The Lincoln County herald., 1871-12-28

dollars in her pettej life. Her 6rst re
buff was in being Informed, not too po-
litsly, that the girls who came to work
we're not allowed to pass through the
store, but must mount to the fourth floor
through small side door. There was 40
elevator for the employees Of certain
grades, but tho tired women who came to
earn the pittance paid for sewing were
not allowed to use il. Up the weary
stairs, fight after fight Nettic followed
two poorly Glad women, others coming
after ber, for the city clock was striking
three and unpunctualty might cost them
their weeks work. The room was al.
ready half full Of women when Nettie
entered il. and Cecil Graham, standing
behind q large table. with two women
as assistants, was opening bundle after
bundle and checking the amount due for
each 10 large book. As he did so. the
women stepped aside to wait TIL all the
work was examined. when each would be
paid, to wnit till all received their money,
and work for the next week was given
out in tho ,ame routine. What mattrred
~ ir whole ao~i"o-- of prpcio"- .;---
was consumed Z? 1t was the system Of the
Establishment.
Net,ie watched the proceeding from
under her thick veil with keen interest,
not taking her place on the line, but sit
ting down, as she had no work to be ex.
amined. and must therefore wait till fresh
work was given out. 1t was hard for her
to believe that the stern, harsh nan be.
fore her was the courteous gentleman
whose ring was hidden under her coarse
glove. Ile seemed to have magn,fyins
glasses IN his eyes, 80 sharply did he crit
icize every stitch. Several women had
passed through this rough ordeal Of crit.
icism, when one came up that at once
Interested Netties kind heart. She was
so poorly clad, SO pallid aud worn, that
she seemed scarcely able to stand.
This won't do at all. said the gentle
man, harshly. IL should think you
would he ashamed to offer such work
here"
u had to sew without fire" said the
woman, in q weak voice, land my taby Is
sick"
"l've got nothing to do with your
baby and your fire. can't pay for such
work as this"
II don't think anybody but you would
notice any fault" was the reply; and
Ncttie. looking at the garment. agreed
with her. She was not vorv near it. to
be sure, but to her it seemed neatly made
"No use to US ut all.
20 Mr.. Graham, give me half price
have not cent in the world T.
III sball not pay for work that don't
suit me: Move up; you are hinderine
others" ..
With moan as If wrung FROM her BY
physical pain, the woman turned towards
the door. As she passed Nettie, she
felt the pressure of soft hand and looked
down.
Take this said whispering voice
land tell mo where you live. To n. orrov
you shall have fuel and food. This will
, help you to day."
The woman looked wonderingly at the
FIVE dollar bill in her hand.
"But you are poor yourself" she said
. III can spare thut Where do yol
live ?"
She gave a number and street, ant
with faltering "God bless you T. left
the room.
Others followed IL the long line to the
table, and Nettie watched again. Some
asked for trifing advances to avert frecz
ing. starvation, or the terrors Of unpaid
landlords. Some pleaded illness iol
slight imperfcctions or delay, but these
were exceptions, and every favor or in,
dulgence was sternly refused. I he ma
jointly came up with mechanical precision
and went to the other end Of the long
room 10 wait until their names were
called for payment. Quite pile Of gar
ments were thrown aside us too budly
made to receive payment, and Nettie in
nocently wondered it they were really
useless, looking, to her eyes, 80 neat and
we'll made. More than one woman felt o
dollar or moro slipped into her hands
and looked 10 vain in the crowd arOu nc
her for the voice that gave low Take
this, | can spare it,. with the gift, in de
6ance Of the printed rule against the wai
that forbade any talking in the room.
Tho winter afternoon was drawing to q
close when O gill in mourning wen'
slowly down the stairs leading to tn,
street, carrying q hesrtsche for every
pale face she had seen, every pi,ifu
voice she had heard ao, ,FSSs the sudder
: crushins o. On the second Monday not make
hsr caxs.w.PAARRKss, E.'.. I'm. m''st, cry
lnal SettIemenq sJ'ag, ri g,