The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-13

cannot earn more than 30 cents an
hour
"For herself, see? For herself! For
me she might be maxim n couple Of dol
lars. So, as her time pelongs to me py
contract. If l let her off. Why, I'm de
loser, my friendt und I'm n poor hard
vorllin man. vid n large family, und"-
Mr.. Mitchell was too disgusted to dis
cuss the subject further; so, taking
two dollar bill from his pocketbook, he
placed 1t in the outstretched palm Of
the old screw and said shortly:
"There's your price. Now, send the
girl out to me-"
The Jew clutched the bill hungrily,
yet either his curiosity to know what
the stranger wished with the girl or
some lingering qualms Of conscience
made him hesitate, and he said:
''You're very kind, but dis is lcetle
irregular l shall haf to ask What you
want vid &c girl. You see, she's re.
spectacle girl, und If any harm vas to
come to her | should never forgive
myself-never. so help me Abraham
This eXaspcratcd Mr.. Mitchell. and
he angrily eXclaimcd:
"Silence, you miserable wretch! Send
the girl out to nc ut once, or I'll have
an inspector down here within an hour
to look into this shop Of yours"
This threat frightened the old man,
for he hastily disappeared through the
door OF his apartment, crying:
what's dc use of gettin madtT
few minutes later n black haired,
slim and rather pretty girl came out
and stared wOndcringly at Mr. Mitch
el. Her skin was like putty, her eyes
sunkcn, her checks hollow, and she
looked tired almost TO the limit Of her
endurance, yet withal she had traces
Of beauty about her. even as the dead
and faded rose gives evidence Of what
it once has ECca.
Rebccca Polaski was really not more
thap II. but the Jewish maidens at.
tain maturity earlier than their Chris.
tian sisters, and the fullncSs Of her
figure excused the doubt i'm Mrs. Grif.
fms mind. though rs Mr.. Mitchell gaZ-
ed into her sad yuung eyes he thought
it highly imprC!aGic that she knew
aught of the founding. save what she
might have learned by chance How.
ever, she had fed the little one with
remnants from her own mcager sup
ply, and whatever she did know might
be we'll worth the inquiry.
"You are Rebecca Pola ski?" he ask
ed gently.
"Ycs, sir" she replied. with little or
no accent.
"You live in the back rooms?"
Eyes, sir"
''Take me into them. I wish to have
fn1l- with ypu Thc., ho bnci.
tated and threw half frightened
glance behind her, he continued:
"Have no fear. You will lose nothing
1 have arranged with your employer so
that you may remain out an hour"
The prospect of so long n rest lighted
her eyes with momentary beam Of
| pleasure, and Mr.. Mitchell was more
than repaid for the money given in her
behalf. She led the way into the back
rooms and, opening the shutters, dis
| closed view of the graveyard. only 4
| few feet beneath. She then dropped
wearily upon an empty soap box and
motioned her visitor to seat upon the
one chair, the cane of which was al
most entirely torn away. The fat was
about the same rs the one which he
had seen on the upper floor, though the
window opening on the outer world let
in light and air, which made the place
SO much the more cheerful.
How strange that what should be
freest and most plcntifully at the COM
mand Of all should become an actual
commodity through the cupidity of
mankind. For one man erccts a tall
| building, darkening the homes Of 9th.
nj hnn l,i. Ntnl y,
| those apartments in his own structure
which are best ventilated and lighted.
What wonder that the communists, SO.
| cialists and other revolutionary sects
| find attentive audiences! Mr.. Mitchell
thought Of this and sighed as he asked:
What rent do you pay for this
| place"
"Thrce dollars a week." was the re.
| ply, and then she added: I'VE could
have the fat next door for two and n
| half, but it Is dreadfully dark, though
we could put up with that, cause we're
mostly ut home only in the night time,
but there's no air except from the
shaft. and the horrid smells made my
mother sick"
So even OH this ground floor there
was an extra charge for Il window!
"What do you earn in the shopT was
Mr.. Mitchels next inquiry.
"When feel strong and we'll, car
make T5 cents a~day in the shop, but
mostly only so, and maybe % cents
more doing extra work.,
Mr.. Mitchell looked savagely toward
the sweatshop, the proprietor Of whicl
had charged him 50 for releasing the
girl from her task when he himself
paid her such a pittance for the days
work.
"How many hours day do yor
work. Z" lie asked.