Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-31
LOST HER PLACE.

A STORY OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
"lt's only a siX-hundred Office" said
Crocus Graham. with flushed cheek
and glttering eyes. "And when my
car-fares are paid, and my dress pro-
vided for, there isn't so much, after
all! I'm sure nobody need covet it"
Mrs. Graham looked at her daughter
with folded hands and troubled eX-
preston of countenance.
"Yes, know, Crocus," she said, in
that soft, tremulous falsetto of hers.
"But six hundred dollars is six hun
dred dollars, and, after all, these public
offices are deal more gentcel than
school-teaching, or dress-making, or
any other way by which a friendless
woman may earn a living. And this
Mrs. Altamont has powerful political
friends, and they tell me place must
be found for her, at all hazards"
"And So" cried indignant Crocus,
81 am to be lIung-and you with me,
mamma-helpless upon the world"
"Not helpless, Crocus, DEAR
Mamma, how can it be otherwise?"
said Crocus, looking pitifully down on
her little white hands, pink as to the
nails, and dimpled as to the joints.
"We cannot dig-to beg we are
ashamedr But never will demean
myself to ask favors Of the depart
ment. | have always done my duty
faithfully, and earned my salary. And
now to be displaced for the sake of Il
dashing society widow with big eyes
and rouged cheeks--is it not enough
to make one blush for ones country ?'
"lt's the way of the world, Crocus"
sighed Mrs. Graham. "The weak must
stand aside, while the chariots of the
strong roll onp'
"But | couldn't have believed it of
the auditor, mammal" urged CrOcus
"He was poor papa's old friend, and
he was always so very, very kind to
mer
"An auditor, my dear, has something
to do besides to study to do besides to
study the welfare Of every one of the
clerks in his Department. reasoned
Mrs. Graham.
81 am sorry bought that new dress
now said Crocus, regretfully. 81
didn't really need it; but the pattern
was so pretty!-pink moss-rosebuds on
a white ground. 1t was only twenty
five cents yard; but there was the
making, and the ribbon-bows and
loops, and the buttons. And | have
saved so little out Of my salary, Oh,
mamma. how could l have been so
improvident? What will a hundred
and seventy-five dollars do toward
supporting us now?'
Iook, Crocus"
Mrs Graham, sitting by the window.
had chanced to perceive an open
barouche rolling leisurely down Penn
sylyania avenue under the bowery
droop of the trees, with an elegantl
dressed lady reclining among its satin
cushions, and portly, red-faced gen.
tleman seated by her side.
81 see," said Crocus, slightly frown-
ing, while scarlet spot came into
either cheek. at is Mrs. Altamont.
And that is her cousin, the senator
Did you see the diamonds flash in her
ears, mamma? Oh, of course, Senator
Stalkcup can demand any favor he
pleases from the government for any
needy relation he happens to have!
And poor l-am to be the scrape-
goat dare say, the siX-hundred-dol-
lar salary will do very well to buy
gloves and boots and eau dc cologne
for Mrs. Altamont To us, mamma, it
was living"
Crocus Graham was the daughter
of a gallant officer, who had died in
his country's service. She had been
in a boarding-school when he died, and
her first experience of the real world
was in the public Office at Washington.
where she was set diligently at work.
She liked it, She gloried in thus
supporting herself and her mother, in
stead of sinking to the level of millin-
cry, clearinghouse keeping or genteel
DegSary
She engaged board at the cheapest
place which was consonant with her
dignity as a lady. She mended her
gloves and made over her mothers
caps, and rejoiced greatly in that she
was independent of the world which
uses widows and orphans so hardly.
Mamma" said Crocus. suddenly
II won't wait to be discharged-Tll
resign!"
"Would that be wise. Crocus?" sail
the gentle widow.
"We'll go West, mamma" said
Crocus. "Uncle Joseph took up a
government claim in Dakota Wei,