It has often been said that the world is growing better and that the places of vice are few; but if the veil is drawn aside only enough to give a glimpse of the pitfalls of darkness and sin, one is made to stand aghast and lift the hands in horror. How little is known of the next-door neighbor! In our cities many people do not even know the names or the occupations of those living in the next room or in some other apartment of the same house. Oft-times dens of vice are almost at our door, and we know nothing of their existence until we are awakened by some sad occurrence that might have been avoided "had we known." Many parents fear to inform their children of the evils of the world and of the dives and pitfalls of vice. This false modesty, or failure to impart knowledge, places children face to face with danger without their suspecting any harm. There are gambling-dens, houses of ill-fame, and various other places of vice, where young and old are led astray. The "white slave traders"--those who decoy and sell girls and young women for such places--are ever on the alert. The author of this book has spent years in trying to rescue girls from such a life, and "Fifteen Years with the Outcast" will undoubtedly do much to counteract the influence of these places of vice and infamy. Fathers and mothers should place this volume in the hands of their children and should encourage them to become sufficiently informed concerning such things not only to protect themselves but also to warn others. With a desire that the influence of this book may reach the highest anticipations of the author I am Yours in Him, E. E. Byrum. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Little Rosa--A Warning to Mothers and Guardians CHAPTER II. A Visit to Sacramento--The Outcome CHAPTER III. My First Autoharp--I Forsake All to Follow Jesus CHAPTER IV. I am Introduced to the Rescue Home Family--A Glorious Test CHAPTER V. A Crushing Situation--Wonderful Vision--Story of Rita CHAPTER VI. My First Call to the Prison Work CHAPTER VII. Leila CHAPTER VIII. I Bid Farewell to the Sacramento Home CHAPTER IX. Woodland (Continued)--A Boycott CHAPTER X. A Brief Call to Sacramento--I Enter the San Francisco Field CHAPTER XI. I am Introduced to the Dives of Barbary Coast CHAPTER XII. Mary CHAPTER XIII. Services in County Jail, Branch No 3 CHAPTER XIV. Lucy--A Remarkable Experience CHAPTER XV. We Plan for a Home for Released Prison Girls CHAPTER XVI. Santa Clara Experiences CHAPTER XVII. Callie's Wonderful Story CHAPTER XVIII. Callie and I Visit the Jail, the Morphine Den, and the Mission CHAPTER XIX. Still Southward Bound--Santa Cruz--Lucy Returns to Her Home CHAPTER XX. Joe's Story CHAPTER XXI. I Depart for Pacific Grove--Meet Lucy Again--Her Baptism CHAPTER XXII. Anna--We Leave for San Jose CHAPTER XXIII. Northward Bound--The Outcome CHAPTER XXIV. The Suicide of L----.--Its After-effect CHAPTER XXV. Good News from Home--Miss Loraine CHAPTER XXVI.