The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-11

heard that a lot of the girls here arc leaving. How she came to write to Della Mary goodness only knows. But these other letters are addressed to the ms- tresses themselves Think of thati And she tells Mrs. Fletcher that she can get six or eight girls, all German. Wouldn' t 1t be just ideal if we could only get those girlsY
 .'Um-m," said MT. Dexter. Has the Boss said anything about her letter?'
 Not a word. She put on her hat and went out right after dinner. l met her coming out of Mrs. Fanshawe's; she was headed for Mrs. Gates house."
 Anybody writing to Miss Schlotten- hauser?" asked MT. Dexter.
 Mrs. Fanshawe is writing this very minute. She's going to ask her how many she can get-to get all she can, in fact, Oh, Horace! Just think We are going to break this strike. If it isn't an Inter vention of Providence, I never heard of one"
 Housewives held hurried conferences in Gardendale all next day. Mrs. Fanshawe' s letter to Lena was mailed in the presence of half a dozen anxious ladies. The boss was busy too. Most of the day that be- longed to Mrs Dexter she spent in a house-to-house canvass. As stealthi1y as her physique would permit, the Boss made trips from kitchen to kitchen, across the rear lawns, hopping over hedges unosten- tatiously. The air was surcharged with Lena; whispered conversations buzzed with the rhythmieal name of Schlotten- hauser Late in the afternoon the Boss herself was seen to post a letter, but whether 1t went to Lena, or to one of the Boss's secret agents in the city, none could tell but Della Mary herself
 On the second day following the renewed efforts of Lena to find a haven in Gar dendale, Mrs Fanshawes house presented the appearance of a tea party. Half the ladies of the Park were there to await the coming of the letter. Wonderful to tell 1t came in the first mail. Mrs Fanshawe ripped open the envelope with unsteady fingers The letter said:
 "rnis Fanshawe Nam 1 am plees to say can get you twelf girl like self all for phases. plees hurry 10 rite an say shall we come yrs mis Lena sehlottenhauser."
 "Gloryl Glory! Gloryi" shrieked little Mrs. Wilson, and she seized the matronly Mrs. Gates about the waist and waltzed her up and down the parlor. Mrs. Gates was experiencing such queer feeling of elation that she submitted, as a good natured elephant might tolerate the we'll meant overtures of playful poodle. The other ladies jumped up and down in their places with delighted squeals. Lena forever! Lena foreverr' sang Mrs. Wilson, now engaged in a solo terp- sichorean effort, Mrs. Gates having col lapsed, breathless, into a chair. Mrs. Fanshawe was the first to speak with the voice of sanity.
 "It will not do, of course,' she said, Ito bring all these girls out here until we know definitely that we want them or until we know something about them I suggest that I write this girl and ask her to call. In that way can get an idea of what she and her friends are like"
 "The very thingi" chorused the ladies of Gardendale
 Maybe she can produce more than a dozen,' said Mrs. Wilson, panting. 'Oh, I just would love to see Lena. I could hug her"
 Before 24 hours had elapsed every body In the Park knew that Lena would call upon Mrs. Fanshawe on Saturday morning. The Boss knew it, too She was silent and grim. Although some of her constituents, alarmed at the threat ened Teutonic invasion had shown signs of wavering, the Boss did not finch. but doggedly mended fences all Friday even ing Secretly, however, the Boss was concerned. But she scorned to show even momentary droop of the rugged jaw.
 On Saturday morning there was more | porch scrubbing and sidewalk sweeping 1 than Gardendale had seen since a new l eyes were trained on all the approaches. | Mrs. Fanshawes house was picketed Such pickets as were peremptorily or 1 dered to indoor tasks managed to be busy at the front windows every time a train from the city was due.
 |, Presently came the invader-in a hack! Some one, indeed, had poured wisdom 1 into the ears of Lena. She ran no gantlet of water pails and brooms. As the vehicle drew up at Mrs. Fanshawes small, neatly dressed figure, heavily yelled hopped out and hurried briskly up the walk Before the piclets could gasp, That's her." Mrs. Fanshawe had opened the door herself and Lena was lost to view.
 For full hour the hack waited, which gave the boss time to stroll past the Kan shave mansion, glare at it's curtained windows, and call the driver a scab. It had been agreed that Mrs. Fanshawe was to conduct the interview alone, and it seemed as if the ladies of Gardendale had been unleashed, like a pack of ravenng hounds, when the slam, of a carriage door told the little world that Lena was going back to her people. As the pack went in full cry to Mrs Fanshawe's the help made a counter dash to interview the boss.
 Mrs. Fanshawe's callers found her red eyed, as though she had been weeping, but they took it for granted that they must be tears of joy, for that lady was, beyond doubt, cheerful. Some thought they detected an air of mystery.
 Lena tells me- she said, that she can get the dozen at once, and is confident that the other girls between them. can get a dozen more.'
 She won't set up to be another boss?' asked Mrs. Gates suspiciously.
 "Oh. no; I think not"
 What sort of creature is she, any how?" demanded Mrs Dexter
 "A very remarkable sort of girl" said Mrs. Fanshawe.
 ''Well,' said Mrs. Gates, addressing her neghbors, shall we accept?'' 'I suggest" said Mrs. Fanshawe, that we wait day or two longer. Lena wishes to communicate with me further
 While the conference in Mrs. Fan shawes parlor was still in session the word that Lena had made good" went from kitchen to kitchen with uncanny speed committee of three called on the Boss. crisis was in the air. Politics was rampant in the park. Dr. Dexter was reading on Sunday morning when he heard heavy tread in ter the living room.
 ''Id like to spake a wurrd, sor,' she said in tone that was new. ''Well?" said Mir Dexter.
 Me an tn girls Fl shtay," said the Boss, dropping her eyes and lingering her apron.
 eHum," said Mir. Dexter gazing out of the window, 'I don't know that it will be possible, Della"
 At tn prisint terms, sor," said the Boss quickly.