The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-16

A Beardless Entry Clerk Discovered To Be .
Woman.

A BeardIess Entry Clerk Discovered To BE .
Woman.
Philadelphia Special to New York Herald.
Twenty book-keepers are employed by Lang
field, Turner 81 Andrews, manufacturers Of
leather goods. Among the number until this
afternoon was a young entry clerk known as
Charles Hunter. He was engaged abont six
months ago and did the work assigned him in q
perfectly satisfactory manner. He was quite
enemlnate in appearance and conduct, and
though fully twenty-three years of age had not q
suspicion OF a mustache or beard on his face. His
clothes did not fit him, and had evidently been
purchased at a ready made clothier's. The other
book-keepers guyed their companion. and many
of them acquired q playful habit of rubbing him
on the chin as they asked where his beard was.
All these jokes the young person received in good
part, and even listened with relish to tho fabul-
Gus tales Of the Aersss ane:: :hA fssii Sex.
He attended to the duties in the counting
room with fidelity until about a month ago, when
he began to absent himself for about an hour
every forenoon and an hour every afternoon.
This went on for some time without occasioning
comment, bat the chief book keeper finally found
it his duty to report the new clerk. 1t was also
observed that Hunter became preoccupied and
less careful about the work. Mr.. Turner and his
partner, Mr.. Andrews, had a conference about
the young clerk They decided to give him a
further trial and directed the head book keeper
to caution him, but Hunter continued to take
LILO departure d. Adu ttO q VI
the same duration. A young clerk in the front
Office, who doubtless knew by experience when
policy numbers were posted, advanced the theory
to his employer that Hunter bought lottery
tickets.
This afternoon Mr.. Andrews, who prides him
self on his ability as a student of character, de-
cided to stop what he believed TO be Hunters
only vice, aud at the same time to surprise and
trick him of his secret. So, when the young
man re-entered, after the usual absence, Mr..
Andrews called him into the inner Office and,
after closing the door, began slowly and solemn
ly:-"We have found you out, and the best thing
for you to do is to make a clean breast of every
thing"
'Indeed-r CONSERVATION was depicted in
the clerks face.
"Yes, 1 know this is a delicate thing for both
Of us" continued Mr.. Andrews. But we have
stood it as long as we can. Now, will you tell
me one thing mores' The employer now knew
that he was on the right track to a tale of en-
bezZlement or worse.
Certainly was the answer, with q sob.
Why do you 60 away twice a day?'
tt nurse my baby. You see l had him
boarded out, but had to bring him home because
he didn't thrive on the bottle"
Tine look on the merchants face cannot be de-
scribed. Here was a young man in trousers
talking about nursing a baby. Andrews had in
tended to surprise Hunter, but Hunter had par
alyzed him.
What are you a womans"
"You just said you knew all about it, didn't
your
eyes oh, yes; SO I did," suffered the con-
founded Andrews. Then the young woman burst
into tears, realizing that she had been deceived
into a confession.
To the Herald correspondent she said:-"My
name is Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter and my husband
has been a clerk in the dry goods house of Riegel.
Scott e. Co. Six months ago his health became
very bad and we saw distress threatening US. l
had a young baby and that complicated the stu
alton very much. We did not know what to do.
We came from Michigan. My father owned a
store in the village where we lived. l was
taught to keep books. l suggested that l get a
place as kook keeper. l got a n~eighbor to take
the baby at a dollar a week, and l sought a posi-
ton. My sex prevented me from succeeding. l
became desperate. Our money was nearly ex-
hausted, and my husband. poor fellow. was un-
able to work more than half time. We must
have means to live. 1 measured myself as well
as 1 could. Then I went to Wanamaker's aud
bought a cheap ready-made suit. [ told them 1t
was for my brother.
81 then went to the Young Mems Christian
Association, registered, and waited for a situa-
ton to seek me. Mr.. Turner'S son attends there.
He is a generous-hearted young fellow. He got
acquainted with me and secured me the situa-
ton. 1 did nay work faithfully until forced to
bring my child home. He did not do we'll with
the nurse. Cows milk did not agree with him.
1 don't know if I make myself clear to a young
man like you, but | can't help it. My daily alb
sence to feed little James attracted attention.
and / nave lost my SltuaClon. L earned only Yf a
week, but was to have had my wages raised the
nrst Of next month. / shall now have to leave
| town, because l am told I have broken a State
| law in assuming mems clothes. | have kept the
| wolf from the door, however. and saved my self
| respect, I'd like to find a place in New York
whore an honest woman can earn an honest
| living. Do l intend to Asume MAZE attlrea Yes.
if no other means is open. / mean to live and
not to fail. It's a censorious world this, but
I'm ready tOsadopt any desperate means TO sue
cess that does not lead to moral digrace.'
The lady requested that her place of residence
on Fifth street. near Race, be not named. She
was in great dependency.
Charles b. Turner was seen at his house to-
night, and from him many of the facts in the
earlier part of this story were obtained. In ad-
dition, he said: ''This young woman's story is
true, | have every reason to believe. We had no
fault to find with her work, but she realizes
that she cannot return here. Hor fellow-clerks,
who have been telling her tales about their
rackets with their girls, would be incapacitated
for service. It's too bad. for both husband and
wife appear to be deserving. Don't ask Andrews,
of our house, anything about his skill in getting
down to facts"
Alfred B. Riegel stated that Mr. Hunter, the
husband, had been in the employ of his house,
but that he quit about Decoration Day. He gave
him a good character.