Gilpin observer., 1900-02-08
76'S VALENTINE.
lrrom Chicago 1nter-oeean.1 ]

IFrom chicago Inter-Ocean.1
Eeventy-six was "savin' up" All hel
little set knew 1t because she Quil
''stickin' in" for coffee at noon, she
walked to and from work-that is
4 IN theory she walked, for she often ran
sator blocks at time to ward being late
either at the store or at home. for nc
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 cohee, whichever seemed best.
Seventy-six was a queer combination
OF child and little old woman, like most
OF the cash girls in department stores.
She saw and heard a 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 slight, short, sweet, little
body. with great quantity of pale
reddish hair that was the delight OF
all the cash girls hearts. it stayed
an so good all day. But Seventy-six
in particular longed for red hair and
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 a
messenger boy, Seventy-six made a
mental resolution that she would have
bunch of violets come to herself
like that one If she lived to the next
st. Valentines day, and everyone
would think she had "a fellow" and
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 little
hitch" on friendly express wagon,
but she'd be nearly home when she'd
"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 her
great importance at the store.
One Sunday afternoon she canvassed
the florists stores and the combination
florist and undertaking establishments.
where prickly looking pillows made OF
hard, dry flowers, with Rest" done in
purple in the center, and white satin
slippers were displayed in the win
dows. Up on one side of the street
and down the other she sought violets,
to inquire as to prices but she never
found even one. Next day at noon she
got permission to go out and she had
mot far to seek florist, and the wise
young man there told her violets were
from rs cents up" and that they
were scarce and would be scarcer and
she would have to order them a few
days ahead IL she wanted any. Then
she hurried back to the store, and
when she was reporting to the time
Keeper, Mr.. Goldstein. head of depart
lment, laid his hand on her shoulder
and asked her number.
Il think, Seventy-six you are getting
tall for cash." he said. and still hold
1ng 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 and
inspectors desk he found her a place
there and told her II she was as good
wrapper and inspector as she had
been cash" she'd be all right She
started in at her new job at once and
when the cash girls that she had been
one of few hours before came up with
goods she gave herself lofty airs. as is
the way of the world.
On the Monday following her promo
tion she ordered the 95-cent bunch OF
violets in the florists window. left her
name. number and the name Of the
firm she worked for. She knew the
flowers would go to the office first and