The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-11-01
MRS. GREY'S METHODS.
BY MRS. N. A. DENS1soN.

BY MRS. N. a. DENS1soN.
You don't believe Mrs. Grey is a Chris
tan. 1 am sorry to hear you speak in
that manner of so estimable woman"
Perhaps I should not have spoken so
decidedly, but I think 1 have good
reasons for what said. -
but you certainly overlook the fact
Of her usefulness in the church. Nobody
( gives more literally than she does. Only
last Sabbath, remember, she subscribed
fifty dollars toward our minister's salary
and in times of conference nobody en-
tertains more literally than she. think
she's perfect prodigy of benevolence. :"
81 dare say in such matters her lib
eraity is unstinted; but was not think
ing Of that. She is rich, I suppose-I
know she has kept that large store on
Marshall street for great many years.
Suppose We call there-it is on our way. :"
The two friends, Mrs. Abby and Mrs.
Brown, walked on together until they
came to an imposing store, where on one
side every conceivable kind of fancy
work was for sale, and on the other chill
drei.'s garments, chiefly for boys-coats.
pants and caps-a large and costly va
llety. Mrs Abby and Mrs. Brown aui
city stood on one side, for there were
several women at the latter counter-not
customers, it was evident, for they were
pale faced and shabbily dressed. A
snowy looking girl with red ribbons in
her hair stood behind the counter. pick
ing out sorted bundles and passing them
ever to these women.
'tMrs- Grey says you must take the
last batch home and make the button
holes oversize won't have such work,
slid the girl approaching a tidy-looking
woman who turned shade pale at the
asperity and supercilious manner of the
girl.
q thought they were done as good as
usual, said the woman with tremulous
lip, "but perhaps not. Mary was very
sick, you see, and she always makes the
button-holes-she's sick now. Wouldn't
they possibly dor"
Mrs. Brown stepped forward and
caught sight OF the button-holes. They
were good, as neatly made as she would
have wished, were the suit made for her
by.
mo, they won't do" said the girl
sharply, pushing the articles toward her.
,saYe them III you know
IS. Grey rule-not one cent unless the
shole Is done to suit her.
and I only get fifteen cents for the
whole, murmured the woman with
despairing look"
I'm sure the button-holes are very
neatly done, said Mrs. Brown, hoping
that word from her would have the
desired effect, ''they would suit me, and
I am quite particular. !"
''They wouldn't suit a majority of Mrs.
Grey's ustomers," said the girl with an
insolent side look at the impairment
stranger as she considered her, sand this
woman is none too particular at any time.
She often has to carry her work back,
and I'd advise her to get new pair of
sPectacles if she can't see BETTER
Dear Lordl" groaned the woman,
turning away, heart broken expression
darkenlng her pale, pinched features
shrinking almost from sight in her morti-
iication and despair; she who had silver
threads shining amidst the dark CLEAN of
hel' locks-she with all the rich exper-
fence Of maternity-with all the heavy
care Of the worlds neglect and poverty
with all the scars of hard. long fight
with temptation, privation, disease and
sorrow upon her, fippantly shamed by
pert, mindless, brazen girl of seventeen.
Mrs. Browns cheek was scarlet-but the
poor woman had crowded out and others
had crowded in.
A good-looking, coarse woman threw
down a bundle; it was examined and
passed. The girl took from a small box
one piece Of money and handed it to her.
The woman stared at it, rubbed her eyes
looked with puzzled face at the girl,
and then exclaimed:
"Why don't you give me the rest of
the money!
That's ali that's due, - said the girl,
'imake room.
''But I tell you there were Eve shirts
at twenty-five cents apiece"
And I tell you ttsy were only five
cents apiece, was the frowDing reply,
pretty profit we should make to give
twenty-five cents for those little things"
You deceived me, then" cried the
woman, her anger rising, ''for distinctly
asked you if they were twenty-five cents
=piece, and you said yes. Why there are
four rows Of stitching in the bosom"
won't you please to make roomf"
asked the girl, impatiently.
mot till I tell you what 1 think of
you, cried the woman, ''for you are liar
and a cheat Thank God, I'm not de-
pendent upon your work for my living,
and l pity them that are, that's all. You
may cheat the poor widow and the
orphan, but you won't cheat me again. -
The girl only curled her lips, for
pale, pinched woman who had been
waiting some time now eagerly crowded
up TO the counter.
"Oh, please put me in her place, I'll
be glad to work for anything if only l
can get it todo." She choked down the
tears and absolutely trembled in her
eageness (and her hunger l have no
doubt from head to foot
"Oh yes, you can have tive can get
plenty to take them at that price and
thank Us in the bargain, said the girl,
hearElessly, pulling down another bundle.
Mrs. Abby now inquired for Mrs Grey,
and was ushered into the showroom,
where portly woman stepped forward
much surprised and pleased-and learn
ing that they had come for a call she i'm
mediately ushered them by means of
stairway into her private parlor, splendid
room furnished with every luxury the
heart could desire.
"And how are you, Mrs. Abdy-and
you Mrs. Brown It's great while since
i have eeen lrof1 IN q church lent az