The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
WAS 1T A REAL GRIEVANCE?
BY LEANDER S. KEYSER.

A T first Mrs. Gilbreth felt quite
IA iattered by Mrs. Amanda
Dugal's call, for it must be remem-
bered that Mrs. Amanda Dugal was
one of the most prominent women OF
the church. Besides, she was wealthy
and, disguise it as she would, that
fact had some weight with Mrs. Gill
breth.
After a friendly chat of five or ten
minutes, the visitor stated that she
had come not only to call, but also
to attend to little Grand. She
said:
1.-The ladies of our church have
undertaken to recarpet the audience
room. You know it needs a new
carpet"
It can not be denied that Mrs. Gil
breth's countenance changed some
what, for she knew what was COM
ing.
$50, in order not to slight any
body, l thought l would ask if you
would contribute something to the
fund.-" observed Mrs. Dugal, smiling
cordially.
Why-I-can't give much, I'm
afraid
"Give just what you feel you can
afford That is all we ask of any one.
If each one gives something, we can
get the carpet very easily" And she
handed Mrs. Gilbreth the subscrip-
tion-book.
After knitting her brows for mo-
ment, Mrs. Gilbreth put down the
sum she thought she could afford,
and then paid the amount. Mrs.
Dugal smiled so pleasantly, and
seemed to be SO cordial, without put
ting on any condescending airs, that
Mrs. Gilbreth really felt delighted
with her visit, even if it had cost her
five dollars. She was specially CRATE
full when her caller, in leaving, said:
81 hope we shall become better &C
quainted, Mrs Gilbreth. Please
consider this a call, and return it
when you find convenient time"
Then Mrs. Dugal went to the next
number on her list, making perhaps
twenty calls that day.
"Myl But you feel perked up, Mol
lie." twitted Mr.. Gilbreth when his
wife told him about her "aristocratic
visitor"
"It was worth five dollars to be
treated like an equal by such a
prominent woman, let alone the good
the money will do" chirped Mrs.
Gilbreth, as she poured the tea.
"I'm going to return her call, too.
One gets into nice society by joining
the church, doesn't one?"
sometimes" admitted her hus-
band.
For two days the little woman lived
in an atmosphere of what might be
called self-gratulation, and then the
thin film of the bubble was suddenly
broken. 1t happened in this way:
One day she was walking along in
the main street Of the city, when
suddenly, half block ahead of her,
Mrs. Dugal doomed before her eyes.
The street was not crowded, it is true,
yet people were constantly passing
one another. AS the two women ap.
preached each other, Mrs. Gilbreth
began to pucker her lips for the
friendliest smile she could manufac-
ture. She would not be outdone by
Mrs. Dugal in the cordiality of her
greeting. They came nearer to-
gether. Now they were passing each
other. Mrs. Gilbreth was looking
straight at Mrs. Dugal, and was be-
ginning to smile effulgentlY. Then
what happened' Mrs. Dugal passed
by, and never noticed Mrs. Gilbreth!
1t is not necessary to describe Mrs.
Gilbreth's feelings. Her heart sank,
and she actually gasped for very sur
prise, dismay and chagrin.
THE proud, bigoted, selfish old
plutocratl" she burst out, when she
described the incident to her hus-
band that evening. She was crying
when she spoke. "Yes, yes, when
she wanted money, she could find me,
and she could be very friendly, and
she knew me well enough; but when
she met me on the street with other