The state herald., 1900-02-09
76's VALENTINE.
lrrom Chicago 1n,er.oeean.1


little set knew 1t because she quit
"stickin' in" for coffee at noon. she
walked to and from work-that is,
in theory she walked, for she often ran
for blocks at time to ward being late
either. at the store or at home, for no
one was supposed to know she did not
ride. She took the 10 cents her moth
ride both ways or ride one way and
get coffee. whichever seemed best.
Seventy-six was queer combination
Of child and little old woman. like most
OF the cash girls in department stores.
She saw and heard great deal every
day Of her busy life.
And Seventy-six had an ideal, in the
person Of little Miss Magee. the CASH
Ter to whom she took her checks. Miss
Magee was slight, short, sweet. little
body, with great quantity of pale
reddish hair that was the delight OF
all the cash girls hearts. 1t stayed
in" SO good all day. But Seventy-six
in particular longed for red hair and
little hands and every charm possessed
by Miss Magee. So when st. Valen-
tines day came and Miss Magee got a
nice bunch Of violets delivered by a
messenger boy. Seventy-six made a
mental resolution that she would have
like that one II she lived to the next
St. Valentines day. and everyone
would think she had "a fellow" and
that "he sent 'em like Miss Magee's
fellow did" And after the severe
strain of the holidays was lifted a lit
tie in regard to her earnings, she se-
cretly commenced to save up.
Poor little Seventy-six! To save up
meant to her to walk miles twice day,
though sometimes she got little
hitch" on friendly express wagon.
but she'd be nearly home when shed
hitch" No one would see her away
out on West Twelfth street. When
she couldn't run or get little ride
and came home late she glibly invent
ed excuses all very plausible. Chang
ing stock around" was one; getting
in new goods" that had to be opened
and fixed at once. was another, and her
mother and little sisters noted her
great Importance at the store.
One Sunday afternoon she canvassed
the florists stores and the combination
florist and undertaking establishments.
where prickly looking pillows made OF
hard, dry flowers, with '"Rest" done in
purple in the center, and white satin
slippers were displayed in the win
dows. Up on one side of the street
and down the other she sought violets
TO inquire as to prices, but she never
found even one. Next day at noon she
got permission to go out and she had
not far. to seek n florist. and the wise
young man there told her violets were
from rs cents up" and that they
were scarce and would be scarcer and
she would have to or,ier them a few
days ahead II she wanted any. Then
she hurried back to the store. and
when she was reporting to the time
keeper. Mr.. Goldstein. head OF a depart
ment, laid his hand on her shoulder
and asked her number.
Il think. Seventy-six you are getting
tall for cash." he SAID. and still hold
ing her by the shoulder he half pushed.
half led her to the rear OF the store.
and word went round that Seventy
six was fired"
Whenthey reached the wrappers and
inspectors desk he found her place
there and told her II she was as good
wrapper and inspector as she had
been n cash" she'd be all right. She