Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-07-29


nounced it black, and there was some
thing in the way the blue ribbcn at
her neck wac tied and the manner in
which the simple details Of her dress
were arranged that bespoke her for
eign birth.
"Well. Mademoiselle Marie, how
do you like fsctory life ?" asked the
foreman.
at is not disagreeable," she an
swered, slight accent clinging to her
tones like fragrance to flower, as
she extended her hand for the money
counted out to her.
"You have given me but four dol
lars, andit was eight by the contract"
she said.
The foreman shrugged his ehoul-
ders with an insolent air.
"Humph you amt much accus'
toned to our way ofdoing things, are
you, mademoiselle? ? Eight, of course,
but we deduct two for a fee"
"a fee For what2" demanded
Marie with flashing eyes.
For getting you the situation, to
be sure, Such places don't grow on
every bush, and you naturally expect
to pay for the privilege"
"I did not"
ooh, well, all right. You amt
obliged to stay unless you choose y
"Do you mean that if do not pay
this money"-hesitated Marie.
"You can't expect to stay in the
works." said May, hitching up his
collar.
"But the other two dollars?"
"Oh, that is percentage the girls
all pay" said the foreman.
"But what is it for p
Mr.. May laughed.
at helps out my salary. Of course
you know tho girls expect to pay
something each week for keeping
their situations in place where there
are so many anxious to get in.
"And Mr.. Elder"
ooh, he hasn't much to do with it.
I am master, if you please"
"Mr. Elder owns the works? !?
Well, yes, he owns it, but I man
age erything. Mr.. Elder reposes
the utmost confidence in my ability,
and he is good business man, He
understands his own interest. And
now if you have any more questions
to ask"
II have none but I need this
money myself. | work hard for it l
earn it righteoualy. I cannot afford
any more than the others among those
poor laboring girls to pay it to your
greed"
"Eh?" ejacuiated Mr.. May, jump
ing from his seat as if stung.
"And | will not pay it," calmly
continued Mademoiselle Marie.
Every well, just as you like,
mademoiselle, only if you won't con-
form to the rules Of the Dapplevale
Works"
care these the rules?" scorntully
demanded the girl.
"Prsy consider your name crossed
off the books; you are no longer in
my employ. Good evening, made
moiselle."
Mr.. May slammed down the cover
of his desk as if it were patent gull
lotine, and poor Marie's neck were
under it.
Two or three of the factory girls
who had hovered around the place to
hear the discussion, looked with awe e.
stricken faces at Marie as she came
out with four dollars in her hand.
"You have lost your place, ma'am-
selle," whispered Jennie Bass, pale,
dark-eyed girl who supported a
crippled mother and two little sisters
out of her factory earnings.
And he'll never take you on
again he is as virdicitive as posi-
BILE" said Mary Rice.
"It matters not. He is rogue,
and rogues sometimes out-general
themselves"
"But you cant starve," said Jennie.
"Come with me, ma'amselle. My
home is poor place, but you are
welcome to stay there Till you can
write to your friends"
Marie turned and impulsively
kissed Jennie on her lips.
II tbs nix you, but I do not need
l,,a u,