Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-03-27
MRS. RAYNE'S MONEY.

"There's very, very little worth living
for, said Margaret Lee, looking discOn-
solately down the street, as she set out
from her mothers house for her daily
work.
"That hot, humdrum store; those
people, always the same-looking out
for themselves, never caring how much
trouble they give or how torturing they
are with their whims. always ex-
pected to earn my own living, but
didn't expect to earn it this way. I'm
tined of it; I'm tired of everything!"
"You were pretty nearly late this
morning." said Janet Randell, the girl
who stood at the section in the great store
next 10 Margaret's. Janet and Margaret
were fast friends, and were talking TO-
cether in a moments lul.
eyes, it was so delightful outside,
and so close and stuffy in here" said
Margaret, with a half groan.
81 saw Mr.. Ives look rather sharply al
YOU as you took your place"
GOA. dare say" said Margaret
"Let him look"
but you might loose your situation
You wouldn't like that"
"Weu,I don't know that should care
much. It's ore form of slavery here
The worst that could happen would be
an exchange for another"
"There comes your terror, SAID
Janet, gliding back to her own place.
The "terror' was lady who had OF
late much frequented her counter, look
ing over her laccs, giving a good deal OF
trouble, and seldom making a purchase.
The saleswomen were allowed a small
percentage upon sales-a fact which
rendered such customers a severe trial tc
their patience.
al wish to match these pieces" said
the lady, showing some samples.
Box after box was ransasked, and
after an hours search, two Of the samples
were matched.
"Iam quite sure we haven't anything
nearer than this" said Margaret, refer
ring to the third. "See; it is so nearly
like it that the difference could scarcely
be SEEN"
"We have not looked in those boxes, "
said the lady, glaucing toward a row Oh
Ligh shelf.
"Those are of an entirely different
style, madam
But the lady insisted, aud Margaret
opened the boxes, one by one, for hei
leisurely inspection.
Impatient customers, tired of waiting
went away. From time to time Msrga
ret caught sympathizing glances from
Janet. but these were not all. She knew
she was being keenly observed by Heller
Winter, girl who stood near her on thr
other side. Helen had a cousin fol
whom she wishe to obtain a situation in
the store, and Margaret knew we'll tina
information of any flilure in patience Of
her part would promptly find its way t.
her employers.
Margaret showed no signs of annoy
ance
at seems to me you keep very poor
assortment, " said the lady, at last, turn
ing away.
Next came party Of customers, who
it might be hoped, would be less hard to
please-a bevy of laughing high schoo
girls, who, satchels in hand, had come
in to take a peep at fnery for the ap
preaching graduation exercises.
They looked at laces, ruching and
fans. with long discussion over ever!
article, ending in most cases with de
cision to refer the matter to mother o
sister. They were not very profitable
customers, but it was pleasant to serv
them.
As the sound of their merry voice
died away, feeling of longing for tn
good things which we're a part Of thei
happy, prosperous lives took possession
of Margaret. She had looked forward
to these things once, before the crue
fortune came which had bound her to thi
tircsome counter Again the burden
pressed heavily on her heart.
As one of the relays Of clerks was in
the lunch room, MIR. Ives, the superin-
tendent, entered.
"He has his speech making face on, "
whispered Janet to Margaret.
"And he's turning his attention to-
ward us, said Margaret.