The morning call., 1891-11-28
BELL BELT.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.
HELENA.

s""'s''
That was the name pinned to the little
skirt Of the baby found in the basket at
the bakers door, in Fiftleth street-plnned
by an old-fashioued cameo brooch, with
"B B." cut on its back
Il want the baby called Bell Belt was
written in pencil on the paper. Pm too
poor to keep it. God bless those that will
/ shall know who they are
The bakers old wife had no children, and
the baker let her do as she chose. She kept
the child, and it grew TO be girl OF 10 be-
fore the old people died.
They had petted her, had her taught
something. dressed her well. but there was
no will Relations from Germany trooped
down on the property, nothing was thought
Of Bell, and she found herself with trunk
ana a little purse OF money-Very, very
fttIe-thr0wn upon her own eXertlOnS for
a livelihood.
Sne was not clever, nor educated, only
pretty, and mild, and timid. The work she
found paid i'll, and stopped at last alto
gether.
A hard old laudlady threatened to turn
ner out OF her half of the bed, in little hail
bedroom, and her good clothes went bit by
bit to pay her way.
At last wearing shoes that chung to her
feet only by miracle, her marvellous, dark
patched and frayed aud time worn, she
went about asking work and receiving only
denials. She was SO handsome, so shabby,
that they had doubts of her-these SNUG
people sitting in their trim warehouses.
They chose to employ palmer girls in better
clothes.
One hungry Saturday came the threat Of
dismissal from her poor home hanging like
the stored sword we all know of over her
head by a single thread, and she found her
self at the entrance Of great factory.
She crept in shyly, seeking in vain the
persons who could give or refuse her work,
and turning first to one door and then to
another, finding only an old man who swept
up some scattered rubbish with great
bosom, until, suddenly, from dark pas
sageway rushed a crowd Of girls, OF women,
large, small, Old and young, who, in their
hurry, took no notice OF heI. Sae was
pushed against the wall, aud watched them
as they ranged themselves IN groups and
turned their eyes on tall, thin, we'll
dressed woman who carried a leather bag
In one hand and . red account-bOOk in the
other, until she had mounted high stool
before a desk, and opening the book, COM
menCed a sort Of roll-call.
Bell was too we'll used to factories not to
know that it was payday; and the hungry
eyes watched what went on with the envy
the penniless must feel at the sight of
money, in a world where money is so much.
The sum paid 10 each was small, and as the
signatures were made certain deductions
were spoken Of One or two girls cried
over theirs, and were comtorted by their
friends, but the rOll-call, the signatures
and the payments went on very regularly
on the whole, until one lady at the desk
called out:
Lizzie Williams"
Then girls shrill voice answered:
"She's dead, Miss Alberts; died yester-
day
Dear me-" responded Miss Alberts, with
the air of saying what was expected of her.
How sudden. In the midst Of life We are
N DEATH let us all remember that Will
some one notify her relatives that the
money will be paid to them?"
One after the other the slim lady called
the girls names and mentioned the amount
she gave each aloud, as signature was
made in the book. Il few deductions were
made for having been late or having spoiled
something. One Of the girls burst into
tears ana was led away sobbiEg by friend,
who whispered that " 1t was a shame" a.
they passed the wall against which Bell had
been crowded.
But usually the coming and going went
on without delay. until the end was nearly
reached, then
Lizzie Petrol" called the paymistress.
Lizzie is dead" cried shrill voice.
Good gracious, how suddenw screamed
another.
"She was drowned at picnic last night"
said the informant.
In the midst of life we are in death ="
said the paymistress. in a formal manner,
as one who feels something is expected of
her. II trust you will all remember this.
If the poor girl has parents, the money will
be paid to them. Some one let them know
please! Bgonia JamesH
- Pm to fetch it to her. I'm her sister.
She's got married." said small, bright
"Very well, sign for her." said she.
Rengenuna Jones, step up"
Pm to take hers home. I'm her sister
She's got married." replied very small
girl, near the desk.
very well, sign for her aud take it,"
said the lady at the desk. Bella Belt!"
Bell gave great start
Bella Belt" repealed the paymistress.
"I .han't wait here all night for the last
girl on the list Is Bella Belt dead or mar
ried? Some one answer. She must be a
new hand. I've never paid her before.
Bella Belt, come and get your money"
The girls looked about them. Some Of
them stared at Bell.
"What is your name?" asked one.
BELL Belt-Isabella Belt" replied Bell.
We'll, go get your money; you must be
stupid" cried girl.
- don't think she meant me-" said Bell.
Here she is, Miss Alberts," cried the
girl. "She don't quite understand"
You are to come here, Bell Belt, and get
your four dollars and fourteen cents. The
rest Of the five Is deducted for absence.
Hurry! want you to sign your name
cried Miss Alberts.
Poor Bell! She knew that there was 2
girl in the factory that bore her name, but
it occurred to her that she might be dead
or married, as the two others had been, and
she was hungry, tired almost without power
to fight against her faith. One pushed her
another pushed her. She stumbled against
tho desk.
Your name Belt?" asked Miss Alberts,
in furry of Impotence.
Yes, ma'am, but" began Bell.
can't help the Deductions" said Mis-
Alberts. Pm deducted myself if | d on
do as / ought. It's business. Don't talk I.
me about it. here. take the PEN Sign you,
name there"
Bell took the long red handle in her fin
gers and wrote isabella Belt" on the line
indicated, and instantly four dollars am,
fourteen cents were put into her hand.
The book was closed with a slam, ant
Miss Al5erts dropped from her high stoo
and stalked out Of sight
Little greeny, you'll never get on if yol
don't look out sharper for yourself" said
cood-natured young giantess at her elbow
ave have to jump payday, / tell you"
Others giggled at Der, but with horrible
consciousness that she was a thief, making
her heart throb like some strange engin,
within her, shaking her whole frame, max
ing her tremble in every limb, she crept on
and away. and sat down Oil the steps o
the closed factory to come to herself
Trying to comfort her conscience, she re
heated these arguments over and over agaiI
TO herself:
II never said a word; I'm starving.
honIa elaan in the streets If i didn't pa