Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-11
CopxV,6Hr IRIS =

parlor, only to be used on state oc.
casions. But the browning figure Of
this homelike scene was the young
mechanic, George lIarland, as he sat at
n table with his three-year-old boy on
his knee. He looked ut his wife as she
spoke, md merry gleam lii his honest
brown eyes.
"Why, Nell, what freak OF prudence
has bitten you now? II n master ship
wright, earning four dollars q day and
doesn't spend II cent In drink, has cause
to be scared ut getting into book
agents debt few weekly installments,
why"
But, George, you might take sick,
and"
pigs might fly. Pshaw, girl, there's
not much Of the interesting invalid
about me; now, Is there? Then, there's
that prizc-packet lodger upstairs,
whom you scduced into paying dol
lar md half II week for his room"
"0h, yes, he's very nice, isn't he? But
fear he's out Of work, and, though he's
such n perfect entleman, ! don't think
we can rely on his stopping with us for
long"
George laughed with enjoyment at
his wife's forcbodings; It was rather
too good Joke to think that n Chicago
shipwright in full pay couldn't aiford
to indulge in the purchase Of picture
book.
lyon are incorigible, George" the
wife said with laughing lips. Then a
little seriously; as 1t likely to be q
busy season at the dry-dock?"
You bet Why, Moore 4 Marston
have more orders on hand than they
Gun ever fill. The Red Star company
has the lines laid for n hundred thou
sand dollar passenger boat. Burroughs
" Watts have given orders for two
first-class tugs, and there are SIX barges
know will be turned out of our yard
this summer"
"rimes should be good, George"
" Never better
AT that moment the front door opened
md a young woman cntered--a tail,
shapely girl, with good features, and
fair hair lying on her forehead like a
cloud OF feathery glory; yet, there was
n shadow Of unhealth in the Aawlcss
transparency Of her complexion, and
her step lacked the litheness and &C.
tivity OF buoyant youth.
Alice Palmers lines had not been cast
In pleasant places, except so fur as she
was enabled to board with her sister,
Mrs llarland, She "clerked" in great
dollar bazaar kept by Hebrew mer.
chant, who cared nothing for the help
less girls who sold his glittering wares,
knowing well that when one broke
down-as, poor things, they were often
In the habit Of doing-there were score
to take her place.
"You look tired tonight, Ally" the
mechanic said anxiously, as the girl
took her place at the table
"rired!' she replied, II am clean
worn out A big country excursion
came to the city to-day, and the store
was over-run. You'd DO tired too
George, II you'd had to stand twelve
hours without rest, and with tho
thought ever uppermost in your mind
that In this land Of boosted prosperity
there were thousands like you, selling
their young lives and hopes for q beg
carly payment that just keeps them In
food and clothes"
Seems to me-" said her brother-in-
law gravely, there's something wrong
in state Of society which permits such
lhings; there ought to be law to put
: stop to 1t. There ought to be q
aw passed to compel employers Of
female labor to pay fair wages and de-
,ent treatment. But, Ally, throw the
hing up, and rest till you can better
yourself, You know how welcome YOU
ire to live with u.s.
ut may come to that, George, for
that has happened today
eads me to expect my discharge on
saturday night"
"0h, Ally, dear, how Is that? They
cemed to think so much Of youq"
hrs. llarland asked.
at was through no fault of mine.
lou know Charlie Grant, don't youq"
1.-THE reporter on the Herald who Is
ding to marry Carrie Chambersp Yes,
ure."
SWELL, he came into the store to
i've Inc a message for her, and while
G was talking to me Mrs. luddulph,
he millionaire pork-packer's wife-oh,
'ellie, how | do hate those new rich
eople-drove up In her carriage and
'alked straight to my counter. Char
e stood respectfully aside till she
hould give her orders, but as soon as
he had seated herself she began a
rade against servant girls, and wound
p by Indignantly demanding why
ms stuck there behind counter, in,
'ead of earning an honest living as a
omestic, when hired help was hardly =
be had for love or money"
"What did you say2" +,
u felt ready to sink with vexation; ,
ut | dared not reply, for she is good y
lstomer; but what do you think Charlie .
rant did? He raised his hat in the n
olitest manner, and said 10 voice s.
nat could be heard all over the store. u
lou ought to be very grateful to Mrs q
iddulph for her kind advice. She :
'eaks from experience. you know, for . .
. lrdsher husbands cook 5sfops he married y !.
NJ" v
George burst into a hearty roar of
lighter Good for thy newspaper =
,yl" he said, that was well DONE n
"Ah, but Mrs. Biddulph did not think U
. While all the clerks and cnstomara