The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-08-26
You know | would not l thought l
could help YOU"

J
| friend"
Let us speak of this no more. l am
poor now. Our paths divide. l must
earn my living, and Patty would never
forgive me. am truly glad to hear o
| her marriage. ="
Look you, Miss Van Rensselaer,, l
want some work done. FL pay you ten
per cent"
My terms are five, sir"
| "Well, five it is. Here's the money.
Spend it all and take out your commits
sion"
With that he thrust roll of bills into
her hands and disappeared into Cniver-
sity Place car just as they reached Broad
way. That night she slept peacefully for
the first time for weeks. She had earned
enough in one day to support her three.
The following day she laid aside 81 from
her earnings, and received seven more let
tiers, inclosing $40 in all. These orders
employed her nearly all day, and at night
| she sent letter with EACH detailing the
| business transaction. The next day there
came but one letter and she was tritle
discouraged. Then came the Sabbath,
and on the Monday there were twenty let
tiers, including one that had evi-
| IDENTIFY wandered about Madison Square
| in search of her for some time.
1t was from Patty johnson, late Van
Stupen. She was charmed with her
brothers beautiful present, and so glad to
hear that Isolena had made the selection.
Would it be too much trouble to do just
little shopping-only dozen gloves or
so:'
There was no money inclosed. Per-
| haps Mrs. johnson was not aware that
Miss Van Rensselaer, was in business.
Without the slightest hesitation she in
closed her advertisement to Mrs. johnson,
and explained her position. Mrs. John
| son might cut her dead she probably
would. She might even talk to her
brother, and perhaps say bitter and disa-
greeable things. Then she must.
The following day brought more letters,
and loud complaint from her landlady
concerning the trouble Of bringing up so
large mail. IsOlena at once turned all
her available assets into money, and made
one more bold push for her life. After
much search she found a small back-rOOm
on the third story of store on Broadway,
Just below Union Square, and, having sup
piled it with secondhand furniture, set
| up for herself, alone in the city. The
room was at once chamber, parlor, kitchen
and business office. A dollar day gave
| her all this, and placed her within easy
reach of the best stores, both on Broad
way and Sixth avenue. The removal
| gave her a chance to advertiSu again, and
she went into it with seemingly reckless
energy. She believed in advertising, and
she meant to play a bold hand in the
game.
Slowly, day by day, her business in
creased 1t kept her upon her feet and in
the stores and streets nearly all day, but
in all her wanderings about the town she
never met Mr.. Van Stupcn nor anyone
else who recognized her. Patty Johnson
never answered her letter, and her family
seemed to have utterly fallen out Of her
life. Weeks passed, and the warm season
came Then her business declined, and
she at once spent every dollar she could
spare in new advertisements, and within
ten days her correspondence doubled in
volume
Late one warm afternoon she climbed
the dismal stairs to her room, and found
Mr. Van Stupen waiting at her door. She
could do no less than ask him in. He
came into her little room, and then said,
slowly:
"Is this your home, Isolena?"
eyes, Mr. Van Stupen; it is my home,
counting-room and all. do up my pack
ages here, and write my letters, and live
generally. Don't you think it pleasant
room 9"
Well-yes; but hardly safe"
"Oh, indeed it is. The janitor and his
wife live upstairs, and the street-door is
locked at seven. | am never out after
that Besides, there are the police"
For all tnat people might come up and
annoy you. Your father and brothers have
been looking for you. They told me yester-
day, when l returned from Saratoga, and
asked where you lived. l had seen your
advertisement, but | would not tell them. "
THAT was kind, Pm sure"
You are bitter, Miss Van Rensselaer,.
Had you seen them you would have
thanked me for keeping them away"
They are my friends, sir"
81 know it, Pardon me if l seem un-
kind am not, Isolena. 1would gladly
serve you, gladly take you away from such
life, gladly offer"
A knock at TIE door interrupted him.
1t was the postman. He counted out a
large bundle of letters and said pleasantly
"Biz is a-looking up, mam'selle. Six,
ty-two letters is big haul"
She bowed the man out, and then, with
the bunch of letters still in her hand, she
said slowly:
"Thank you, Mr.. Van Stupen. You
are very kind. l need no help. I have
created a good business, and have more
than hundred dollars in the savings
bank, and as soon as the fall trade opens !
shall take more comfortable quarters.
am doing well, and l want for nothing
save"
She paused. The door slowly opened
without warning and shambling figure
crept in unbidden. 1t startled them botl
with a drunken laugh.
| Say-'Soiena, gimme ten-won'
you? -rve had hard lines-l have"
"What do you mean, sir, by this inso
lence?" cried. Mr.. Van Stupen. 'Tak'
yourself OFF,
"Mr. Van Stupen," cried the sister, in
terposing between the men, "he is my
brother Edward, there is the money
now please go away. Come again another
day" .-.-
"Yes, demme fly don't! Ten dollars
Here's wealth for your
Stumbling down the stairs, he crep
away, and the two were left alone.
"That was not wise, Miss Van Rens
selaer. He will trouble you again"
"He is my brother, SIR" she said, witt
dignity. "We will not speak of hin
more.'
Mr.. Van Stupen was in measure de
feated. He had not accomplished hi
mission, and after A few commonplaces hi
withdrew, and without an invitation to re
new his call.
| Now was her life clear before her. Sh'
must give her whole heart to her business
There was naught else to feed on, and