time his past catches up with him 1 suffered during the n- terview with the hotel man who discharged me,
 was craving pastures new
 Why l chose Cumberland Md, for the next episode l have never known, Perhaps It was fate.
 l arrived there at in the eve ming. There was no Y. W. C. A. and the people at the station had vague ideas concerning boarding houses
 l found cheap restaurant with hotel attached. There l got a room for a dollar.
 In the morning, I started out to look for work. l looked all day. And the next morning. l started all over again. I applied in 1o cent, stores, restaurants and shoe stores.
 Funds Low
 Days passed, My funds were very low. l counted my money and found that l could not spend another night in the hotel. But l was still hope ful, for there seemed a bare chance of my landing q job in a shoe store l had visited the day before.
 l ate a discreet breakfast --- dis erect financially -- and stepped out with the assurance which a good nights sleep always brings.
 At the shoe store my hopes were shattered. The manager wanted nothing but experienced help.
 Then ] went 10 candy store that had advertised for help. It was not yet open.
 So I went to millinery store where an elevator girl was wanted, They had just employed one.
 l hurried back to the candy store. It had just opened, and a girl had been engaged while l was at the millinery store.
 My spirits were as low as my finances. began to wonder whether the city jail was comfortable.
 If l did not get work that day would eat my last bit of change, go to the police station. tell them l was broke and ask what they were going to do about t.
 l shivcrcd at this thought but l meant to follow if.
 And I considered what 1 might have done, if had been really d thief just released from prison,
 With background of shnplifting or pocket picking, however good my present intentions were, l might have found temptation too strong for me. Once the barriers have been let down, it is all too easy to com promise with ones resolves and 1 take the easiest way out.
 That afternoon, as | walked the . streets and wondered !. where the next 24 hours would take i me, l saw q newspaper office.
 Feeling Reckless
 was feeling reckless, and I ] thought "Why not" l would make a trial.
 In one office, I was advised to go i. back 10 house work, because that was the thing l knew. The advice was good. but I had had the experience l wanted as a mald and 1 wished variety.
 The editor was kind, but when !. told him l was just out of Jail, 8 came over him, for which, !. after all, he could scarcely be !, He may have had experience i in trying to reform sinners.
 In the other newspaper office, . they had nothing to offer me, but