The evening times., 1896-01-13
SHA BBY LITTLE ROOM.
Rented 1t for 81 Month on Gordo,
Ayeuue.

| Avenue.
| The other house was not dirty. The fle
| were bare, with rag rugs on them,
| there was lounge aud rocker and wooden
| chairs about the room- 1t was shabby,
/ poor little place, but clean The stairs
| went up out of the kitchen, little box of
| place. There were two rooms above just
| like those below, and she proposed to give
\ me the front room. 1t was not a bad place.
| There was cheap modern bedroom set in
| the room and white null curtains at the
| windows.
Ifelt the room was worth 81, though the
whole house rent was ouly $3.50, and
had a fieeting notion to really come down
here and live aud be an idealist for these
people, but the notion was extremely fleet
ing. l had only to look out into the court
| to dispel it. And yet that court aud that con-
dition of things is my fault Just as much as
any ones.
There is not one person in the city who
can be free from blame for the blottiug
spots where mismanagement and wasteful-
| ness prevail. The solidarity OF humanity is
so positive and actual that that court
or any other court cannot exist without
| having its effect upon the mansions in
the northwest.
The one thought that had possession OF
me was educati 1 wanted 10 see every
child of the alley led out to an industrial
school to learn how to work aud how to
think. If in the process OF the suns hu-
manity had learned philosophy Of life call
ed civilization, why did it leave such sloppy
dirty edges to its work? Edges of alleys
and courts, where life breeds faster than
elsewhere, and where no one seems to have
fs.nrr md lrir "
let alone think.
/ told the last little woman that I would
Ia ke her room, and the missionary departed
and left me. ] had nothing to do there.
however. and / explained that I had va
rious calls to make. looking for work, and
would be back to stay over night. l went
out of the alley and retraced my way TO II
street TO go to the branch office of the
Associated Charities.
l rang the bell of a modest little house
and was admitted by dear little gray
haired woman. who was weakened and
bent with care, but who radiated kindli-
ness in every word and glance. The
room was humbly but cleanly furnished,
and the little old lady was eating a
luncheon out of a little box. She explained
to me that she couldn't do anything for
me. as it was after hours, and in the same
breath proceeded to ask me all about my
self and what / wanted. She could't help
it; she was afraid she would turn away
needy case.
THE BRANCH OFFICE.
''what is it you want, my girl? What u
your name?"
/ told her my name and my story
MY dear child. and have yoI been here
all that time without WORK.
The thing looked incredible to me when
she put it in that way. 1t was certainly
very stupid story, so 1 modified it. I
told her had had employment in a variety
store on the Avenue during the holidays.
but had earned very little and had lived
it all up. and 1 told her about selling my
clothes little by little and getting SO very
shabby.
Are you in trouble Jennie? Now tell me
the truth
mo, ma'am; I'm a good girl, ma'am.
I've had Il hard time. that's all, and I'm
willing to work at anything. 1 was proud
at first. but I'll do any kind Of work now"
II know, dear; but there are so many like
you looking for work. and you are not
strong and able to do the heaviest work"
Bat am willing, very willing. indeed,
ma am. and I'm clean and quick"
"Oh, I know: but this town is so full OF
such girls. Why don't you go back to
Chica go?'
go back to Chicago! whereinever would
get the money!"
II think the Associated Charities would
get you transportation to go back to your
friends. You see, there is nothing for you
to do here, except nursing and housework,
and SO many girls to do it,"
But should think could get a govern
ment place. l can write very nicely
"Oh, my dear, what notion! Why,
you'd have TO have influence and pass a
civil service examination. No, you had
better try to get place for housework,
and then Til talk to them about you a
Continued on Seventh Page.