The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-11-30

leu OIL Drlskly for the mornings
run down town which kept The
roses glowing IN her cheeks in
spite of her confinement In the
store.
The time Keeper at the side door
greeted her with smile. "You are
five minutes early, Miss Wilbur
he said graciously.
She passed into the coat room,
which was filling fast, and put her
small lunch in her compartment.
took off her hat and hesitated un-
der a running fire of "What love-
ly coat, Miss Wilbur"
"ls that plusA?"
mo, indeed, sealskin, my, amt
we fine" ETC., etc.
Tessle's tones trembled slightly
as she tried to answer quietly.
"lts borrowed plumage"-but
she did not finish the sentence.
"Don't leave il down here"
whispered a kind hearted girl. at
won't be safe, and yon couldn't
make fuss if you lost it,"
She hesitatcd no longer, but TAX
ing the coat and her courage in her
hand, went over to The suit depart
ment, TO The head of which she
owed her situation.
"Well, Miss Tessie," he said, as
he looked up from his desk, "Good
morning, what can l do for you
to-dayW
"a great favor, please: will you
] keep this wrap for meg 1t was
/ papa's last present 10 mama, and
she made me wear 1t because
mine is being altered and wasn't
quite done. | don't like to leave
it IN The common cloak ROOM"
Certainly, certainly. Is that
all 2" and he hung the coat in his
private wardrobe. Remember
me TO Mrs. Wilbur" and with a
lighter heart Tessle went to her
post at the ribbon counter.
1t was a busy day in spite flow
ering skies. Everybody seemed TO
ce buying ribbons for Thanksgiv.
ing. and Tessie matched shades
and rolled and unrolled ball after
ball, trying as much as in her lay to
be all things TO all women in order
to earn her salary.
Size was glad when pleasant lit
tie Miss Baker, of the mail order,
came to her with long memoran-
dunn TO fill, and chatted brightly
over the task, promising before she
was through to bring her a lot of
samples Of reduced black goods for
her mother.
Then came her lunch hour, and
on her way back TO the counter a
visit TO the cashiers desk. Thurs
day was paw day, and being
Thanksgiving, the day before was
substituted. As she approached
the desk she was struck by the ex-
pressions of face in those who we're
leaving-some angry, some defect
ed; some scOwlIng, Others almost
in tears-and she was not allogeth-
er surprised when The amount was
handed TO her sixty cents short.
"All right" said the cashier,
frowning in answer 10 her look of
inquiry. "All salaries reduced 10
per cent. from the Diapers down.
Sign, please. Next" And she
was pushed away by those pressing
behind. The silver made her
purse sarcastlcally full, she
thought, bitterly, and it was fuller
yet, when, later in the day, she
placed The sample from Miss Ba-
ker in the same receptacle for sale
keeping.
When at last the long day was
ended, The ribbons replaced IN their
boxes, and she stood on the street
corner, waiting for her car with
the sealskin coat almost covering
her neat black dress, and a pretty
black hat crowning her golden
tresses, she fell herself a fraud,
and the fat purse in her hand was
but a piece with the rest of her
tout ensemble. Indeed, there was
nothing about her to suggest The
working girl; she Looked more like
a rich young woman belated in
shopping. II was too late TO walk,
and few flakes of snow were fall
ing which made the ride impera-
tive for the sealskin. Tessie prom
ised herself never 10 wear 1t again,
as she boarded the crowded car,
and felt she must stand while
longer.
But beauty, becomingly dressed,
has charms 10 melt the heart of
man, and a distinguished looking
gentleman, yOnng enough 10 be
impressed by such charms, gallant
ly offered her his seat. She sank
into it with grateful and graceful
thanks, and having paid her fare,
slipped her purse in her fur coat
pocket. People began to get out
and presently she was able to make
room Tor the polite gentleman
who vacated his seat in her favor.
Having done so she looked straight
out the window, as = well bred girl
should do. Two men on the other
side Of her, men Of substance, evI-
denlly, we're talking. A sentence
caught her interest. Il see Ora
her has sent 10000 70 the suffer
ers by the western AOOd's"