The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-18

almost TO the Limit OF her endurance. yet
withal she had traces OF beauty about
her. even az the dead and faded rose gives
evidence OF what II once has been.
Rebecca PolasN was really not more
than H. but the Jewish maidens attain
maturity earlier than their Christian SIS
ters. and the fullness OF her figure rx-
cused the doubt in Mrs. Griffin's mind.
though as Mr.. Mitchell gazeh into her
sad young eyes he thought IL highly i'm
probable that she knew aught OF the
foundlinG save what she might have
learned by chance. However. she had fed
the little one with remnants from her
own rmesger supply. and whatever she aid
knoa might be well worth the inquiry
You are Rebecca Polaski?" he asked
gently.
"Yes. sir" she replied with little or no
accent.
you I've in the back rooms?"
Yes sir"
Take me into them. | wish to have
a talk with you" Then. as she hest
tated and threw half frightened glance
behind her, he continued "Have no fear.
You will lose nothing ! have arranged
your employer so that you may remain
out an hour"
The prospects OF so long a rest lighted
her eyes with a momentary beam OF
pleasure, and Mr.. Mitchell was more
than repaid for the money given I'm her
behalf She led the way into the back
rooms and opening the shutters, dis
closed a view OF the graveyard only
few feet beneath. She then dropped
YEARLY upon an empty soap box and
motioned her visitor TO seat upon the
one chair the cane Of which was almost
entirely torn away. The fat was about
the same as the one which he had seen
on tht upper floor, though the window
opening on the outer world let In light
and air. which made the place so much
the more cheerful.
How strange that what should be freest
and most plenufully at the command OF
all should become an actual commodity
through the cupidity Of mankind! For
one man erects tall building, darken-
ing the homes Of others. and then sets a
higher +al-aH-tAasa- apartments In his
own structure which are best ventilated
and lighted. What wonder that the com
munists. socialists and other revolution
airy sects find attentive audiences, Mr..
Mitchell thought OF this and sighted as
he asked
What rent do you pay for this placer"
Three dollars a week. was the reply.
and then she added: I'VE could have the
fat next door for two and n half but II
is deadfullly dark. though we could put
up with that. cause we're mostly at
home only I'm the night time. but there's
no air except from the shaft. and tine
So even on this ground floor there was
an extra charge for a window,
What do you earn in the shop?" was
Mr. Mtchers next inquiry.
when I fell strong and we'll I can
make rs cents day IN the shop. but
mostly only So and may be Is cents more
doing extra work.
Mr.. Mitchell looked savasely toward the
sweatshop. the proprietor OF which had
charged him 80 for releasing the girl from
her task when he himself paid her suc.i a
pttance for the days work.
How many hours a day do you work.
he asked.
About ten. though sometimes longer
II I'm tired and don't finish mp
What do YOU mean by extra work."
Sometimes he let's us take work home
20 do nights. and he pays us half price
for that"
What. You work ten hours for a
days task. and then he pays you half
rates for overtime! Why should you get
less for night work than for work in the
day
well, you see. he says working in the
night. when our eyes are tired. we cam /
I, do as good work. We only get tne
| cheapest sori to take home"
Mt Mitchell could find no words with
| which to express his feelings. The utter
| selfishncss of such sophistry, the greed
| poor employees, utterly amazed him. And
! the oldest thing was that the girl made
| no complaint, accepting her lot as mat
| ter OF course, fact beyond dispute Yet
| observe her postion-she worked ten
hours per day for her slave driving mas
ter, earning enough per week to pay the
| greedy landlord for her shelter. the
| mother and sisters by similar drudgery,
| finding the food and clothing for tie
| family.
What is the name of your employ
err he asked presently.
| Herman Polaskl." ."
"Polaski? But that is your name Is
he q relative?"
Yes. sir. my uncle"
Her uncle, Comment seemed superfu-
| Gus. Mr.. Mitchell paused to think and
the girl rambled on.
| Uncle Hermnn's been very kind To us
| ] don't know what we would have done
without his help-starved I gu,As You
see father was sick a long, long time
and all the money We had went 10 the
doctor and for funeral expenses Their
We had nothing so uncle gave us all
work In his shop, though he said ne
didn't need any more hands and II wa.
Just taking money out Of his own poeKet
TO hire US We don't earn much hut any.
way we've lived on our wages for over
year now
|
trast with tho greed OF her father,
brother. who had not hesitated Ia benc
at by the distress OF his relatives Mr.
/ Mitchell felt n great sympathy for th,,
poor family Of women and would gladly
have opened his pocke tbook I'm their be
half, but he realized the magnitude o
! this problem OF aid to the poor. lie ha,
gone into but two homes In one he ha,
PROMISED assistance. and In the other h,
found the same need inviting the sam,
remedy.
But were he 90 go on and visit tenemen
| after tenement. home after home how
soon would his resources be az an en-,
and how little would he have accomplish
ed toward lessening the suffering on tn
great east side! Ee felt the helplessnes
OF the situation more than he had eve
done when theorizing about A. and 60
the moment he decided that he Nigh
better conhne himself 20 his special oh
ject.
n have heard that YOU saw the bah,
whi0h was, taken from the graveyar,
next door" he began.
YES. sir. she replied and then stare,
a, him. evidently alarmed az his aues
! ton
, Tell mo abouf A no asked Darsu,