Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-03-24
TIE GLOVE-HAND
story Of a Working Girl.

A dismal February night it was, with
a gray fog above, through which the
lamps shown like yellow dots Of sickly
flame, and 1esolation of thawing snow
and streaming cutters below But Lily
was used to all sorts of weather. de-
gree more or less Of dreariness and dis
comfort made but little difference to
her.
Lily Venor was "glove-hand." All
day long she sat, with seven-and-twenty
other girls in long, low ceiled room,
on the upper floor OF monster build
ing in one of the grimy, narrow streets
that run parallel to Broadway, working
at the machine, handling the curious
shades of soft kid, buckskin and lamb
skin with def, cautious fingers, piling
up dozens Of pairs on the shelf in front
Of her machine, until she vaguely Won
dered within herselfif there were hands
enough in all the world to wear out
these gloves. 1t was hard work, and
it was poorly paid; but Lily Vennor had
known what it was to be without en-
ployment for weeks ut a time, and she
was thankful even for Mr. Murex's
dollar day, with the stipulation that
in case Of extra haste, an hour or so
overtime should not be objected to.
The poor are generally worsted in
their bargains, nor was our little hero
inc an exception to the rule.
But the machine was closed ut last
the work delivered up to the sour
visaged forewoman, and Lily was in
the outer room, tying her curls under
the brown felt hat whose tasteful loops
of ribbon had been sponged and turn
ed 50 often, and folding her worn
shawl across her shoulders; and, as
she took up her dinner basket, she
heard the gay voice Of Mary Reid, one
of her fellowworkers, saying, merriy:
est. Valentines evel You don't
mean that you have forgotten it, Ida?
Why expect dozen valentines, at
least, tomorrow"
Lily Ncnnor glanced up at Mary
Reid, as she spoke. A dozen valen-
tines? Yes, there was every probable
ty that she would receive as many as
that. She was dark eyed brilliant
complexioned young beauty, with n
pretty Greek nose, "A dimple on the
left cheek, and teeth as white rs sliced
cocoanut. She would be one to marry
early, snd escape from this bondage
oftol and poverty; and, for moment,
Lily Nennor wished that she, too, were
beautiful.
And then came n second thought
st. Valentines eve; and she had prom
ised Nudge and Edith, the two little
twin sisters at home, valentine for
this year when Nudge had submitted
tC the ordeal of vaccination, and Edith
had been so docile at the task of learn
ing to mend stockings; for Lily Ven
nor, girl though she was, had already
been burdened with the cares Of life
Her father had married n second time
and lost his wife, leaving Lily at his
own death, with the charge of these
commonly known rs "Mldge."
1t was hard, hard task, but LILY
never quailed. She had accepted it
simply rs she would have accepted any
other decree Of Providence, and the
two little orphans had learned to love
her with all their innocent hearts.
And now she paused in front of the
brilliant shop windows, with her open
purse in her hand, trying to decide
upon some particular style of valentine
which would be pretty enough to suit
the children, and which yet should not
be too dear.
II should like that little gilt Cupid
nesting in the roses" she said TO her
self "or the pretty child who puts the
bower of Cut-paper leaves aside, and
holds up a tiny letter, or the velvet
humming bird on its nest. But they
must be at least n dollar apiece, and
have but five cents to spare.
SO she went into the store, humbly
awaiting her turn, and bought the two
five-cent valentines, which the clerk
superciliously tossed toward her
IL should like two postage stamps,
said she, meekiy.
stamps" echoed the clerk. This
amt post-otlice2'
Lily pointed to printed placard
stamps for Sale Here" and the clerk,
grumbiing under his breath, reached
down two stamps, and took the foul
pennies.
He did not relish doing business on Il
small scale, especially while other Gus
TONERS were waiting Mt the counter.
The next morning, however, little
Nudge and Edith danced up and down
with JOY when the postman left the
two valentines at their door.
And here's valentine for You
Lily" said Nudge. only the enve-
lope hasn't got such pretty gilt roses on
rs mine and Ede's have"
Lily was standing with her hat on
oil reoIv ia on tn tho ulnyp- factory II.