North Park union., 1901-05-10
True Kindne$$....
..Receite$ Reward
By a North Park Author

looking girl OF seventeen.
"Who on 'arth is that coming?"
They both stood looking out the
window, shading their eyes.
"Why, ma, it's Captain Lanes
daughter. You remember Liza said
she had come back to visit an aunt
whose property she expects to fall
heir to-
As the object Of conversation came
nearer to the house, they beheld
lady of good enough appearance, yet
q close observer would not have failed
to notice the selfish air about her.
Her clothing was of seemingly good
material, but was utterly void OF tas tc
and simplicity. The icwclr, added,
gave one the impression that she
wanted to appear "loud" A naughty
good morning was exchanged for the
more friendly one.
al am Captain Lanes daughter.
My husband, Mr. Goodbar, is very
wealthy cotton manufacturer of New
York City, and as she swiftly talked
of her family pedigree Lucinda
aud her mother listened. Lucinda
looked on in open mouthed admira-
tion, for very few people passed their
lonely road, and she had seen very
little of the outer world, but not so
her mother, for she remembered Nor
ma Lane as child, they having lived
in the same neighborhood, when
Lanes were almost beggars, and the
family was at the mercy OF the people.
Norma's violent temper had con
trolled her so long that she became
an object Of hatred to those about
her. When she met her future hus-
band all were quite surprised that
she did SO well. AS she TUNED to
Lucinda she said:
~ have come to see il you would
not like to work in our factory. |
know it looks quite low-bred in me to
be looking for help, but girls are 30
scarce now, and know you will be
trustworthy"
Lucinda begged her mother to 60,
and finally she consented to let her
try it through the winter months.
They were ready to start In few
days, and were soon speeding Oh their
way. Mrs. Goodbar took first-rate
ticket, while she had Lucinda take
third-rate one and put her in tho con-
ductor's care, as it would be such
disgrace for wealthy Mrs. Goodbar to
be seen talking 70 "servant." Lu-
cinda had spent her money for Il
ticket, and Mrs. Goodbar promised to
pay any extra expense; but when
they reached New York she became
very independent and informed the
coachman of Lucinda's arrival, and
had him take her to the home of
working girls. 1t was in poor
neighborhood and was kept by charity
and *1.00 per week from each girl.
Lucinda was ushered into a dingy
looking hallway by an old cross-look-
ing woman who showed her an apart
ment which contained several girls.
The room was long, narrow place,
which contained several beds mr.
ranged hospital fashion. She was
told to take led No. 5. She sat down
on the chair beside it and looked
about her She beheld whitewashed
walls, bare windows, two long rows of
beds and an old chair beside each,
and last d bare, hardwood floor. Not
an ornament was in sight, and before
very long she knew any attempt to
put one up would only be to have it
destroyed by the cross matron. She
soon became acquainted with the
girls about her, and found that they
were poor working girls, many of
them never having known home,
while others had once been well cared
for till reverses came, and they had
worried, fretted, and even rebelled
against their poor lot; but soon be-
gan to face their position with an
energy Of despair. They wore sour,
haggard look, and some plunged in
tor better or worse and finally their
lives were frightened by an unlocked
for occurrence.
Lucinda told them where her home
was and why she had come to the
city, and when she said she would
work for Goodbar they all laughed
and sneered. Nearly all Of them
had tried working there, but they
treated them 80 badly and payed
such small wages that they quit, and
now it was difficult for them to get
girls at all (hence Mrs. Goodbars
visit to Lucinda, as well as many
others). Lucinda felt homesick, and
when they were called to supper of
mush and milk she ate but little.
They retired early, and next morning
Lucinda arose and prepared herself
TO 90 to work. Some Of the girls
showed her the way and she entered
the office OF the factory with heavy
heart. She closed the door behind
her and shortly a pert looking young
man with a strong foreign accent
stepped up TO has
aAwer-good mawnlng Looking
for wofk2"
~ :u ..;d Tuo:rd. ttM~s