The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-13

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"But, sir, older women with patience
and skill and who are needy
"My rule is infexible," mpatiently
interrupting her, land I've neither
time nor inclination for argument;
you'd better"-but the applicant had
disappeared, the door closed with a
bang, and she, hurrying home quick
ly removed all traces of her disguise
and soon was relating the adventure
to her brother and sister.
$50 that is the way Mr.. Renfew
treats poor woman is it," exclaimed
Estelle Indignantly.
"Yes," said Emily, land though
hereafter he should speak with the
tongue of men or of angels shall
remember this"
"What has been your afternoons
experience Estelle?"
shortly before you came | went
below to give directions about dinner.
| know / must have said something
very absurd by the cooks expression
and l heard either the waiter or laun-
dry girl laughing. I retired in good
order. Yes, and society magnate
called and left invitations to party
given in honor of her son just re-
turned from Europe"
The next morning was a bracing
and beautiful one of early autumn,
and Emily, again the poor woman out
in quest of employment, entered a
public park and passing slowly along
through the crisp fallen leaves, was
considering her plans for the day. AS
she emerged from the enclosure into
the busy street, glittering sign at
tractea her attention. 1t was that of
an employment Office, evidently in the
upper fiat of large building. Some
girls were ascending the narrow out
side stairs. Obeying an impulse of
the moment she followed, and en-
tered large room where were seated
several young men, many girls and a
few women on the bare, worn rows of
seats. At the left was a little room
partly partitioned off from the large
one, evidently used as an Office. Sit
ting there at desk was large woman
with very red hair and very self-re-
liant manner who, beckoned to her,
and asked what position she de-
sired. Emily said a situation as
governess in family of wealth. The
woman looked at her in surprise; then
saying that something of the kind
might be found. Then depositing the
required fee as requested, Emily was
given a number and told to find a
seat in the waiting room. She found
one among the crowd, happily near
an open window, and began to look
about her. She became interested in
this study of human nature; in the
girls desiring work and in the lady
callers. The conversation between
mistress and maid was often amusing.
One woman, evidently past middle
age, attracted Emily and aroused her
sympathy. She had one of those
plain, honest faces one trusts at sight;
one who can read human nature.
Her hair was gray. Her dress of
dark calico was new and neat. Once
in while the tears, despite her efforts
to repress them, would come and she
would shrink back to wipe them
away.
When noisy e-piece struck the
hour of twelve there was general up
rising. Emily delayed until the poor
woman was ready, and passing down
into the street with her said by way
of introduction, "We are both going
the same way, | see. It's pleasant to
have company"
$50 tits, ma am, for lone body like
me in big city," was the ready an
swer.
"Have you lived here long?"
"No, bless you, only two days. 1
had little home only two miles out;
I've been a widow for years.
Il
"My daughter used to come to the
city every morning to sew in shop.
We got along pretty we'll till she took
sick and died, just four weeks ago. l
know now she worked too hard, but
she never would own it. My boy the
oldest child, went West five years
ago, and it's nigh upon two years
since I've heard a word from him.
swell, 1 reused up as soon as 1
could after she died, paid all my
debts, and had to give up everything
to do it. / came here with just three
dollars and have been trying ever
since to find a place to work. / can
do a good deal, but no one wants me.
/ don't know what | shall do"
l.