New Britain herald., 1925-07-24

sentatlNes, BOt nels'I StnteHCtu lo prison.
 Guiltless of any crime, she sought answers 10 the questions
 Are our prisons humaneH
 Can a girl, crushed hy her fellow men, regain her place in society? This Is the twenty-fourth story, written for the Herald.
 By WINNIFRED MASON HUCK Former Representative to Congress
 From Illinois
 It was early morning when l ar rived in New York. ate frugal breakfast, for pecuniary reasons. When l had paid for it had just 45 cents.
 made a call upon my lawyers, Knox & Deignan. l did not wish to tell them what l was doing, but my life insurance policy required that at least one reliable person in New York should know who Elizabeth Sprague" was.
 My attorneys were shocked to say the least. They even tried to make me give up the Idea of living in New York on 43 cents, and when ] left the office the junior partner re- minded me that telephone charges could be reversed 10 his home in East Orange If worst came to worst. As went down in the elevator IA rtf work at once or become the object of charity,
 United Charities
 The thought Of charity gave me an Idea. I asked the way to the office of the United Charities at 105 E. 22d street.
 Two men were waiting in the ante.room, one of them stranded circus player.
 Presently a woman came to the gate which divided the benches from some desks in the room.
 "Is there anything we can do for you ?" she smiled It was 8 compel ling smile that lit her beautiful face. T have just reached the city" :" explained "I am looking for work and need a little advice" "
 Wont you be seated? l will see you as soon as l get through with this young man"
 Soon she was ready for me, She wrote my name on a card and be gan to ask questions. told her that had been in jail, but when she tried to find out why, l blurted on II just cant talk about it."
 There. is something that you are not telling me" she said, but after all, 1t doesn't matter"
 Then she turned to me with her beautiful smile. Will you eat din ner with me tonight as my guest? ?' was astonished. not at the in vitation, but al the manner in which it WAS given, as if to one of her in innate friends.
 T am an eA-convict," said slow ly,
 Included in my invitation is . promise to ask no questions to- night" she added.
 The Whole Story
 knew l should not go. l longcd to tell her the whole story But tc do that would have been 10 close my book of ad'cnturc.
 The 43 cents in my pocket were il powerful argument.
 "I shall be delighted to have din uer with you," I said in my best company manner. That night we dined at the Me. Alpin hotel and then went 10 q movie palace on Broadway.
 My hostess, Martha Virginia Sim mons had learned that it was mn sic that I was hungry for The or chestrs at the thcater satisfied my hunger.
 That night slept in a clean liiij' bed at the salvation Army house and went 10 sleep with h)ossint for Martha Simmons in m! thoughts,
 Next day. through her efforts got a ioh at he Willard Parker hos pltal for s4o month. room am board. The food was very good an' my room with its enormous win doTs was 3 ,oTtablo joy
 I had learned 10 appr'Ci1te sn"l homelv comforts as windows an clean sheets,
 Miss Ross. the sun,nut"ml"n' had employed m, alter being con lmced that | was clean. healthy am P willing To work vithout asking an ! questions as to my past. ]. In thc Laundry a My place vas in th" laundry. E' fore l vow to vor. WIS given phvslcal eAamtnJl0U
 Then uas given my uniform. I :. puazIed m, coul n"' toll th E front from tnr h1,N. | evp.rJmen'" urh Y day alter loy. aHl no mat fer w,,rr vav 8or. it, "a greeted 8uh ,0w.uor sroil's tror the ctr.r norE.rs j' th" laundry.
 At last e~h'I Niss Ross, oil he daily rouua fl l mrh, rocut an it the neck
 "Indeod lu wos" she soi' Make yourself 'ooG IS nNov as 70 . please"
 My work was not hard. anl mos
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