The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-15
A SHOP GIRLS ROMANCE.
One of the Incidents Which Lead on to
Tragedies.
Especial Correspondence.l

One of the Incidents Which Lead on to
Tragedies.
Especial Correspondence
New York, April 5.-One learns to read
below the surface of life here, il one learns
anything Little romances, which often grow
into big ruins are to be seen here any day,
and almost every hour. Indeed, one can't
help but see them, they are so Enthusiastically
''under ones nose" A few weeks ago was
walking with friend on much thronged
street just as the great shops closed. An
army of statesmen, saleswomen "bundlers,"
cash girls and boys and other helpers, poured
out of the great doors of two or three large
houses and hurried off toward their homes.
Among the pedestrians that met this NOV
ing throng was a dashing young swell, who
singled out young girl walking alone,
and approaching her in the most deferential
manner and the heartiest delight, greeted her
with the cordiality of a warm friend. The
little thing coored with pleasure and pride,
and her agreeable face fairly shone with de
light as the dashing youth turned and walked
by her side
"Do you see thatp said my friend. "That
dude is not of that girls sphere in life. He
has waited for her and is dazzling her humble
He had stated the case correctly. The girl
was a mere child Her skirts were still
somewhat above her shoe-tops, and were
very thin and well-worn, though her entire
costume, poor as it was, carried an atmos-
phere of style that many Fifth avenue belle
is not born to. Her shoulders were protected
by jaunty but thin little cape made from
"iast winters cloak" and her neat shoes,
though shining with liquid backing, were
nearer the end than the beginning Of their
career. He was clad in warm, rich clothing.
She and the young man might well have
been used as models for picture Of Indus
trious Poverty and Idle Opulence walking
arm in arm.
How pleased she was Her eyes sparkiod
as she proudly stepped along and her tongue
was loosened as by magic. She chattered
with pleasure, smiled at every word her conf
! panion uttered, literally walked on air.
Even the tiny lunch basket that swung
lightly on her arm seemed TO partake Of her
pleasure, and jostled itself back and forth in
ecstacy. After day of toll in the shop she
had suddenly entered paradise. Her self-es-
TEEN and vanity, her heart, perhaps, were
all touched by the lover-like Difference Of lilo
elegant creature by her side.
They walked on just ahead of us across the
city to Broadway, turned up that great
thoroughfare and walked several squares.
| Then the young man stopped, excused him
self on the plea Of an urgent engagement, yet
fingered. and made the sweet pain of parting
as long as possible. At last, with many a
regretful word and meaning glance, he left
her and walked down Broadway, and she
tripped lightly away, poor foolish thing, so
| hanny that the world held in that moment
nothing disagreeable.
"Thats the beginning" said my wise FRIEND
looking after her with sigh. 1.-THE end for
her, perhaps, will be hospital, or
the river, or long, long days OF
doom and degradation. Yet nothing
can be done to save her. IT'S cruel, too, that
what appears so comforting and attractive
TO her should be the means Of destroying her.
It is natural for her to be pleased with the
good-looLing scamps attentions. She can't
know that he is a scamp. Doubtless he seems
q god to her; the very man of whom she has
read In the story books, and Of whom she has
dreamed in her rosy day dreams. She loves
refinement good manners and beauty, and
finds them not in the men with whom she "a
daily thrown in her humble station.
"This young swell has bought something
from her in the store, most likely, and being
well up in reading the signs Of the affections
has seen that he has made an impression on
the confiding, unsophisticated little thing,
and is following 1t up. He met her purposely
this evening, of course He Is fattered. 100,
by the extravagant admiration she gives
him. He may have nothing but good viii Ia
his heart for her. Who lknowsl II II wera
not for the tongues of what Is known as $50
ciety . perhaps this little romance would not
turn out tragedy. But 1t will II will
There is a heartbreak in it for the girl, poor
thing. And for the youth loss Of something
he would be wise to keep, whether he VIII ID
conscious Of the loss or not"
NV friend continued: "A girl like that has
no chance in life, anyway. She has human
feelings--the same longings and loves are
common 10 all humauity-and II her heart
goes where her tastes do, ten to one 1t goes 10
It's own undoing. The hard worked people Of
the city have no society. They toll all day
and are too scattered and too fatigued to have
any pleasure together in the evening-yes,
and too poor. Every place Of entertainment
costs. Even a trip to the home OF friend
costs street car fare, and that Is an item 70
those whose labor brings them in merely
enough to keep themselves Sheltered fed and
clothed
have seen these Unmatched lovers several
times since on the street together at the same
} hour. The acquaintance has progressed rap
idly The youth has taken on an air OF own
ership toward the girl, and she seems very
happy to be owned by such a dazzling crea
ture OF course, he never visits her at hel
home, which is some respectable but over
crowded tenement house, or some CHEAP
boarding house, with the odor Of fish and
onions permanently in the dingy little pqrloI
, and gloomy hall. No, indeed, she couldn''
invite him there, for many reasons. He
, wouldn't go if she did. It wouldn't be to his
taste. No, he win continue to meet her a
! she goes from work until he has gained her
confidence, and then he viii suggest Other
meetings, and will continue TO entertain heI
in ways that appear princely to her, and tho
! end thereof will be misery. MAX ELTON