The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-01-03
GOOD FOR EVIL.


Mr.. Jarvis had been mere simper-
ing, good humored nonentity in his
day, giving up all his affairs to his
wife's management and when he shuf-
fled off this mortal coil was not great
ly missed. And Mrs. Jarvis consoled
herself by opening a suit manu-
factory.
Here she sat upon this glorious Au-
gust afternoon in her own little pri-
vete Office, a pen hehind her ear and
a pencil between her lips, adding up
a long column of figures-a tall,
portly, fnelooking dame, in rich black
silk, with costly jewels sparkling upon
her fingers and that comfortable look
upon the face which accommodating
wealth is sure to bestow.
sixteen and six are twenty-two,'
said Mrs. Jarvis, resting her pencil
at the foot of the line. "Two-and
two to carry-eh? Who is there"
An apologize little knock had come
to the Office door7-it was Mr.. Mad
stone, Mrs. Jarvis cashier and fore
man in general.
Its me, ma'am, said Mr.. Maidstone,
whose close-shorn hair stuck up all
over his head, like the bristles OF
blacking brush. THAT Mrs. Pennant
is here with her bundles"
Mrs Jarvis glanced first at her
ledger and then at the calendar that
hung on the wall over the desk.
six hours behind time" said she,
austerely. 1.-The order went out at
9 o'clock this morning, minus the II
suits she was finishing. Tell her to
leave her work and come here for no
more. OF course, shall not pay her,
and she may think herself fortunate
that she is not compelled to pay the
usual fine"
81 wish you'd see her yourself"
blurted out Maidstone, scratching his
bristly head. She looks pale and
sick, and"
"Pshaw." interrupted Mrs. Jarvis,
rising from her seat. with a rustling
of black silk skirts. You haven't the
resolution OF a chipmunk. Maidstone,
and never had! You'd let all these
girls and women run over you, if IT.
wasn't for me-"
And she swept through the narrow
door of the Office out into the long
bare workroom, where the click OF 20
sewing machines buzzed on the sultry
air and several haggard women waited
at the counter.
"oh," said she, stopping short be-
fore the nearest one, Mrs. Pennant.
YOU are six hours behind. The order
has gone
Il am very sorry, ma'am," hesitated
the pale woman, "but my daughter
was ill-my little Jessie-and had
no one to care for her but myself. !
sat up all night to finish the suits
did. indeed-and.-"
'All these details make no differ
ence to me-" interrupted Mrs. Jarvis,
with sharp, crispy voice. Business
is business, and the very soul of it is
punctuality. You may leave your
suits, but don't expect any more work
from here
The poor woman's wan face worked.
"Mrs. Jarvis" faltered she, you. are
n woman, and mother, like myself.
If your child was Ill"
I'VE won't descend to comparisons,
If you please" said Mrs. Jarvis, icily.
"Good-day. l am much occupied at
present"
you surely don't mean, Mrs. Jarvis,
that you are not going TO pay me for
what | have dona?" cried the woman.
why should 10" said Mrs Jarvis.
your work has arrived too late to go
in it's regular order. You have vio-
lated the rules and regulations of this
establishment, and as necessary
consequence, have forfeited your
pay. Hopkins" to the clerk, take
these suits into the packing-room.
Mrs. Pennant's lip quivered, her
eyes, which had been full of entreaty,
now flashed Indignantly.
"Mrs. Jarvis" said she, Il know
very we'll that I am at your mercy.
but, all the same5 this sort of thing
looks to ne like swindling."
81 cannot help it--rulcs are rules"
said the business woman, cold as
adamant.
My child lies i'll at home. | had
counted on this hard-earned money to
buy the medicine and necessaries that
she must have. Mrs. Jarvis, for
heavens sake, do not withhold it
from mel"