Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-17
HELEN'S GIFT.

IL vas early IN June, ana deten Seepr12nS,
home from the shop, sat in a low easy chair
gazing drearnily out OF the window.
Sue heard brisk step on the porch, which
was followed almost instantly by short rap.
Her aunt opened the door just in time to hear
the postman say, "a letter for Miss Helen, -
before he was of again
Helen had read and seen much: vet she i'm
pressed ore as having a large amount of re-
serve force, which nothing in toe experience
of her life had awakened She had been
raised in one of the neutral states at IL she
came to northern city tofiye with wealthy
aunt and uncle, who were glad TO welcome
the orphan in their beautiful but childless
home
She. was lady both in appearance and in
manner. Though she had the real sea shell,
pink complexion and full, dark eye, no one
ever thought of calling her beautiful In
deed, many wondered what it was that her
face lacked that kept it from being hand
some. Strange" one of her friends said,
that a young girl of Miss Helenis capacity
never says or does anything interesting. Two
years after her arrival north her portly uncle
died of apople1y. Everything but one small
cottage went In settling up MS business"
After Helen and her aunt moved into this
Helen turned 20 her aunt and said: "What
shall do! don't know enough to teach,
1 can't sew; for 1 never made garment in
my life"
Wen starved Wen starvel That is all"
said Mrs. Belle, In respondent tone.
I'VE VIII do nothing of the kind" said
Helen, with more spirit than she had ever
shown in her life.
hay rta 70 h
street, and entered the largest and most fash
ionable stores, asking in each for caerkship
The answer was either that the season was
either too dull, or that they already had more
help than they needed She did not give no.
The next morning she entered the palmer
stores, but she had no better success, and was
tTeated with even less courtesy
AT the end OF the third day she was both
tired and discouraged. Turning to go home
she met Mary Paine a young woman of
wealth. She knew Helen well, and was &C
quainted with the reverses In her fortune.
At glance, she understood what her bust
ness was.
Helen, you are just the girl that wanted
to sac. Ny father needs some one in the but
ton department, and as usual came to me to
recommend one Of my friends. Our clerks
are my pride. never recommend one who
does not actually need the place for bread
and butter
Helen WINGED under this last speech. "What
need carer she said mentally. She means
to be kind II am to be working woman,
l might as well make up my mind to share
the pain as well as the gain of such life"
When she spoke aloud il was with tear of
gratitude that she said: Thank you, my
friend"
Without any more ado, Mss Paine slipped
her arm through Helen's After walking a
half square in silence they entered one of the
largest stores In the city.
Father" said Miss Paine, 'here is Col.
Bellies niece, Miss Seebright l have selected
her to fill the vacancy IN the button depart
nent She is capable girl and, with httls
instruction, viii give yoe satisfaction
Size walked off leaving Helen alone In the
private office of the great merchant.
He looked at her steadily for a moment,
and then said; ~ on do not want to talk too
much To your customers. Remember that
YOU cannot be TOO ohhgiEg. Ny success de-
pends largely upon the courtesy of my en-
ployes."
He then struck little bell, and one of the
aoor walkers entered.
Mr.. Robinson" he said. this is Miss See
bright, who Is 10 have charge of the button
department. You viii please remain in here
and give her the necessary Instructions l
VIII take your place"
It is, perhaps, not an exaggeration to say
that Helen learned more IN that half hour
than in any other month of her life. When
he had thoroughly tested her attention to
the minutise of bis instruction, he said:
Your salary will be five dollars week
Report 70 me at half past Monday morn
Ing"
She knew that she YVES now dismissed
While delighted 70 obtain the situation, she
had many misgivings TO how they could
live on tive dollars week She had business
insight enough 10 know that in her uncle'S
time their daily expenses were rarely less
than that amount.
At the appointed hour she reported to Mr..
Robinson, and entered the work with an
ease that SURPRISED even that calm business
master As the days went By she was given
harder work and higher salary. AT the
end of i've years Mr. Paine asked her to
come TO his Office at O'Clock. How her
heart best when SIZE enteredl Not seeming
10 notice her excitement, he said Pleasantly:
Miss Seebright, you 10 good work, but
have always thought it was III You TO do bet
ter
Il am sorry" she said, in a trembling
voice.