The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-13
CHAPTER III.
REBECCA pOLASKI'S STORY.

EEBECCA rOLASKIS STORY.
Mr.. Mitchell groped his way gingerly
down into the increasing gloom Of the
stairway. At the third landing he
passed some one whose sex he vaguely
guessed by the fumes Of whisky which
aSsailcd his nostrils. At length he
reached the bottom and stood in the
lower hallway looking toward the light
at the street door, which made the mar
row passage striliingly resemble a tun-
ncl At the first door to the left he
stopped ana knocked, receiving, as
upon his first effort, no response.
Therefore he passed OH and raped
upon the door nearest the street, and
once more the bearded head of the pro-
prictor protruded just far enough to
inquire what was wanted, while the
whrring of the sewing machines be-
hind him made his SQueaky voice
scarcely audible.
81 wish TO speak with Rcbccca Po-
laski," said Mr.. Mitchell.
"Shc's busy" was the curt reply,
and the man tried to close the door,
but was forcstallcd by Mr.. Mitchell,
who thrust his foot between, remark
ing firmly:
But tell you must see her."
"Oh, we'll, dot makes diff'rencew
He came out into the hall and closed
the door behind him. "Vhy is dot you
must see Repccca? What do you want
vid herr"
IL wish to speak to her about mat
ter of Importance. l will not detain her
more than ten minutes"
Ten minutes, Holy Abraham! How
do YOU suppose she can fool away so
much time? Shes got her livin to
make. my fricndt. She couldn't afford
to stop work. for ten minutes. We are
not millionarcs down here"
GLOW much could she earn in ten
minutcS?" asked Mr. Mitchell
This disconnected the old Jew, and he
| hcSitatcd before replying. but present.
| ly, with cunning lccr and rubbing
his hands together after the manner Of
his tribe, he drawlcd out:
AS to dOtLny fricndt, dots her piZ-
ness. unl%fs not my pizness to gif
away eder peoples pizncss. But she
could make enough to puy 4 loaf Of
prcad, my tear, und n loaf of prcad is a
! SOCt NtHl III tcSc itiIt tlllltS.
"a loaf Of bread. ch? Let me see"
said Mfr. Mitchell. making n quick cal
! culation. "i loaf OF bread is ) cents,
/ and > cents for ten minutes is 80 cents
! an hour, or about SO n day. Is that
| what she carns?"
What n man you are at figgers"
said the Jew slyly. You ought to be
pawnbrokcr. But you're wrong. my
| tear. didn't say Il fife cent loaf. She
might puy Il drcc cent loaf, amt IT."
VERY well. Then she does not earn
more than 80 cents IN hour. Tell her
to como out and talk to ne, and | will
| pay her 30 cents for her lost hour"
Mr.. Mitchell thought that 4 rest Of
even IN hour might be joyfully accept
able to the poor swcatShop slave and
would be chcaply purchased. But the
greedy ears Of the Jew were doubly at
tcntivc now that money was offered.
With dcprCcatinS gesture of his most
expressive hands. lie whined:
impossible. my tear. An hour, n
whole hour. for 80 cents! You under.
value de worth Of de girls time Fifty
cents for n whole hour! Impossible.
| impOsslblc"'
"But you have just admitted that her
| time is not worth as much as 80 cents
an hour"
"Iou'rc no piZness man, my friendt.
You're too rich to understand de leetle
details of trade. Dhirty cents an hour
might be de wholesale price Of Re.
pecca's time. but for one hour-dots
retail. don't you seer
mo. don't sec. Explain yourself"
"Vid pleasure. hires de girl by dc
month. so ! get her time cheaper dan
you can get 1t If you only want one
hour. It's very simple"
He smiled blandly. as though max.
ing the most ordinary statement, but