The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-14
Mag c of Her Hand,


tan desk, making out such business ac-
counts as IN eakeping Of g lodging house
demanded The fire in the small office
was banked against any waste OF coai.
A worn shoulder shawl was pinned under
her thin chin. As she shivered and drew
this about her. young woman entered
and closed the door.
Mrs Colbert looked I'D. Never mad
there come in that door such fresh
and glowing creature. never one so well
dressed, although her clothes were not
Of a city cut.
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, 1 let, rooms" she
said slowly. 'but you could do better"
My mama is Doris Forbes" said the
girl My folks are dead and came
TO the city to hunt work"
.Yes." said Mrs. Colbert, questioning
WITH her beady black eyes.
My father was a country minister
she continued. g he died last year and
my mother has been dead a long time
I feel as if I must find work.
Folks is poor in different ways" be-
gan the old woman. Don't you really
think you could do better?''
Il saw your sign and came in be-
cause you were a woman Have you
furnished ROOM"
There are many empty rooms, too
many. Some of my best dodgers have
been out Of work so lon- 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. should not be so lone
some and 1 like COMPANY"
They sing on the streets and IN con-
cert halls sometimes" replied Mrs. Col
bert with compressed lips. They used
to 90 with their father. who is dead.
Blanca plays the harp, Francesca IS
league. They want 10 paint from her.
I su99ose."
She threw open the door OF a room,
dirty and meagerly furnished. Beyond
was another, no larger, 40 better Doris
looked at the rusty, fireless 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 1t. She had been hearing curious
sounds. The new lodger had on a coun-
ty girls working dress. a roaring fire
in the cracked stove and had actually
washed the windows and floor. There
was such subtle change in the room
already that Mrs. Colbert stared
Can you go on so with coals?" 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 I
don't. I know I can make my own way
in the city. Do you suppose 1 can't find
a way in fflis great hive?"
There's too many people" gasped
Mrs. Colbert. Doris was unpacking her
resist this excitement 'It's death
struggle from day to day, in the winter
especially
Does IL have to be?"
ct keep asking, 1 watch the people
coming, going. You're the first creature
of hope that's come in here for many
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 under
stand. no more do II
w ucil TIE IdiDOiuIiH SiI4S, SHdWlS over
their heads, stumbled in at dusk, Mrs.
Colbert said to them:
There's a new lodger In your back
room. 1 won't have Pietro or Re5o
Nanni or any other men up there, laugh
ing and drinking. II you do not like it,
Biapca, there are other places. She is
from the country and must be re-
soected.'
Doris heard two pairs of timid foot
steps in the outer room. She opened the
door,
1T is much too cold here. Ny stove
is hot. Come, warm yourselves"
Madonna mia!7 cried Blanca as she
stepped in. What heat, what comfort"
For a few cheap purchases and he
magic of a woman's hand had made a
home of the bare room. On the old stove
a tin Kettle sputtered, a clean glass
lamp gave a bright light on the table
already covered with oilcloth. There
were blankets and a patch work Guilt
over the poor bed. a cushion in the
creaking rocker.
The next day Doris set out to search
for work. When she came home al night
she smiled at Mrs. Colbert and told
her that she was employed as cashier at
a bakery.
1T is not a very large bakery or a
very large business" she said. cheerily,
but it will be a living. the rent and
Goals and meals. I must make a start"
The women held up their hands. Such
luckl She would shortly leave them.
Three meals? Surfeit! To count much
money? What trust Doris laughed
oyer their awe. She had them in to her
fire again. Mrs. Colbert came also. Once
she had been fond Of the Raiboldni girls.
Now she would have Blanca play. B'anca
4
lighted with enthusiasm. She would play
as her father taught her once more. So
the street music was forgotten and again
she struck the wonderful and tender
strains that sent Francesca sobbing to
the cTUcifU.
In a week the italian girls were
changed and happier.
The baker was a young man. One day
he gave her a slight raise In salary ana
asked her to change 70 better quarters.
L can do more good there than any
where else just now" she said directly,
and / would rather not change as YOU
desire. was to marry Ny loves fam
lily objected. as I was poor. I cannot
forget. and I am only happy now in liv-
ing for others"
He had the uanlsness 20 continue her
in his employ and to harass her no more
Another time Mrs. Colbert sat on her
high stool in her little office. Il was
evening, The place was cleaner. There
was a fire and 4 brighter lamp. The door
opened TO admit a tel and stalxart
young man Re glanced around. Eiz
eve fell upon 4 text upon thu wall over
the desk. l. read: God IS love- Than
he stood in front q Mrs Colbert.
Madam" ne said. a little t-cmGi0us,y
Il have rsaso- 70 believe 8 young girl
Doris Forbes. lives in this houss."
Mrs Colbtr looked al him win a close
scrutiny.