Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-25
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
.sHer Sea1skin'-By Frank H. Sweet.
copyrighted 1907, by E. C. Parcells)

| Il N4xSA oSoAoAAh -
| h copyrighted, 1907,
No one ever accused Mrs. Stone of
4 being unduly sympathetic. Ten years
experience with brutal husband and
| ten subsequent years of buffeting with
the world had deprived her of that
sentimental quality, If indeed she had
ever possessed 1t. She was admirably
| fitted to be what she was-head OF the
Associated Charities of a large city.
| ImpoStors who came fawning down
| the corridor dreaded this sharp eyed,
thin Tipped woman. What an expert
cross examiner the years of insight
and unbelief had made her! How diff
ficult it was to have the telltale bottle
or cover up the telltale odor when she
descended on their abodes
She had driven away half the mendi-
cants in town. The worthy ones whom
she had made comfortable at home
| they even We're not grateful; they
missed the noise and excitement of the
street. But Mrs. Stone was Obdurate.
If the police would not enforce the
| begging ordinance, she Would. If the
really needy ones would stay at home,
she would see that they were provided
for; if they infested the street not a
penny should they have from her, and
she would see that they were arrested
into the bargain. So the blind laven-
der men took to Woodworking. and
they all grumbled and were very I'M
happy.
One morning a woman in a bedrag
gled black gown and veil with hole
that came just over the tip of her nose
made her way into Mrs Stones office.
Mrs. Stone knew the type-husband, Il
laboring man, just dead; from three to
six young children, not one of earning
age.
BE seated" said Mrs. Stone brusque-
ly, but not unkindly, and her limp
guest perched uncomfortably on the
edge of the only chair, which was so
located that every ray of cold gray
light searched out the lines in the Wis
itor's face. What can do for you?"
Il want work." said the woman
''What kind?'
amy kind of work by the day."
:" Gan you clean r
Eyes" "a xxs.
wash well? sSssXl@..,
pretty we'll" isSS
"Cook?"
"Some-plain things"
"H'm-cleaning would be best for
{ you"
Mrs. Stone noted these details in a
| 4
, dress, nativity, and then came down tC
more interesting details.
How long have you lived hereT
"a week"
Mrs. Stone raised her eyebrows.
where did you come 'front.'
The woman mentioned nearby
, town.
why did you leave thereT" ~.
| "My husband died"
"How long ago?"
about three weeks"
How many children have you"
: "Five."
Ages, please"
= The oldest is ten"
Husband leave you anything?"
The woman hesitated.
Yes, a little,' she said finally
"How much?"
"Well. the society buried him anG
3 paid the doctor, and had a little left
4 How much?" came the remorseless
a question.
y About $780,
You have that?'
d mo, 'ma'am."
r what did you do with it?"
81 bought something
: Indeed Mrs. Stones pencil wa.
t suspended in the air. "WhatT'
e "a sealskin sack"
l. "a what:' Mrs Stone almost shout
n ed.
e The woman cast down her eyes. 90
o sealskin sack" she repeated almost In
, audibly.
C .Well, I declarev' Mrs. Stone sait
a aloud. "a. charwoman with new
J. $500 sealskinw she added to herself
t. when do you propose to wear it,
e she went on to inquire-''to your worl
n in the morning."
e "Oh. no. aam.'' continued the wo
d man, taking the question seriously. Sc
It days I'll wear it sometimes. If it's no
n too sunny and doesn't rain. They sa.
rain doesn't hurt 'em. but l wouldn'
take the chances-and sun fades 'em.
What good is it to do you. then?"
,ol "Oh, l take 1t out of its bag an,
;. stroke it morning and night and be
~ tween whites when have time. Their
; isn't much danger of its being stoler
\ No one would suspect such a thin
=. in place like ours and I'd thrash
:. child within an inch of its life VIII
- dared tell of it. Ines the worst. l d
" dread fire. | wish could insure it,
IL Mrs. Stone was facing one of tn
III problems of her career.
a. 81 don't understand it at ALL" sh
Or said, f'why you should have spent you
IT. entire capital SO wastefully and S
uselessly? You have nothing to wea
/ rrrstl fI4 &I,s.