The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-22
How She Earned
Her Living.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


for my interest in Mollie Jenkins. In
the first place, she Is but seventeen;
/ an thirty. In the second place, she
hadn't cent in the world, being de-
pendent upon her aunt Miss Amelia
Southworth. In the third place, ! have
notion that she is trifie too smart.
Miss Southworth has little income
which will die with her. | wonder II
Mollie isn't trying to get all she can
of it into her own possession against
the day Of her aunt's demise. Lastly,
1t is to my interest as clergyman
that | shall marry, and my congrega-
ton are looking for me to take a suit.
able helpmeet. / shudder at the
thought Of announcing an engagement
to them to little chit like Mollie.
Miss Southworth is maiden of sew
enty. Mollie lives with her. and Mol
lies method of earning her living is
to amuse her aunt. The aunt is only
to be amused evenings by playing
bridge, Of which she is very fond.
She was in her younger days an indu-
entail member Of my congregation and
Is still an important member from the
fact OF her age and long connection
with the church. Since it is neces-
sary that I show her due attention
show it In playing bridge with her.
1t Is In this way that have become
interested in Mollie, who always has
a hand and sometimes plays dummy.
Miss Southworth Is native Of Eng
land. where old ladies don't think 1t a
sin to play cards for money. She in
sits tiat bridge is but poor game
without small stake, and on sitting
down to the game ! found myself in a
position either to offend her or do what
IS with us In America an unclerical
act-play for tenth Of a cent a point.
Being expected to play with one of the
Oldest and most respected members OF
my congregation, yielded.
One evening Miss Southworth. Mol
lie and l were playing bridge. Mollic
held a succession Of good hands and
was scoring points. Indeed, her luck
ran so steadily that IL the circum.
stances were otherwise should have
looked for trickery. Miss Southworth
was beginning to get irritable. She
had lost CO cents. and there was nc
/ change Of luck In sight Mollie said q
good deal about there being no fun In
I one sided game, but went on win
, ming. Presently Miss Southworth
, while Mollie was dealing. said to hel
, fiercely:
! Go upstairs-'
MollIe turned red as a beet. rost
+ from the table and without a wore
|. left the room. Her aunt sat fannin.
! herself angrily. I waited develop
$ ments. They came in time.
I "Did you see what she was doing?
she asked me.
"No."
1 Cheating"
D Good graciousr'
? "only seventeen, and she can deal |
{ pack Of cards to put good hant
| wherever she likes
!. but what was her object? She wa
E having splendid hands"
8 HIN. She dealt them TO herself"
a I settled up my score. paying 3
!. cents, and babe my hostess good even
! Ing.
I .you won't say anything about this:
4 she said.
Certainly not"
Nor was likely TO tell that I ha'
. been playing cards for money and on
!. OF the players had cheated. For tn
: next week or two lived In dread les
!. the matter should leak out. suffere
q In another way. Somewhere down |
my heart there was disappointment.
One day met Mollle on the street
III the act wouldn't have been notice
, able l should have crossed befor
i meeting her. She spoke TO me smi
: ingiy and said:
= "Auntie Is waiting for you to com
I'm again and play bridge"
: .sH'm! | stammered. ''who Is to tax
j the other handsf"
= Il am the only one unless some on
happens In"
"Haye you and your aunt made U
that
:. .'oh. yes. She has forgiven me-"
!. "H'm! Have you forgiven you
: seifT
She looked up nc me with an inn'
cent expression that would have gor
y 20 my heart except for the sill
y There's nothing TO forgive"
y didn't you deal yourself goo
= handsr'
= "Not Intentionally. They came to n
!, by luck. But you know auntie can
y stand to lose. When she does she ge
i. i rufiied and can't sleep. When 81
y caught me was dealing her splei
did no trump hand and she would hay
=. had everything her own way"
I. 81 see. What evening would yol
- aunt like TO have me callT'
- "Any evening: we're always
home"
nj "very well. III be there tonight"
X. It's a dangerous thing for a man
ne think evil Of woman who attroc
re him and then find that he has be-