Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-27
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| "Are your"
Tiny strove to speak unconscion sly
although the deep crimson flushed hel
neck and brow.
"Would you object to my going with
your II nave great curiosity to SET
the inner workings of one of those grea
! manufacturing establishments"
81 shall be glad of your company"
sDo they pay you welis" went on Tiny
affecting to be deeply interested in re
moving speck of mud from the hem oil
Bridget's brown cloth cloak. Mrs. Star,
shook her head sadly.
starvation prices, Tiny, and Mr.. Sar-
gent has just cut down the wages one
quarter. He says times are hard and he
can not meet expenses"
"Yet he drives the handsom est horses in
New York and lives In a brown stone
palace" observed Tiny.
81 know i, but such is the universal
| justice between employer and employed
We are powerless and they know it, these
grinding rich people.
! So she folde up the bundle of neatly
sewn shirts as he spoke and putting on
her own worn aud shabby outer garments
| "You will be good and quiet, Charlie
and not go near the fire until mamma re-
turnsf" she added, pausing on the thresh
old.
Eyes, mamma" the child answered
| with docile meekness.
aHe was accustomed to being left
alone, poor little fellow, and then Helen
and Tiny set forth together on an errand
| entirely novel to the latter.
1t was "pay-day" at the establishment
of Sargent i Copley, and long string
of worn-loOking women, some young and
some old, but all pale and punched, like
plants that have grown in the shade, were
| waiting their turn for the miserable re-
Enumeration due them.
Mr.. Copley, fat, oily-looking man,
with a white neck cloth aud beaming
spsctacles, stood behind a ponderous
| ledger, day book, and Mr.. Sargent,
with an expression of face very different
| from what he had that morning worn in
Tiny Clarence's boudoir, leaned against
the edge of the desk and took in the
work, examining and commenting on
| it as he did so.
For Mr.. Sargent chose himself to super
| intend this portion of his business. Nor
was the tongue OF SANDER behind hand
in proclaiming that he contrived to make
money out of this personal supervision.
"Clara Coyt!" he called out sharply, as
pale, freokled, young girl neared him,
show much due Clara Coyts Ten dollars
and seventy cents. Take off $1-work
CREASED from sewing machine"
"But, SIR" began the girl.
"Niue seventy here you are! Pass
on, Clara Coyt! Now, then, Mary Macal
ister-behind two days. Fine Mary Mac
alister SO cents"
h.. TO
agine faults, vigorous to punish. meroi-
less to exact fines, until scarcely one of
the waiting tAropg received the amount
of money fairly due her.
When Helen Starts name was called,
she advanced timidiy, with her brown
clad companion at her side.
"Helen Starr!'' sharply enunciated Mr..
Sargent, scrutinizlng her roll of work.
"Four dollars-dejuct 40 cents"
"On what account, sir? faltered Mrs.
Starr.
"Work soiled in making up-pass on!'
"You are mistaken, Mr.. Sargent, in
Decd" pleade Helen Starr; SHE stains
were on the linen when it was given out to
me. 1t is not in the least soiled in my
hands"
81 can't stop to argue matters with in
snarled Ernest Sargent. Take your $3.50,
Mrs. Starr, without any more words, or
leave the establishment. We can get
plenty of hands who won't tell lies"
Helen Starr grew crimson and then
pale, but knowing her own inter help
lessuess in the hands of this human
vampire, she was about to take the miser-
able sum rendered her and pass on her
way when low, soft voice at her side de-
tanned her.
"Helen, stop an instant. Mr.. Sargent
and turning back the long black veil
which had hitherto concealed her face,
Tiny Clarence looked calmly into the rich
bully's eyes. 81 am sure that my friend,
Mrs. Starr speaks only the truth. You
lose all claim to the uame of gentleman
when you allow yourself to speak thus in
solently to sught bearing the stamp and
image of refined womanhOod."
"Miss Clarence" he stammered, over
come with confusion, there is some mis-
take hera. -"
"There is go mistake" she answered
calmly contemptuous. 81 have been near
making one that might have lasted life
time, but my eyes are fortunately opened
Pay Mrs. Starr the money rightly due her
| and let US leave this den of money max
ing iniquity!"
Mr.. Sargent paid Mrs. Starr the 81 with
undisguised awkwardness, and strove to
detain Tiny as she turned away.
miss Clarence," he faltered, Twill you
allow me TO explain"
"No, Mr.. Sargent" she answered
haughtily, 81 will never allow you to speak
to one again!"
| She kept Der word. Ernest Sargent's
nature had been tried in the balance OF
her womanIy discrimination, and found
wanting.
Tiny Clarence was heart whole still!