Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27


Euchre Club. lingering over
their salad and coffee at the
close of an afternoon, habitual-
ly lamented the scarcity OF
servants in Gardner, ascribing as the
cause that Gardner was mill town
Mrs. Bascome, lately come from the
south and secure in her colored Becky,
lightly imputed the whole trouble to the
fact that the north was so insistent upon
education. The final word seemed to have
been said when she drawled conclusively:
my fathah always said if the working
people were educated 1t would be the emu
of the servant class"
AS she spoke she flung her stole over
one shoulder in the fashion of the year.
Joined several Of the other club members
and departed in a fiutter Of gay talk down
the streets steep descent toward the car.
The trolley at this hour was crowded to
the very steps with mill hands. and
the clubwomen were obliged to swing I'M
steadily from straps, holding their finery
from the floor in indignant protest. Their
Indignation was only partially appeased
when several men sheepishly abandoned
their seats to them and made their way
to the platform and the solace Of to-
bacco.
Most of the mill girls were brave in
their early winter finery, patterned III
ments Of the euchre club. Some of them
stared rudely at Mrs. Bascome's smart
little hat that flared at an unexpected an
gle. then adjusted their stiff felts. gay
with ribbons and scanty plumes in vain
attempt at her style. Here and there
women dropped with fatigue. Their hands,
in harsh mittens, lay inertly in their laps.
while their lunch boxes, often pathetically
masking as music rolls or cameras.
slipped time and again from their weary
grasp The younger girls. however. were
shouting and talking together. bridling at
the men. making engagements with them
for balls or the vaudeville.
Then Name. I'm on to YOU / SEE.
and you ought to have heard him laugh
one girl was confi6ing
The ladies lifted their eyebrows express
svely at each other to show their annoy
anCe More weary from their pleasure
than the mill girls from their toll, their
tired nerves rebelled against the unneces-
sary ciamor
Mrs Bascome had difficulty in hearing
what Mrs Cooley, the president of the
club was saving above the whirr of the
car and the loud clatter. but at her Gues-
lion. second time repeated, she shouted,
sweetly. in return:
NO. Mrs. Cooley, I don't but il hear
of any one I'll let you know. My Becky
may possibly have a friend who would
like the place. What work do you re-
quiah Mrs. Cooley. of your second girl?"
An intelligent-looking young American
TO catch the answer.
oh expect the usual combination of
waitress and chambermaid. With only
three In the family, there is almost moth
ing to do. She could have every evening
of and two afternoons. counting Sunday.
! pay six week. yet none but Firms
have applied. The worst of 1t is. my cook
will leave if don't get some one soon"
Mrs. Bascome motioned the conductor
to stop. and she tottered uncertainty
down the moving car. she called merrily
over her shoulder:
81 may apply for that position myself.
It's a very good place"
The young American girl slipped into
the seat Mrs. Bascome's going had left
empty. She glanced hesitatingly at Mrs
Cooley from time to time as If about TO
address her. but before she had done so
Mrs. Cooley left the car. and by pressing
her face 10 the window the girl had a
f1eetng picture of her decorous progress
up a shaded walk leading TO large brick
house set we'll back from the street.
The trolley had almost reached the end
of the line before she, too. alghted and
walked toward the cottage where she
boarded with the Farley family. her flag
ging step growing lighter she swung
the gate behind her. Although there was
very neat front entrance with door
bell she made her way directly 10 the
kitchen. entering without the formality
of Knocking An elderly woman of Irish
American lineage looked up pleasantly
from the stove. where she was frying
cakes.
Well Mamie she said kindly. Il
thought We were lost" Then. divining the
girls dependency. she asked. There
amt anything wrong, is there?'
Yes there's good deal wrong. | am
al wore out My head aches. and my
side hurts most of the time. / don't see
how I'm going to stand II through the
winter" Her eyes filled with tears OF
seIf-pity and rising hastily 10 hide her
agitation. she began mechanically TO set
the table.
You'd ought TO see DOCTOR, the older
woman called above the frying.
II have I seen DIR. Otis this noon
\ What did ne say?'
There appreciable pause.
He said had To- git out of the mill ana
git out quick ] had to have better AIR
and more exercise. and not sit so much.
I'm I'll broke up She bowed her face,