Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-01
IN MALE ATTIRE.


Her Family.
philadelphia Dispatch to the New York Her
ald.l
Twenty book-keepers are employed
by Langfeld, Turner & Andrews, man
ufacturers of leather goods. Among
the number until this afternoon was q
young entry clerk known as Charles
Hunter. He was engaged about six
months ago and did the work assigned
him In a perfectly satisfactory man.
ner. He was quite effeminate in ap-
pearance and conduct, and thoughtful
ly 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 a 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 the fabulous tales of the
clerks about the frail sex.
He attended to the duties IN the
counting room with fidelity until
about month ago when he began to
absent himself for about an hour every
afternoon. This went on for some
time without occasioning comment,
but the chief bookkeeper finally found
it his duty to report the new clerk.
1t was also observed that Hunter be-
came preoccupied and less careful
about the work. Mr.. Turner and his
partner, Mr.. Andrews, had a confer
ence about the young clerk. They de-
cided to give him a further trial, and
directed the head bookkeeper to eau
ton him, but Hunter continued to
take his departure as usual, and the
absence was of 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 Hun
ter bought lottery tickets.
This afternoon, Mr.. Andrews, who
brides himself on his ability as stu
dent of character, decided to stop
what he believed to be Hunters only
vice, and 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
solemnIy: eve have found you out,
and the best thing for you to do is to
make a clean breast of it."
''Indeed-" CONSERVATION was
depicted in the clerks face.
Eyes, [ know this is delicate thing
for both of u.s." continued Mr.. An
drews. 'But we have stood it as long
as we can. Now, will you tell me one
thingmore?" The employer now knew
that he was on the right track to a
tale of embezzlement or worse.
Certainly" was the answer with a
sob.
'sWhy do you go away twice a
day."
'FTo nurse my baby. You see [ had
him boarded out, but had to bring
him home because he didn't thrive on
the bottle"
The look on the merchant s face can
not be described. Here was a young
man in trousers talking about nursing
a baby. Andrews had intended to
surprise Hunter, but Hunter had
paralyzed him.
'What are you woman ?''
"You just said you knew all about
it, didn't your
eyes: oh, yes; so I did," suffered
the confounded Andrews. Then the
young woman burst into tears, realiz-
ing 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 & Co. Six months ago his
health became very bad and we saw
distress threatening us. l had a young
baby and that complicated the situa-
ton very much We did not know
what to do. We came from Michigan.
NV father owned store in the village
where we lived. was taught to keep
books. I suggested that get place
as book-keeper. I got a. neighbor to
take the baby at a dollar a week, and
sought position. My sex prevented
me from succeeding. I became desper-
ate Our money was nearly exhausted,
and my husband, poor fellow, was I'M
able to work more than half-time. We
must have means to live. L meas
ured myself as well as | could. Then
| went t o Wanamaker's and bought a
cheap ready-made suit. told them it
was for my brother.
~ then went to the Young Mems
Christian Association, registered, and
waited for a situation 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 situation. l did my work
faithfully until forced to bring my
child home. He did not do well with
the nurse. Cows milk did not agree
with him. / don't know if I make
myself clear 80 a young man like you,
but can't help it. My daily absence
to feed little James attracted atten-
ton, and | have lost my situation. I
earned only 81 a week, but was to
have had my wages raised the first of