Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-10

tire with old fashioned bonnets on their
heads, and altogether a picture of humble
nesa Many of them are old women, whose
gray hairs and intirmities are painfully Wis
ible As Mr.. Rose and walked through the
corridor, one of the women standing in the
foreground Of group of her fellow workers,
suddenly looked up, and. seeing us, quickly
pulled over her face thick veil and drew
away as if 10 avoid notice But Mr. Rose
was too quick for her He had seen the wo-
mans face before the veil was drawn, and
he walked up to her and spoke to her, In 8
few moments be joined me and told the fol-
lowing story:
THAT woman" said he, sis fair type of
these charwomen. | have known her and
her family for good many years. She is
from one of the best families in the south
A quarter of a century ago her father owned
large plantation and several hundred
slaves. She never knew a wish at that time
that was not quickly gratiied. She was ed
ucated In Europe, and married an army Off
Ger, also of good family. The war ruined
both her husband and her father, and not
long after the close of hostilities her husband
died Of wounds received in battle. Her
father came here for two terms as congress
man, but finally died poor. This woman
married again, most unfortunately. Her
second husband was scapegrace. who quick
ly ran through with the little bit of property
his wife brought him, and then deserted her
1.-Two or three years ago she obtained
position as charwoman She did this be-
cause she had young children to look after,
and did not wish to take work that would
make it necessary TO leave them all day.
Now she comes to work at 4 o'clock and quits
at 6, and though she can't live ON the $40
month paid her by the government. she has
little income in addition TO this, and manages
to get along. Several times | have seen her
here, but she has always avoided me, because
/ had known her in the days of her prosper
ity. She has always worn that veil on her
bonnet, to be pulled down quickly at the
approach of any of her former acquaintances
That shows you what woman's pride is
Several times have been ON the point Of
speaking to her, but dessted because feared
it might embarrass her.
To-day, however, | could not resist the
temptation to speak, and to tell her it was
time to drop such foolishness az hiding her
face before an old friend. told her had
much respect for her now as had when
she was rich, and, if anything, little more.
/ asked where she lived and told her my
wife would call and see her. And she will,
too II there is anything which is a distinct
i've part Of a genuine American, in my opin-
ion, it is not allowing the ups and downs Of
fortune TO make any difference in ones
Friendships"
/ am told that a number of these charwo-
men wear wells or large bonnets like the old
fashioned sun bonDets, in order to conceal
their identity from chance passers by They
are women who have seen better times. and
who are ashamed TO be seen in such humble
employment.
happen 70 know a young woman who
went TO work on the charwornan force a few
weeks ago. She is but Is, beautiful, well
educated. Last winter she was in the chorus
of an opera company, where her handsome
figure, good voice and pretty face were
enough to earn fair salary. But she had
one fatal defect IL was modesty When
clothed In the costumes Of the chorus which |
were contrived, of course, 10 bring out her |
shspeliness and vonanly charm, she habitu- |
ally shrunx behind Der companions and was |
afraid 20 face the glare Of the foosAgh.s and /
the scrutiny of the audience Sne tried very
hard % overcome her repugnancs 20 the /
wearing Of tights. but found IL impossible !
She was scolded by the stage manager and /
coaIed by the star and the ladies Of the com
pany. but without avail she VIVA at Las. |
discharged, and on returning % Washington /
could find nothing homes. TO do bat the work /
Of a charronan in the treasury. There abe /
is now, plain and lowiy fgurs. whom DO 1
body would recognize as the pretty bu. mod /
est chorus girl Of the " inston Opera con-
pany.
Outsiders have 10 idea Of the pressure there /
is upon public nen for places for women In /
the government. servics A common notion
Is that ssnator or Congressman can get 1
places for as many women a b. vizbes sr.d /
that al be has 70 do IL 10 write q note 10 a /
member OF tie cabinet or a b1rean CHIEF Ia /
the Old days, before tie civil service mill mo
nopoiized TIE pulling Ct o91ces, this was In
measure true and the abuses vhich sprung
p Under tns' sTssern were 70 disgusting tia.
sFeryo BODY must &c glad . new method - las.
prevails In toe treasury and other depart
Dent~ are stu few vesslxes of tss era
tns~n A. 67ccaneer7nx days. when piaoss
vers gwen &C; tnroagn favxlsE, ana vn9
Hsb.ic naen By tne scors tack sdvsnsAss q
&c opportunities which soch icsueScs gave
6sn- As t5s department. p~opss corns
t-eA<ning CIT Of the o.g b1iidings a: O'Clock
1@ Old rezsdsz: Of " Arlington VIII point cat
dozen o. 80 Of women, most q them aging
'aps.y though dong their Bot with rorss
I'D paint and false appurtenannss TO nSn'
z the yayazex Of tine, uDo we're TIE ssrog~
,es Of men now dead, and WHOSE rarrss nass
sasss1 into the hissory o. their ooantry. II
u TIE stories cosd os these rersocs are true,
I'D fcs rAzoez which q nation kcoosz vsfs
scsoAlsy daccaS.od @ tss SosEScS aysy ssey |