Woman Who Kept An Open House to Tramps

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 157, 6 July 1936, Page 5

Woman Who Kept An Open House to Tramps

CUP OF TEA AND A CIGARETTETHEN PRAYER AT HOME ALTAR ‘‘Come inside and have a cup of tea and a cigarette,” was the invitation on a card that used to hang in a window at Audley House, near the Cathedral Close, Salisbury, home of Miss Cordelia Jane Hawksley, who recently died at Winchester, aged eighty-eight. That invitation was directed to tramps—‘‘ramblers” she called them—among whom ahe did a great deal of good work. She also did much unobtrusive work in the East End of London, where she is still remembered with affection by many people. Miss Hawksley, when at Audley House, would welcome visitors herself in a room furnished with small tables, a book-case and an altar. While they were enjoying tea and a smoke, Miss Hawksley chatted cheerunderstahdingly with them. Before they left, she offered a prayer at the little altar with them. This was the daily life of tho sweet old lady. She spent a lifetime in social and charitable works and founded the League of Our Father. Her house at Upper Brook street, Winchester, whero she died, was called ‘‘The Ramblers.”