The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-17
CHAPTER VIIL

The weeks passed on, and starvation
stared the poverty-strieken orphans in
the face.
Henry was compelled to take from
his scanty earnings to purchase suitable
apparel for himself in which to ofiiciate
as coachman for the Hastings family.
Mrs. ii. was fastidious in these matters,
and Henry was not only anxious for a
good excuse TO supply himself with the
luxury of respectable outfit, but he
was too proud to admit that the poverty
Of his dependent ones was bitter enough
TO justify him in extreme self-denial.
"WhGt have we got for supper Fan?"
queried James, one night, as he came
home from a game of base ball, expect
ing to find some sort of a meal ready
and waiting as usual.
Nothing was the despairing reply.
"Where's Annie %
''She's been out with Dick all day,
huntin' place"
"Its thunderin' strange she don't find
oneg'
Nobody will take poor Dick, and
Annie VOWS that she'll starye before
she'll part with him."
"You'll have to stay at home and take
care Of Dick, and then she can get a
place"
"Pm older than you, and I'm going to
keep on going to school,"
at strikes me you'll get rather lean
before spring, if you don't strike stall
where there's better fodder than this
stable affords" said Jim.
Annie came home dripping wet, and
fearfully cold and tired. As usual, her
search for work had been unsuccessful.
She had met Henry in the afternoon,
while keeping guard over the Hastings
team in front of the O'Toodles mansion,
when the ladies and Melvin were in
dulging in fashionable call.
''For Gods sake, Henry, give me just
ten cents. There's not a mouthful of food
at home, and must get some potatoes" A"
Henry divided his meager store of
cash, and Annie repaired to the market,
where long rows of tempting edibIes
were ranged on either side along the
stalls. Driving as good a bargain as
possible, she secured her potatoes and
started homeward, calling at every house
upon the way i'm search of employment.
"You're awful late, Anne, and Pm
about starved, - said the considerate Jim.
The potatoes were soon boiled, and,
as the orphans gathered around the
scanty board, Annie surveyed the scene,
and said, in desperation, ''This family
shall not suffer longer for food and
clothes. The only friend have in this
city is that pompous scamp who offered
me employment in a saloon. I'll go to
him this night and borrow money to
dress myself in style, and then-twenty-
five dollars a week will keep you all
handsomely. They'll let me keep Dick
in a doggery. It's only Christian homes
that exclude little children"
The hundred dollars were borrowed
and the bargain made. The saloon in
which Annie was to engage in the work
Of vending liquors and attracting vic
Tins was owned by a ruddy-faced Ger
man Of two hundred and fifty pounds
weight, splendid customer at his own
bar, who never got intoxicated, and who
despised everybody who couldn't quit
drinking when they'd got enough"
Over the door was a handsome trans
pareney, containing the magic words,
"Walk in' and welcome in letters
Of gilt, surrounded by an artistic wreath
Of exquisite workmanship. The door
opened into a small, brilliantly-lighted
hall, adorned by rare pictures, and a
side-board, mounted by a pier glass. at
the base of which an elegant aquarium
sent up a single jet of water, that fell
back in spray upon sporting gold fishes.
Folding doors, that shot back and
forth upon rollers, obedient to the touch.
opened from the hall into q sumptuous
saloon, where everything beautiful and
costly was lavishly displayed. A coun-
ter of purest marble, contained a soda
fountain, with a glass dome reaching to
the lofty ceiling, through which foam
ing liquid was playing ceaselessly. Be
hind the counter, and along the wall,
on stately rows of ornamental shelves,
were ranged the various samples Of
the stock in trade, while a genteel ap-
pearing young man, very polite and
dressy, stood near the soda fountain,
with huge glass in his eye, and stun
ming diamond on his bosom.
''Is the proprietor in ?7 queried Annie,
timidly.
mot at present, madam. He is TAX
ing nap"
Il am the young lady who was to be
Installed in this house as clerk.p
Il think you're Mistaken was the
critical answer, as the bartender eyed
her from head to foot. 1--WE don't em-
ploy female clerks here"
"But the proprietor made a barg,in
in my presence with Mr.. Green. the in
telligence Office keeper, and was told
to come here and get orders"
"Oh, I understand now. You ,v.r.
employed as a sort of decoy to outsiders
You're beauty, 'pOn my word. But If
strikes me that your first business Vail