The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

I dinlng-room. was told that other girls
| of that household had been satisfied with
| the kitchen:
| I went demurely from the room. hearing
as went the remark of Miss Eighteen
Year-Old: II like that told you I'd bet
| she was airy You take these refined girls,
| mother, who have learned in cooking schools
| q had admitted where 1 acquired knowledge
Of many Of the dishes served) and they're
| all that way"
My Beloved came at $50. had coaxed
him to call. just TO make the whole expe-
i. to the back door-explained to him that It
was as much as my place" was worth to
| admit him by the front portal.
RECEIVED HER FRIENDS
| IN THE KITCHEN
l had to smother laugh as I let him in
| at the kitchen door. He strobe into the
! room for all the world like Mr. Sheehan in
one or his operate roles. and vowed 1t
was "monstrous'' In such loud tones that /
laid my hand on his arm, entreating him to
De more quiet lest the house be alarmed
| and 1 sent to the Workhouse. like Lord
harrington, for getting into family upon
false pretenses.
Then he looked at my hands and shouted
''monstrous' again.
Oh, no. / said: mot quite so bad as
mat I'll admit they have enlarged a little
'N' SNe ehSy aie iot yet I1uUStEOuS. really
40 not mind. just so long as you do not
lose caste by coming around to the back
door to call on the Browns's cook" and
| then laughed.
My Beloved settled moodily in a chair in
the corner. by the stove
tried to explain that It was for "a
cause"
Knowing that my STEADY was in the
Kitchen, 1 had series of callers from
madame down to the cherub The cheruh
ran in and hugged me. We were on intimate
terms now
The older members of the family inspect
ed the moody man In the corner. with coat
collar turned up. and himself slipped down
until his vertebra did not rest against the
chair back, and, am sure, placed him in
the category of dangerous thieves admitted
by hired girls" to carry off family silver
The next day being Thursday I was to
nave an afternoon of" provided / got
through in time. The girl next door and /
were to take 1t together.
1 made her acquaintance while sweeping
rugs in the back yard Monday afternoon
She knew that I was the new girl' and
was sympathetic
But 1 fingered over my work Thursday.
I had other plans
The girl from next door came for me at
z o'clock. but was not ready. She seemed
willing to wait. but advised her not to- as
1t would shorten her afternoon.
After awhile she arose to go, spreading
out her hands that were crowded into new
Kid gloves. while I wondered II they were
as uncomfortably rough as mine.
WELL" she said, consolingly none of
the girls around here ever seem to get O.
chance to git off. There's three girls in our
house. you know. and that gives US more
time. cause We can take turn about help
Ing each other. 1 won't have to come back
this evening""
1t was 5 o'clock when I completed my
street toilet, and stepped out from the back
door. carrying my purse and my little book
of German poetry. wrapped up in piece
OF paper.
DECIED NOT TO
STAY A WEEK.
I had, up to that morning. resolved to
stay the week out. giving honorable notice.
but the approaching Friday upstairs and
Saturday downstairs. sweeping and clean
ing. frightened me off.
/ feared my muscles would not stand It.
Already l ached-ached so that walking
was a misery-so much so that my gait was
changed to the sort of "trot'' that has
come to be called the ''hired girls walk"
1 know now the reason for its existence.
Standing and scrubbing play havoc with
the long, easy stride.
The calico dress and aprons are still in
the little top room Of the Queen Anne house.
My sudden disappearance has l doubt
not, caused alarm, and fancy the locks on
the doors have been changed, and extra