The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-12-10
Copyrighted. 1907, by f. 9. PARCELS.

INTO the bargain so the blind 1aVen-
der men took to woodcarving. and
they all grumbled and were very un-
happy.
One morning a woman in 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, a
laboring man, just dead; from three to
six young children not one of earning
age.
BE seated" said Mrs. Stone brusque-
~, 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 p
II want work" said the woman
"What kinda"
'Any kind of work by the day"
'Can you clean?"
eyes"
Wash welIT
pretty we'll"
"Cook?''
"Some-plain things"
"H'm-cleaning would be best for
you"
Mrs. Stone noted these details in a
book, together with age name, ad-
dress, nativity, and then came down to
more interesting details.
How long have you lived here?"
"a week.
Mrs. Stone raised her eyebrows.
where did you come from?'
The woman mentioned a nearby
town.
why did you leave there?"
my husband died"
How long ago"
about three weeks"
How many children have your
give"
ages, please"
"The Oldest is ten"
Husband leave you anything?"
The woman hesitated.
Eyes, little,' she said finally.
ssHow much?"
wei. the SOC1Sty UuIlcu I'LL anu
paid the doctor, and / had little left"
"How much?' came the remorseless
question.
about $780,"
"You have that?'
''No, ma'am."
"What did you do with it?'
81 bought something
'Tndeedr' Mrs Stones pencil was
suspended in the air "What?"
"a sealskin sack"
ga what?" Mrs Stone almost shout
Ell
sealskin sack" she repeated almost in
audibly.
"Well, ! declarew Mrs. Stone said
aloud, "a charwoman with a new
$500 sealskinw she added to herself.
when do you propose to wear it,"
she went on to inquire ito your work
in the morning.?
"Oh. no, ma am" continued the wo-
man. taking the question seriously. 81
wouldn't wear it every day. On Sun
days I'll wear it sometimes if it's not
too sunny and doesn't rain. They say
rain doesn't hurt em. but l wouldn't
take the chances-and sun fades EN-
What good is it to do you. then?"
"Oh | take it out of its bag and
stroke it morning and night and be-
tween whiles when have time. There
isn't much danger of its being stolen.
No one would suspect such a thing
in place like ours, and I'd thrash a
child within an inch of its life who
dared tell of it. Fires the worst do
dread fire. | wish l could insure it,"
Mrs. Stone was facing one of the
problems of her career =
II don't understand it%at ALL" she
said, "why you should have spent your
entire capital so wastefully and so
uselessly? You have nothing to wear
with the thing, and you come to a
charitable association to get work for
you"
"I'll tell you," said the woman eager
ly, her face lighting up. 81 had want
ed a sealskin all my life. | was a fac
tory girl. and on my way home at
night ! used to stop before the fur
shops and look mall those lovely
capes and things-I wanted them all.
I'd have learned to sew fur and have
worked in fur shop if I'd have dared,
but | was afraid I'd steal something.
Then | married John and there was
nothing but hard work and babies
Sometimes l couldn't get out to look
in fur window for a week at a
time. Then John died" The woman's
face was alight ''Three hundred dol
lars wouldn't buy much for six, but it
would buy a sealskin. ! wanted it all
my life! | never had so much money
at one time before-I couldn't help it,
just had to buy it. | was never so
happy in my life as the night wore it
home, and Pm just as happy with it
now. I'd do it again. I'll work my
fingers to the bone for my children.
But l suppose you won't help me to get
work nowr'
The woman had risen from the
chairs edge. Mrs. Stone was medita-
lively tapping the desk with her pen
ell.
wait a minute" she said Mrs.
Stone was thinking. She was remem-
bering that two of her lady directors,
lately widowed. were seeking forget
fitness in Europe. the meager allow
ance granted by the stingy departed
having been multiplied by generous
court while the estates were being set
tied Mrs. Stone might not be sympa-
thetic, but she was logical and fair
minded
There's a janitorship vacant in a
: school which | might get for you
she said. IT'S $50 month, and you
could live well on that. Are you strong
enough to do the work, and will you
do it we'll? OF course if you don't do
it well you'll simply be discharged, but
l should dislike to recommend an in
competent person."
Put me on trial." said the woman
eagerly Indeed, I'll do it well, and
Jamie is old enough to help me some"
Very WE'LL" said Mrs. Stone. Come
at 8 o'clock on Monday, and I'll see
what can be done"
For, several seconds after her visitor
had left Mrs. Stone sat silent before