in darkest england and the way out-第29章
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e filth and offscouring of all things； but such is the influence that is established by the meeting and the moral ascendancy of our officers themselves； that we have never had a fight on the premises； and very seldom do we ever hear an oath or an obscene word。 Sometimes there has been trouble outside the Shelter； when men insisted upon coming in drunk or were otherwise violent； but once let them come to the Shelter； and get into the swing of the concern； and we have no trouble with them。 In the morning they get up and have their breakfast and； after a short service； go off their various ways。 We find that we can do this； that is to say； we can provide coffee and bread for breakfast and for supper； and a shake…down on the floor in the packing…boxes I have described in a warm dormitory for fourpence a head。
I propose to develop these Shelters； so as to afford every man a locker； in which he could store any little valuables that he may possess。 I would also allow him the use of a boiler in the washhouse with a hot drying oven； so that he could wash his shirt over night and have it returned to him dry in the morning。 Only those who have had practical experience of the difficulty of seeking for work in London can appreciate the advantages of the opportunity to get your shirt washed in this wayif you have one。 In Trafalgar Square； in 1887； there were few things that scandalised the public more than the spectacle of the poor people camped in the Square； washing their shirts in the early morning at the fountains。 If you talk to any men who have been on the road for a lengthened period they will tell you that nothing hurts their self…respect more or stands more fatally in the way of their getting a job than the impossibility of getting their little things done up and clean。
In our poor man's 〃Home〃 everyone could at least keep himself clean and have a clean shirt to his back； in a plain way； no doubt； but still not less effective than if he were to be put up at one of the West End hotels； and would be able to secure anyway the necessaries of life while being passed on to something far better。 This is the first step。
SOME SHELTER TROPHIES。
Of the practical results which have followed our methods of dealing with the outcasts who take shelter with us we have many striking examples。 Here are a few； each of them a transcript of a life experience relating to men who are now active； industrious members of the community upon which but for the agency of these Depots they would have been preying to this day。
A。S。Born in Glasgow； 1825。 Saved at Clerkenwell； May 19； 1889。 Poor parents raised in a Glasgow Slum。 Was thrown on the streets at seven years of age； became the companion and associate of thieves； and drifted into crime。 The following are his terms of imprisonment： 14 days； 30 days； 30 days。 60 days； 60 days （three times in succession）； 4 months； 6 months （twice）； 9 months； 18 months； 2 years； 6 years； 7 years （twice）； 14 years； 40 years 3 months and 6 days in the aggregate。 Was flogged for violent conduct in gaol 8 times。
W。 M。 （〃Buff〃）。Born in Deptford； 1864； saved at Clerkenwell； March 31st； 1889。 His father was an old Navy man； and earned a decent living as manager。 Was sober； respectable； and trustworthy。 Mother was a disreputable drunken slattern： a curse and disgrace to husband and family。 The home was broken up； and little Buff was given over to the evil influences of his depraved mother。 His 7th birthday present from his admiring parent was a 〃quarten o'gin。〃 He got some education at the One Tun Alley Ragged School； but when nine years old was caught apple stealing； and sent to the industrial School at Ilford for 7 years。 Discharged at the end of his term； he drifted to the streets； the casual wards； and Metropolitan gaols； every one of whose interiors he is familiar with。 He became a ringleader of a gang that infested London； a thorough mendicant and ne'er…do…well； a pest to society。 Naturally he is a born leader； and one of those spirits that command a following； consequently； when he got Salvation； the major part of his following came after him to the Shelter； and eventually to God。 His character since conversion has been altogether satisfactory； and he is now an Orderly at Whitechapel； and to all appearances a 〃true lad。〃
C。 W。 （〃Frisco〃）。Born in San Francisco； 1862。 Saved April 24th； 1889。 Taken away from home at the age of eight years； and made his way to Texas。 Here he took up life amongst the Ranches as a Cowboy； and varied it with occasional trips to sea； developing into a typical brass and rowdy。 He had 2 years for mutiny at sea； 4 years for mule stealing； 5 years for cattle stealing and has altogether been in gaol for thirteen years and eleven months。 He came over to England； got mixed up with thieves and casuals here； and did several short terms of imprisonment。 He was met on his release at Millbank by an old chum （Buff） and the Shelter Captain； came to Shelter； got saved； and has stood firm。
H。 A。Born at Deptford； 1850。 Saved at Clerkenwell； January 12th； 1889。 Lost mother in early life； step…mother difficulty supervening； and a propensity to misappropriation of small things developed into thieving。 He followed the sea； became a hard drinker； a foul…mouthed blasphemer； and a blatant spouter of infidelity。 He drifted about for years； ashore and afloat； and eventually reached the Shelter stranded。 Here he sought God； and has done well。 This summer he had charge of a gang of haymakers sent into the country； and stood the ordeal satisfactorily。 He seems honest in his profession； and strives patiently to follow after God。 He is at the workshops。
H。 S。Born at A…； in Scotland。 Like most Scotch lads although parents were in poor circumstances he managed to get a good education。 Early in life he took to newspaper work； and picked up the details of the journalistic profession in several prominent papers in N。B。 Eventually he got a position on a provincial newspaper； and having put in a course at Glasgow University； graduated B。A。 there。 After this he was on the staff of a Welsh paper。 He married a decent girl； and had several little ones； but giving way to drink； lost position； wife； family； and friends。 At times he would struggle up and recover himself； and appears generally to have been able to secure a position； but again and again his besetment overcame him； and each time he would drift lower and lower。 For a time he was engaged in secretarial work on a prominent London Charity； but fell repeatedly； and at length was dismissed。 He came to us an utter outcast； was sent to Shelter and Workshop got saved； and is now in a good situation。 He gives every promise； and those best able to judge seem very sanguine that at last a real good work has been accomplished in him。
F。 D。Was born in London； and brought up to the iron trade。 Held several good situations； losing one after another； from drink and irregularity。 On one occasion； with #20 in his pocket； he started for Manchester； got drunk there； was locked up and fined five shillings； and fifteen shillings costs； this he paid； and as he was leaving the Court； a gentleman stopped him； saying that he knew his father； and inviting him to his house； however； with #10 in his pocket； he was too independent； and he declined； but the gentleman gave him his address； and left him。 A few days squandered his cash； and clothes soon followed； all disappearing for drink； and then without a coin he presented himself at the address given to him； at ten o'clock at night。 It turned out to be his uncle； who gave him #2 to go back to London； but this too disappeared for liquor。 He tramped back to London utterly destitute。 Several nights were passed on the Embankment； and on one occasion a gentleman gave him a ticket for the Shelter； this； however； he sold for 2d。 and had a pint of beer； and stopped out all night。 But it set him thinking； and he determined next day to raise 4d。 and see what a Shelter was like。 He came to Whitechapel； became a regular customer； eight months ago got saved； and is now doing well。
F。 H。Was born at Birmingham； 1858。 Saved at Whitechapel； March 26th； 1890。 Father died in his infancy； mother marrying a
