The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-30
A STRANGE OLD WOMAN.
The Odd Vocation by Which
She Grew Rich.
NINE. RACHEL, CAPITALIST.
Her Children Are Not Proud Of Her, but
They Seek Her When They
Want Money
NINE. RACHEL, CAPITALIST.

LET me Introduce you to a character"
said lady who resides on Van Ness ave-
nue. to the writer, who was contemplating
a visit to her b0udoir.
On entering the apartment there was
seen an old Jewess looking over some dis
carded dresses, which were as good as new
and Of the richest materials.
well. madam" said the lady, as she
tossed her fine lined cloak for examina-
ton. what were you saying about your
children?"
EYES," the little dark wrinkled old
woman resumed, evidently where she had
left of, "my children are all too proud for
me now, but I've made them what they are.
They have to respect ME though, for | have
money yet" and she rubbed her wrinkled
face with both hands,
Those hard hands and the Bonded form
indicated that her life had been one of TOLL
rather than pleasure. She was quick,
6dgety and had bright, clear eye. There
was every evidence of shrewdness in her
face. and 1t would have been safe to have
made a wager that no one in the world
could have swindled her In this particular
line of business OF which she was mistress.
She was driving bargain with the lady,
who was one OF her numerous customers.
There were three dresses, quite new in APP
peaTance. OF rich material and elegant pat
tern. lying across the lounge, and the little
woman was fondling a sealskin sacque.
She had come to purchase all these at her
own figures.
The lady had sold her any number OF
castawav garments, and being spurred by
curiosity thought OF engaging In little
gossip with the woman whom she had
known so long and yet knew so little OF,
and she had succeeded well In drawing out
the first remark, which contained more in
H. .ts, tl..Wu hnA haNH LA.
dropped.
How many children have you, Nine.
Rachel?" she asked. for that was her name.
II have fve-twO bOys and three girls
and they are all well educated, too. l did
it with these two hands" and she laughed
as she held them up.
How is it that they have become too
proud for your"
.'You see. made such fine ladies and
gentlemen OF them that they cannot bear to
look on their old mother now. | gave nv
daughters each house when they married,
and my sons | started In business Even
my husband Is too heightened for me. and
he would like TO get my money If he could
and run of with another woman" and
Nine. Rachel clenched her teeth. But
I've turned him outl"
''Why. how terribly they have treated
YOU" said the lady, sympatheticly.
Yes; mine has been hard life. They
and do not notice me. If they want
money, though. they come to my house"
Then you must make great deal at
your business, madam"
"Oh, yes, do pretty well"
us there any one else engaged IN the
same calling as yours in this cityP" was
asked.
mo, not women; but there are hundreds
in London and New York. | have been in
the trade In both places. and came here be-
cause there Is more money in 1t. You see,
in London, when | was younger used to
90 to the houses of the nobility and buy
clothing. plato, broken jeweIry or anything
that there was to be had which might be
turned to profit. Often had to deal directly
with the lady Of the house, though some
times with servants. The prices were gen.
orally so high that there was othng In it,
besides l had TO ito the servants"
Your husband worked with you. sup
pose?
mo, no; that is the reason drove him