Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

It was early in June, and Helen Seebright
home from the shop, sat in low easy chair
gazing dreamiiy out of the window.
She 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 postrnan say, "A letter Tor Miss Ielen,"
before he was off again.
Helen had read and seen much; yet she inn
pressed one as having large amount of re-
serve force, which nothing III the experience
of her life had awakened. She had been
raised in one of the neutral states. At Ii she
came to a northern city tolivc with a wealthy
aunt and uncle, who We're 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 Helon's capacity
never says or does anything interesting" Two
years after her arrival north her portly uncle
died of apopAexy. Everything but one small
cottage went in SETTLING up his business. y
After Helen and her aunt moved into this
cottage they had just one $40 bill left.
Helen turned to her aunt and SAID: "What
shall do? | don't know enough to teach,
can't sew; for never made garment in
my life"
Gwen starve! Wen starve That is ALL"
said Mrs. Belle, in a Respondent tone.
1--WE will do nothing Of the kind" said
Helen with more spirit than she had ever
shown in her life
Putting on her wraps she went to Fourth
street. and entered the largest and most fash
ionabie stores, asking in each for clerkship.
The answer was either that the season was
rither too dull, or that they already had more
help than they needed. She did not give up
The next morning she entered the palmer
stores but she had no better success, and was
treated with even less courtesy.
At the end of the third day she was both
tired and discouraged. Turning to 20 home
she met Mary Paine young woman Of
wealth. She knew Helen well, and was ac-
quainted with the reyerses in her fortune.
At glance, she understood what her bust
ness was.
Helen, you are just the girl that | wanted
TO see. Ny father needs some one in the but
ton department., ana 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. 'W-hat
need | care.' she sand mentally "Shem means
to be kind. If / am to be q working woman,
| might well make up my mind TO share
the pain as well as the gain Of such life
When she spoke aloud, it was with tear of
gratitude that she said: Thank you, my
friend
Without any more ado, Miss Paine slipped
her arm through IIelens After walking a
half square in silence they entered one Of the
largest stores in the city.
''Father,n said Miss Paine, "hcre is Col.
Bellies niece, Miss Seebright. l haveselected
her to fill the vacancy III the button depart
ment. She is a capable girl and, with a little
instruction, will give you satisfaction
She walked Off leaving Helen alone in the
private office of the great merchant.
He looked at her steadily for a moment,
and then said "You do not want to talk too
much TO your customers. Remember that
you cannot DO too obhging. Ny success de-
ponds largely upon the courtesy of my en-
ployes"
He then struck little bell and one of the
floor walkers entered.
Mr.. Robinson he said, ''this is Miss See
bright, who is to have charge Of the button
department. You will please remain in here
and give her the necessary instructions.
will take your place
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 minutin of his instruction, he said:
"Your salary will be five dollars "A week
Report to me at half past Monday morn
ing
She knew that she was now dismissed.
While delighted TO obtain the stuation she
had many misgvings as to how they could
live on five dollars a week. She had business
insight enough TO know that in her unclc's
time their daily expenses We're 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 a higher salary. At the
end Of five years Mr. Paine asked her tc
come to his Office at o'clock How her
heart beat when she entered Not seeming
TO notice her excitement he said, pleasantly
Miss SeebriSht, you do good work, but
have always thought it wa N you to do bet
ter
II am sorry" she said, in trembling
voice.
But Mr.. Paine interrupted her: 81 am moi
finding faul With your work. There are
few women hsthe store that do better. To
the silk department, and you may take bel
place in the lace department"
THANK YOU" said Helen, and arose to go
but before she reached the door Mr.. Pain,
said, in a careless tone: your salary viii
be $40 a week"
Again Helen said "ThanS you;" but th
time it was in a tone that was at once
naughty and indifferent.
"Why is it, mentally CALCULATED Mr.
Paine, that the very women who neec
money the most are ever the proudest abou
the acceptance OF itg'
Helen was indeed at home among thos
soft, creamy hces. Sho handled them a
tendegly rs q student would IA rare manu-
script her touch seemed To have a mag
about it. Under her handling pattern
seemed almost 10 match themselves. How
it hurt her when people came in with soilec
hands and tool hold of thosa dnintv mashes