Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-26
a SOUL FAIR AM N
BY Elizabeth Cherry waltz.

Mrs. Colbert sat on a stool behind a
tall desk, making out such business &C
counts as the keeping Of a lodging
house demanded. The fire in the small
Office was banked against any waste OF
coal. A worn shoulder shawl was
pinned under her thin chin. AS she
I shivered and drew this about her, a
young entered and closed the
door.
Mrs. Colbert looked up. Never had
there come to that door such a fresh
and glowing creature, never n SO
well-dressed, although her clothes were
not OF a city cut. The two women
looked at each other a moment. The
younger actually smiled at the lodging
house keeper. This is a place to get
rooms, isn't it?" she said in a pleasant
voice.
Mrs. Colbert came around from her
desk. There were two wooden chairs
behind the railing. She opened the
gate, set out a chair and turned the
stove damper. This was unusual
courtesy for Mother Colbert. Yes, l
let rooms she said slowly, but you
could do better"
KY name IL LUIS il UCS, Sdlu liC
girl My folks are dead and | came
tc the city to hunt work.
"Yes?", said Mrs. Colbert. question
ing with her beady black eyes.
My father was a country minister
she continued, me died last year and
my mother has been dead a long time,
I feel as if l must find work"
She spread her hands toward the
warmth with another bright look.
Folks is poor in different ways
began the old woman, don't you real
Iy think you could do better?"
Il saw your sign and l came in be-
cause you were a woman Have you
a furnished roOm?"
The elder woman shrugged her
shoulders as if to say, If you will,
went upstairs.
There are many empty rooms. too
many. Some of my best dodgers have
been out of work so long. Here is a
room on the side street with two win
dows, but you can't reach it unless YOU
go through the rooms of those Italian
girls
Are they working girls?" asked
Doris sOberly, because if they are.
that would not be so bad. I should
not be so lonesome and l like com
pany."
They sing on the streets and in com
cert halls sometimes" replied Mrs. Col
bert, with compressed lips: they used
to go with their father. who is dead.
Blanca plays the harp; Francesca Is
, E-Nr1D pn1- To-day zha uro0+ 70 tbo ~
League. They want to paint from her.
l SUPPOSED"
She threw open the door OF a room,
dirty and meagrely furnished. Beyond
was another, no larger, no better. Doris
looked at the rusty. ~freless stoves with
a shudder.
There was a woman who couldn't
pay the rent lived with them. They
used to warm one stove for all
When the trunk came to the place a
few hours later Mrs. Colbert went up
with it. She had been hearing curious
sounds. The new lodger had on a
country girls working dress, a roaring
fire in the cracked stove and had &C.
tually washed the windows and floor.
There was such a subtle change in the
room already that Mrs. Colbert stared.
can you go on so with Goals" she
said, basking in the welcome warmth.
Goals are so dear. you see
I'm going to make coal somehow"
responded Doris, cheerfully. See if
don't. l know a make my own way
in the city. Do you suppose l cant find
a way in this great hiYe?"
There's too many people" gasped
Mrs. Colbert. Doris was ~unpacking her
trunk. The m sat down. unable
to resist this excitement. Its a death
struggle from day 10 day. in the winter
especially"
docs il have to be-"
Il keep asking. / watch the people
coming, going. You're the first crea-
ture of hope that's come in here for
many a long day"
Who was the last?"
These girls father. He never gave
up. He was a musician but got lost
in drink. There was something in
him that never died. The girls do not
understand no nor do l."
When the R%aiboldini girls, shawls
over their heads, stumbled in at dusk
Mrs. Colbert said to them:
There's a new ledger in your back
room. | won't have Petra or Rebo
Nanni or any other men up there.
laughing and drinking. II you do not
| Ike it, Blanca. there are other places.