The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-24
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| HISS US
Two minutes after the visitor had been
In the room she could have told you ev-
erything it contained, from the renais-
sance curtains to the piece Of Battenberg
on the center table. Nothing escaped her
and she was mentally fixing the cost of
different articles in the room when she
heard a rustic of skirts
You'll have to excuse me for having
kept you waiting so long said the lady
of the house, entering the parlor from
the sitting room. There We're fresh traces
of powder on her face-for it isn't every
day census enumerator calls. AS She
came into the room she was arranging g
ribbon that encircled her neck.
II was admiring that piece of fancy
work over there as you came in" said
the census taker, and If you have nc
objections I'd like to examine it more
closely"
"Oh, not at ALL said the lady of the
house, flushing with pardonable pride, for
the piece of needlework referred to was
her first effort in that direction.
The census taker laid her book and pen
eli and umbrella on the floor, and crossed
the room to the mantel, on top of which
was an embroidered photo holder that
| had caught her feminine fancy
do you know" she said with charming
| familiarity, that I'd give anything in the
world If 1 could do work like that? Your
| first attempt? You don't mean to tell
me" stepping closer and examining 1t
| more critically. well, I'll be switched il
l can believe it. I've been in ever so many
houses since 1 began to rubber neck or
4 foly fIa -. /ok 4.
| they both laughed, but don't think I've
| seen anything in the embroidery line that
| comes up to that Truly, is it your first
attempt?
II think the shading is simply lovely
I've done some myself but never did
any of the raised work That s a beau
tiful piece of Battenberg on the center
table walking in that direction. May
I ask how many different stitches you
have?
Before you came In I was talking to
myself. Well, now I wonder what for
looking person lives here?' Do you
know, L have so much fun taking the
census and getting rubbers' that
wish the position would last all sum-
mer. Whenever I come into a house
like / did here and am shown into the
parlor to wait for a lady, I always try
to guess what kind of a looking woman
she is"
May I ask you what sort of a per
son you imagined l was?" asked the
lady of the house, whose curiosity was
aroused at this form of amusement.
Now, that makes me laugh" the
census taker went on to say resuming
her seat and picking her things off the
floor. Il have to laugh because l was
so far out of the way. You're about
my height, aren't you-five feet seven2
Well, l had it all figured out in my
mind how you were a little woman of
five feet two or three, and that you
wore your hair pompadour Wouldn't
that kill your" At which both again
laughed heartily.
But sometimes I hit it pretty close.
Yesterday L was over on DreXel ave-
nue., near Sixty-sixth street, and I made
a guess so accurate that when the
woman came into the parlor it seemed
as If had known her for years We
got real well acquainted before L left
At that moment a woman passed on
the opposite side Of the street. The
| census taker saw her, and was moved
to make this observance:
Gee whilikins, there's style for you,
That's a swell hat she's wearing, but it
don't look well on her. ] saw the same
| thing the other day on State street and
| they wanted SIS for it. Her skirt hangs
| hikes up in the back. How do you like
| those new sailors they're wearing this
| summer? I like them on some women,
| and others they look horrid The
! crowns are awful high, and the br!ms
| are so broad! They look well enough
| on a tall person-you or I would look
| stylish in one-but it seems as if every
| little dumpy woman you meet is wear
ing one
IF had the money ia know how to
dress swell. Lots of women no matter
! what you put on them. never look dress
! ed up. No style or get-up to them at
all. Before came to Chicago l lived
/ in Ohio, where papa kept store, and 1
always got everything l wanted But
reverses came, and we girls-there's three
of us at home and one married-had to
get out in the world and make a living.
! We've been in Chicago four years, and
/ l must say we've got along just spIen-
Gid, coming here as we did entire strang-
ers. I've had dozens of chances to
marry, but 1 never saw where I was go
| ing to better myself, so I've stayed sin
gle. 1 don't consider myself an old
maid, even If 1 am p past. Do you
think I look any older than that? Most
| everybody takes me for about %.
"A few days ago I met an old chum
| school, and it was enough to make a
person never want to marry to listen to
| her story. Why, that husband of hers
| don't give her enough to eat. She has a
sweet little boy a year and a half old,
| and, would you believe it, that baby j
picture has never been taken? Think OF
it, I'd rather remain an old maid all
my days than to be married to man
like that just wouldn't live with him,
| that's all.
DO you know a person gets dreadfulIy
tired and hungry going around taking the
| census, but I must say I have made the
| acquaintance of some very nice people
whom 1 would not have otherwise met.
| In some parts of the city, especially away
out here near the cemetery, it is impos-
| sible TO find a decent restaurant, but
| I've been fortunate in being invited to
| luncheon every day"
Can't I get you a cup Of tea, now?"
said the lady of the house, who though
| her visitor was limiting at something of
| the kind.
Now, didn't mention that as a hint
the census taker replied, but as you
have offered to get something for nc I
| can't refuse your hospitality. Don t
make any fuss-just cup of tea IS all
The lady Of the house excused herself
and went to the kitchen. She returned in
few minutes with a tray, on which was
| the tea4 some cakes, and a dish Of
Strawberries.
Dear, me- exclaimed the census emu
merator, appearing surprised; here you
have gone and fused when I told you not
to do it. I'll put it right here in nay lap
! taking the tray, under which she ar