Unwise Confidence by M. L. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 14, 1913

Unwise Confidence

By M. L. H.

M. L. H.

Much has been written on this subject, but not enough, for often one hears the cry, “Why didn’t I know?” “Why was not I told of the danger?” For such a one I will tell a bit of experience which was a warning to me and has helped me in helping others.

I was a young widow returning home to my parents. Completely absorbed in my grief, I paid no attention to the other occupants of the car. At length my baby tugged at my sleeve to call attention to some candy in her chubby hand. “Nice man gave it to me.” Absent-minded, I turned my thoughts upon my own lonely condition. I was aroused by hearing baby say, “Why, don’t you know about my papa? Him’s dead, and dey put him in the cold ground.” Then I noticed a well-dressed man leaning across the aisle engaged in conversation with my little daughter. Drawing her to my side, I called her attention to objects to be seen through the window.

“How did you happen to speak to the man, dear?” “Him asked me where my papa was, and I told him—” “Yes, but mother doesn’t talk to strange gentlemen in the train.”

I was very young, and knew absolutely nothing of the tactics of such persons, but I felt that this action on the man’s part was ill-bred. I was brooding vaguely over the incident, when the same voice, close at hand, said, “Excuse me, madam, but do you not spend the night in El Paso?”

“So the conductor says.”

“Well, as you are alone with your baby, may I not assist you to a good hotel? A friend of mine keeps one there, and I’d like to help him, and you, too”—all this with a winning smile. I hesitated, with an inborn dread of being unconventional.

“No, thank you; baby does not cause me trouble,” I replied with an air of having closed the conversation.

We were nearing the city; and in spite of the bustle of preparation, this man kept his seat until I arose to leave the car. Stooping quickly, he took my heavy suit case, and with a smiling “Allow me,” he was out of the car before I realized the situation. Naturally I followed my suit case, and reached the platform in time to see a cabby swing it up on his coach and to hear my “friend” say, “Turner House.” He turned toward me with outstretched hand to assist me in entering the carriage.

By this time I had collected my senses enough to demand my suit case; but a policeman had to be called before it was delivered to me. My new acquaintance put on an aggrieved look and explained that I had completely misunderstood his kind intentions.

Puzzled over the incident, I related it to my parents and brothers, who explained to me that this was one method of entrapping innocent girls and women into dens of vice. My first question was, “Why didn’t you tell me before? I might have believed him to be an honest man with a good heart endeavoring to help baby and me to a good hotel.”

I resolved then and there that whenever I had the opportunity I would warn my sex against the advances of unknown men—yes, and women too, for they also are engaged in this pernicious business.

A young friend was showing me a postal card signed “Jack.” She explained that she had met the young man en route to the city. He had helped her find a certain address, and now he was writing to her as familiarly as her brother would. No harm? In some cases we may see no apparent harmful results, but how dare we run the risk?

A gentleman will always respect a lady; there are those who cannot be classed as either; it is of these we must beware.

Children should be taught to avoid eating candy, cakes, or fruit offered them by strangers.

A young man was persuaded to purchase some “headache tablets” of a vender. He did not regain consciousness for three weeks, when he awoke to find himself hundreds of miles from home, his shoes worn from his feet, his clothes in tatters, and his pockets empty.

Many girls disappear annually or lose their virtue, and they cannot account for themselves.

I feel that it is our plain duty to warn the young of the pitfalls yawning to receive them, although the subject is not one upon which we delight to dwell.

It fills my heart with happiness to think of love, joy, peace, fruits of the Spirit; but we know that the tree of transgression is also bearing fruit, and a warning should be given against plucking its enticing, tempting product.