The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-12-05
GRAHAM'S OFFICE.
a STORY on wAsarsaroN Irrr.

It's only q six-hundred-dollar Office ~
said Crocus Graham, with flushed cheek
md glittering eyes. And when my car
fares are paid, and my dress provided for.
there isn't 50 much left, after all I'm sure
nobody need covet itln
Mrs. Graham looked at her daughter with
folded hands and troubled expression of
countenance.
Yes, know, Crocus, said she, in that
soft, tremulous falsetto of hers. g But six
hundred dollars is six hundred dollars, and,
after all, these public offices are deal more
genteel than school-teaching, or dressmak-
ing, or any other way by which friendless
woman may earn living. And this Mrs.
Altamont has powerful political friends,
and they tell me that place must be found
for her, at all hazards.n
"And So" cried indignant Crocus, OF
am to be flung you with me, mamma
helpless upon the world p
Not helpless, Crocus, dear ~
Mamma, how can it be otherwise ?r
said Crocus, looking pitifully down on her
little white hands, pink as to the nails, and
dimpled as to the joints. We cannot
dig beg We are ashamed But never
will demean myself to ask favors of the de-
partment have always done my duty
faithfully, and earned my salary. And now
to be displaced for the sake of dashing So
ciety widow with big eyes and rouged
cheeks lis it not CROUCH to make one blush
for ones country ?"
" It's the way Of the world, Crocus !"
sighed Mrs. Graham " The weak must
stand aside, while the chariots of the strong
roll on ~
3" But | couldn't have Beloved it of the
aaditor, mamma p urged Grocus. 81 He
was poor papa's old friend, and he was al
ways SO very, very kind to me ~ 64i ~
" An auditor, my dear, has something to
do besides to study the welfare of every one
Of the clerks in his department." reasoned
Mrs. Graham. ess
81 am sorry / bought that new dress
now" said Crocus, regretfully. :" I didn't
really need it; but the pattern was SO pref
ty !-pink moss-rosebuds on white ground.
1t was only twenty-five cents yard; but
there was the making, and the ribbon-bows
and loops, aud the buttons. And have
saved SO little out of my salary Oh, mann.
ma how could / have been SO improyi.
dent? What will hundred and seventy
five dollars do toward supporting US now n
Look, Crocus |"
Mrs. Graham, sitting by the window, had
Glanced to perceive an open barouche roll
ing leisurely down Pennsylvania Avenue
under the bowery droop of the tress, with
an elegantly dressed lady reclining among
its satin cushions, and portly red-faced
gentleman seated by her side.
" see, said Crocus, slightly frowning,
while scarlet spot came into either check.
q It is Mrs. Altamont. And that is her
cousin, the senator. Did you see the dia-
monds flash in her ears, mammal Oh, of
course, Senator Stalkcup can demand any
favor he pleases from Tho Government tor
any needy relation he happens TO have
And I-poor lam to be the scapegoat. l
dare say, that x-hundred-dollar salary wiz
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 eountry's
service. She had been in boarding-school
when he died, and her first experience of
the real world was in public Office at
Washington, where she was set diligently at
work.
She liked it. She gloried in thus sup
porting herself and her mother, instead of
sinking to the level of millinery, boarding
house keeping or genteel beggary.
She engaged board at the cheapest place
which was consonant with her dignity as q
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 80 hardly,
Mamma said Crocus, suddenly, II
won't wait to be discharged-I'll resign"
Would that be wise, Crocus ?" said the
gentle widow. ~
Gwen go West, mamma" said Crocus
Uncle Joseph took up government claim
in Dakota Well raise chickens and bees,
and turn farmers there!"
But. darling, what can two women like
us do ?" pleaded Mrs Graham.
"Two women, mamma. !" tdtd Crocus,
trying to laugh Why, there's nothing in
all the world that they can't do! may be
returned yet as one of the representatives Of
some hitherto unnamed Territory and in
that case, I'll do my best to pass law that
no political influence shall drive n hard.
working girl from her place, to make room
for an overdressed widow who wants to earn
little more pin-money-"
"Crocus |"
Wouldnt it be good idea, mamma ?
But now / must ait down and count the
money l have left of this months salary.
am not by any means sure that / have
enough to take us to akota--unless indeed
we were to sell the old pearl brooch that be-
longed to your mother. And I've sort of
o fancy that luck would desert us if we part.
ed with that old pearl brooch"
Later in the afternoon, Crocus Graham
put on the pink moss-rose gown, with a
pretty little hat of rose-colored Grape, which
she had herself made and crept out under
the shadow of the great lime-trees in the
Capitol grounds, to hear the band play.
All the world was there-the bellies Of the
great city, the fashionables, the notabilities
Elegant carriages blocked up the drives /;
rainbow groups studded the velvet lawns ,
and almost the first thing which Crocus saw
was the tall figure of the twenty-fith auditor,
standing beside Senator Stalkcup's carriage,
while that ribicund parsonage gesticulated
vehemently, and Mrs. Altamont leaned
smilingly forward, beneath the golden-shad.
ow of her amber-lined parasol.
My rmisin must be provided for, don't
you see y said the senator. g And they
tell me that your department is the pleas
antest place in the Treasury Building and
If there isn't any vacancy just now, why,
you must make one Nothing can be easier,
am surer