Evening star., 1940-11-12
mo. 3 OF q Series.)
BY c. A. MATHISEN.


In the rough down here"
Mrs. Alma J. Scott is convinced
but little prospecting would be
needed before many gems of human
character and talent were plucked
from the squalor which envelops
much of the neighborhood she
serves. AS she sits in her tiny Office
in a disintegrating building, Mrs.
Scott often wakes prideful as she
recalls the part she and her CO.
workers have played in providing
polish for number of stones" but
soon she is overcome by a feeling
of Illustration at not being able to
do more.
She thinks of the serious minded
colored youth who came to her do
Southwest Community House
to ask, DO you have some place
I could use for studying?"
An unusual request to come from
boy in the evening, time during
which study often is abandoned for
pursuit of recreation.
1--WE have big family, and there's
not much room at home" he con-
tinued, Il can't concentrate on my
music"
Pays With Developed Talent.
The youth was told he would be
welcomed, and he persisted at his
study in quiet room of the settle
ment. Frequent jibing by pleasure
minded acquaintanceS did not deter
him. He completed high school and
made the difficult Jump to advanced
musical training without benefit of
liberal arts college background.
The boy visited Mrs. Scott several
weeks ago. He would graduate this
year from the New England Con-
servatory of Music, he said.
A place to study-not very much
to ask, but it proved of prime i'm
portance to the development of one
who came to know the settlement
as a place of neighborly helpful
ness in big things and little.
Another youth and a different
problem, but in the same general
classification, need of a chance.
He came one night to join care
free group in the big room, which
is far too small to care for all the
youngsters who want to use it, Mrs.
Scott declares, but is the largest in
the building.
Puzzles Others.
The staff workers became uneasy
as they noticed the newcomer
watching them, watching the frolick-
ing youngsters and the more solemn
checker players, saying nothing.
They reported to Mrs. Scott, who
suggested the boy be brought to her
office.
HE had wild look in his e!es,
making one feel he would pcunce at
any moment" she recalled.
In an attempt to determine his
personality, she began to talk of
activities at the settlement in which
he might be interested. Several
seemed to have appeal, but sud-
denly the boy blurted, I'm so
hungry!"
Then the story behind those wild
eyes was revealed. He had been
living with an aunt in one room Of
slum dwelling. The aunt had
died, leaving no one to whom he
could turn. He was too proud to
beg for food. For three days ne
had gone without it, trudging the
long distance to school on an empty
stomach, walking around the block
while other children ate lunch.
The settlement was equal to the
situation. The unfortunate boy was
given food. Arrangements to pro-
vide him with lunch at school were
made. Little odd jobs made for
him brought a few coins into his
pockets each week for carfare and
other needs.
That boy completed high school
course, and his excellent marks
earned him a chance to enter How
ard University. The settlement
continued to be his friend. A job
as chauffeur to a physician was
found so he could work his way"
Another Diamond Found.
1t was not so long ago that Mrs.
Scott had report on the youths
superb advancement from the doc
tor.
Hes one of our family now,"
she was told.
Southwest Community House had
found another diamond.
Then there was the young girl
who would not go to school. She
came to the settlement house fire.
ouently, and the workers knew of
her talent for darwing and painting
long before Mrs Scott heard from
her mother of the worry she was
causing. The adolescent girl was
determined to end her schooling and
look for employment.
Mrs. Scott gave the matter per-
sonal attention. She went to the
girls home, and was met at the door
by the object of her visit.
MAY I come IMP"
"Yes, but if you want to talk
about school, won't listen"
The belligerent child was as
sured it was just neighborly call.
The school-hater was invited to
come and call at Southwest House
for q talk.
Again the defiant, IT don't want
to talk about school"
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