The morning call., 1893-05-31


va'ise on the train.''
"w here were you when you lost IL ?'
II was on the big boat that the cars go on
wanted TO see it. 10 got out OF the car and
lett my vallse on the car-all my money was In
II, but six bits had in little purse"
| How much money did you have?"
"reD dollars"
She looked at me hard as II she half Sus.
pected was lying. and said:
Come into The pailor- Our lady president
| happens TO be here ana we will consult with
her."
| The president was all ready for the street,
hut deferred her departure in order to listen TO
| my lale OF woe. Surely no one ever cross
examined more strictly than l by those Two
ladies. Finally the president said decidedly:
1T appears TO me this person should see
Chief Crowley"
That is just the thing" said the other ady,
who Is matron of the home. HE Will find that
| valise for YOU"
But where VIII 1 stay till he finds it ?'
"She can remain with us tonight" answered
the matron. looking questiOnngy at the presi-
dent
Don't you get work for girls to do?" 1
asked.
''Someumes we do. but we don't keep an in
tellieence Office. What kind of work do you
do?"
81 can take care of children"
"What had you intended doing before you
lost your money!"
81 thought would go to some hotel till got
work."
"And you say you lost only So Now. how
long do you suppose $40 would keep you in San
Francisco?"
"Oh, quite while, and then expected to 20
| to an Employment office and get something to
do right away. but have heard one his to pay
at an employment Office"
"Did you imagine you could obtain employ
ment immediately?"
"Why. yes; have always heard that there
were more places han there were girls to fill
them ana mat willing girl could always get
some kind of work"
"You don't know much of the world. do
| you?"
Iendeavored to look very innocent as an
swered.
mo, ma'am."
"What church do you attend?" further Ques
| TONED the president.
II don't often go to church, but when do l
| 20 10 the Catholic church."
Then Father Montgomery will probably help
you. OF course Will not refuse. but II Is Gus
| tomary for every church 10 help its own"
| But only 20 TO that church once in great
while. have no right 10 ask them TO help
me-"
well, 1t seems to me the best thing for you
| 10 DO now Is to see Chief Crowley
With that the president took her departure.
The M tron followed her TO The door and l was
left alone Ia The parlor. The rooms were very
pretty. They were handsomely carpeted, and
are filled With dainty furniture and brio. a-brac
| of riOus descriptions.
In Il few minutes he matron returned and
asked If were hungry. l said that L was not,
but | would like 10 wash my face and hands.
l thought l would get TO see the room they in
tended 10 assign me before started off 10 find
Chief Crowley, from which trip 1 had no inten-
zion of returning, but instead | was taken into
remarkably neat Kitchen. Everything about
1t looked as clean and sweet as could be. was
told could wash my face and hands at the
| sink. AS | look off my cotton gloves the ma
| tron. who was watching me, said:
''Your hands do not look as though you had
done much housewOrk."
No. ma'am. l have only made beds, taken
care of children ana such like" responded.
when l h flushed the lady said, walt
here ju't moment"
She went out and soon reappeared with her
hat on and said:
Now we VIII 90 10 Chief Crowley"
"But you are not going with me!' 1 gasped.
81 couldn't think of troubling you So"
"But you mot 20 alone. You could not
find your way"
"Oh. think could ask questions-just as
did In coming here"
But 1 would rather see that you were safe
myself"
This is getting serons.'' I thought, "Chiet
Crowley Will find me out In no time" Then
happy thought struck me and modeslly said:
Il would rather not have you GO in the street
with me-you DONE know me-"
"Why, are you not a respectable woman? ?"
This was worse still. looked at the sky, at
the ground. at the houses across the street, but
failed to find the inspiration l was seeking.
The matron's clear. good, honest eyes were
fixed on my face. and she repeated the ques-
| tiun.
Here was place to escape, but 1 didn't take
advantage OF 1t. for l iallered:
! eyes, ma'am."
well, come on, them" said the lady. ave
will go TO the Chiefs"
| 1t had gone far enough, and when told her
who and what l was she laughed. Then 1
thanked her for her Kindness and went home
TO doff my country rig and don my everyday
/ at ire.