Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-03

A woman was riding home last
Thursday afternoon in an uptown
stage. She was one of those busy
workers who add, in small degree, to
the interest of life by en- and pencil,
and she was weary and terribly dis
hearteaed. An opportunity had come
10 her, such as does not come too often
10 any Of us, which would take her out
ID the city for summers rest and en-
ploymeEt OF q sort which would bring
credit, reputation and, above all,
health. TO go to it with mind free and
cares adjusted SO as to insure her carry
ing on. her work well, she needed more
Money than sh- had. The summons
Eas short, as all fortunate calls are
wont to be. To stay in the city meant
wearying sickness, such as had wasted
her summers FIR seasons before, and,
= best, work which would be of little
credit or advantage to her employers.
The chance was one she could Rot af-
ford to throw away, for her own sake
and those depending on her. She had
been already Frustrated by the fierce
heat OF May, and was keeping herself
mp by force of will, till she could leave
the malarious city and find IN purer
bFeeses safety and health.
Bat as the measure of her life had
always been no easy privilege, no sue
cess worth having was ever to be hers,
without such effort as made it of little
pleasure at last. She had worked like
ten women, between sick-bsd and
household cares. and at the last, some
malicious fiend robbed her of all profit
and credit. 1t is story many have to
tell, whose shoots of hope and effort
are perpetually nippod by untimely
lfost or cut OF by sweeping storm. A
hundred dollars would send her off to
her summers rest. which meant work
ing eight hours day for six days in a
weef, with credit and comfort, and
that hundred was no more to be come
BY than ii all the dollars in the world
~ IN the bottom of the sea. oil her
hl,is sonrces OF income were shut off
from her Is completely as if the fiat of
late had gone out against this summer
vacation. One piece of work had not
been used and could lot be paid for.
and smother WAS accepted but could
yield no ready return for months.
Every other source Of income was
Dorsgagea for s.ie support OF those who
had claims upon her. ..
Years before she had done bit of
work which found acceptance say she
had made sketch for an illustrated
paper. which proved pleasing enough
10 be repub'ished separately, hut the
Publishers had refused her right 10 nm,
profits from the engraving. Ii had
: besn selling for five years and was sell.
ing still, aud in desperate resolve. TAX
ing no counsel OF any one, che went to
the hrm. and telling her need and waiv.
ing any claim, asked of their gener.
osity part OF the royalty to which she
had right. The answer was a refusal,
bnt, IN view vt her evident need" the
krm enclosed q check for $40. I'll had
been Thousand she could have done
nothing else but send it back. She
could have had the money in two hours.
provided she had chosen to pay a not
Uncommon price for it. She had but
to say the word. and not only her sum-
ner but her future was secure; not be-
cause heaven or goodness seemed so
very attractive just then, in her bitter.
ness, but cut OF a sullen obstinacy
which refused to sell herself for mess
OF pottaGe. She still laughed at the
Jews bargain. The river breezes from
the bay famed her invitingly this after
noon, AID in imagination she drew
breaths OF the clear, glorious air of the
mountains, and fell back to feel the
Nov fever consuming her veins; the
nausea, the weariness Of malaria Cd.
pressing her brain and bringing down
her strength. She had gone to one
last resource which or,.ht to have
brought part Of the money needed.
and found the acting partner gone to
The country without leaving any &C.
count for her. It seemed to her that
ii she gained what she wanted after
such dreary refusal, it would seem as if
Aeaven grudged it, and her desire
would net do her any good.
She rode up from DEFY street lost il
moody thoughts and full of unutter-
able rebelling against fate. With stern
0rcws and teeth set in useless defiance
and resolve. litany of bitter prayers
and wishes that we're not blessings in
ner heart, she looked back over her life
- 1t had been spent. in forever build
ing walls which fell overnight. till the
strength was growing less with age,
ami brain and hand we're losing their
eariy skill. She deliberately said that
ID such worries and disappointments
were to be all Of life, she did not wish
to live any longer. Nor do wish you
70 understand that she was to blame in
this. GOD senas US the bitter in our
cup and lays the caustic to our hurt.
and 1t is idle 10 call the ole sweet, or
pretend the other is no pain. Only
heaven knows what rebellion, what
protests, what outcries ascend from the