The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-21


School for Rhodyl
Nell seized upon the idea greedily, ss
something which in q dim mysterious
manner was to differentiata Rhoda from
the denizens of the alley, and give her a
place among the children she had seen
outside; the children whom in her envy
she had jeered at as "big.bugs.
| She, Nell, was to continue, upqueetion-
ingly part OF the life of the alley; but
Rhoda was to take her place in the world
outside.
The heart Of poor depraved Nell
swelled not with envy, but with pride.
Three years more passed. In school
Rhoda easily outranked the children OF
her age.
Absorbing unconsciously something
of responsibility, the saloon with it's
brawling men and women, the saloon
which was to Nell the incarnate idea of
life and pleasure, became to Rhoda in
tolersble
L hate it Nell; the drinking, and the
fighting 1 wish we didn't live here"
The words sank deep into Nell's heart,
though she could not sympatbize with
the feeling which prompted them.
Day by day she pondered. She settled
her plan doggedly before she ventured
to unfold it to Mistress Murphy.
I'm goin' into a laundry to work. Me
an Rhody is goin' to take room and
live. You're good to us. but it's the
drinkin' an the cussin' an all, Rhody
can't stand"
Now Mistress Murphy's theory that
"what'll kepe enc II kape two," while
plausible enough as theory, had failed
in the testing. She not only consented
to Nells plan; she helped her with such
disabled furniture as she could spare.
And now for seven years, Helen OF
Troy had been the bread winner.
1t had been no light struggle, but
somehow it had been done, and Rhoda
had never known that the dinner box
Nell carried daily to the laundry was
often carried empty.
"Rhody is goin' to graduate next week;
I'm having her lovely new dress made.
an she'll look as good as any on EN- SAID
Helen to the girl who worked next her in
the laundry.
Eyes; an yell drop down dead in yer
tracks before the day, if ye don't stop.
It's worked to the bone ye are now wild
sinding Rhody to school! She's no better
to come into the laundry an earn her
livin' n ye are"
The old spirit of 'LRy hand on Rho
dy n I'll scratch yer eyes out" flashed
from the eyes of Helen. 1t was only for
a moment; the years had taught her to
conquer.
"Rho6y's goin' TO be teacher. The
Board has promised her place as soon
as che graduates. She won't never have
no such struggle as I've had. I'm goin'
to take it little easier, too, when she
gifts so she can take care of herself"
eyes" muttered Bridget, "if ye'er alive.
It's maDy's the day I've seen ye iron all
day wild an empty stomach. I'll warrant
Rhody didn't study without bite OF
somethin'."
"Rhody didn't know, Bridget. would
not want she should"
] Commencement day it was whispered
that the girl who led her class was Bills
daughter; that by hard study she had
worked herself up from the life of the
slums.
But what mention of Helen? "Any
more of Bills family living?' inquired a
guest.
"Yes, one. She's only laundry girl
Can't read nor write. should hope, il
I were Rho1a, she would not find it,
convenient to be present to-day"
1t had not "been convenient" With
fevered face and CLASSY eyes she lay on
her poor bed at home.
81 guess tainted or something to-day,
Rhody. 1t was hot ironin' and I was so
tired"
She never went back to the laundry.
Three months later, when Rhoda was
fairly installed as public school teacher,
Helen of Troy, Nell OF the alley, folded
her tired hands, no longer red and
swollen, and went to rest-a humble I'M
known life went out. With patient toll
she had lifted a human life to higher
plane. "TIhey also serve who only stand
and wait" Who may estimate her work.
"Only laundry girl" but her influence
Green, IN Nel0 York Observer.