Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-09
76'S VALENTINE.
rFrom Chicago er-0sean.1

IFrom Chicago Inter-Osean.1
seventy-six was "savin' up" All her
little set knew 1t because she quit
"sticNin' in" for coffee at noon. she
walked to and from work-that Is,
in theory she walked, for she often ran
for blocks at time to ward being late
either at the store or at home, for no
one was supposed to know she did not
ride. She took the 10 cents her moth
er offered her every morning, either to
ride both ways" or ride one way and
get coffee, whichever seemed best.
Seventy-six was queer combination
of child and little old woman, like most
OF the cash girls in department stores.
she saw and heard great deal every
day of her busy life.
And Seventy-six had an ideal, In the
person Of little Miss Magee, the cash
Ter to whom she took her checks. Miss
Magee was a slight, short, sweet, little
body, with great quantity OF pale
reddish hair that was the delight OF
all the cash girls hearts, it stayed
in" so good all day. But Seventy-six
in particular longed for red hair ana
little hands and every charm possessed
by Miss Magee. So when st. Valen-
tines day came and Miss Magee got
nice bunch of violets delivered by
messenger boy, Seventy-six made
mental resolution that she would nave
bunch of violets come to herself
81,
st. Valentines day, and everyone
| would think she had "a fellow" AID
that "he sent 'em like Miss Magee's
fellow did," And after the severe
strain of the holidays was lifted lit
tie in regard to her earnings, she Sc
cretly commenced to save up.
Poor little Seventy-siX! To save up
meant to her to walk miles twice day,
though sometimes she got a little
"hitch" on a friendly express wagon
but she'd be nearly home when shed
hitch" No one would see her away
out on West Twelfth street. When
she couldn't run or get little ride
and came home late she glibly invent
ed excuses all very plausible. Chang
ing stock around" was one; getting
in new goods" that had to be opened
and fixed at once, was another, and hel
mother and little sisters noted hel
great Importance at the store.
One Sunday afternoon she canvasset
the florists stores and the combination
florist and undertaking establishments
where prickly looking pillows made o
hard, dry flowers, with Rest" done II
purple in the center, and white SAITH
slippers were displayed in the win
dows. Up on one side of the stree
and down the other she sought violets
ito inquire as to prices, but she neve
found even one. Next day at noon sh
Igot permission to go out and she hat
mot far to seek a florist, and the Wis
young man there told her violets wer
"from rs cents up" and that the!
were scarce and would be scarcer ant
she would have to ORDER them few
days ahead If she wanted any. Thel
she hurried back to the store, ant
when she was reporting to the time
keeper, Mr.. Goldstein, head of depart
ment, laid his hand on her shoulde
and asked her number.
81 think, Seventy-six you are gettini
tall for cash." he said, and still hold
ing her by the shoulder he half pushed
half led her to the rear of the store
" and word went round that Seventy
six was fired"
When they reached the wrappers an
inspectors desk he found her plac
8 there and told her if she was as goo
a wrapper and inspector as she ha
e been cash" she'd be all right. Sh
started in at her new job at once an
when the cash girls that she had bee
one of few hours before came up wit
goods she gave herself lofty airs, as
4 the way of the world.
On the Monday following her promo
ton she ordered the 95-cent bunch
yiolets in the florists window, left he
Z name, number and the name of tn
firm she worked for. She knew tn
flowers would 60 to the office first an