The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-20
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 ger WAS all in. physically, financially
 and mentally" said the woman in
 violet There was but one thing that could put me on my feet and restore me to the business world, a trip abroad. How to get it was the rub.'
 Ever read the perennial fable, How to do up old Europe on 9 cents a day?'" piped an interrogation point with a yellow button. ''Votes for Women," on the lapel of the latest agony in spring coats.
 But I hadn't the 25 cents, said the violet lady. whose name is HOW in gold on the window of a Fifth avenue. shop. T hadn't even car fare or the prospect of 1t the day resolved to go to Europe.
 Ut had been over a year since the widening of the avenue and the sale Of the building where had built up smart trade threw me out. Then came SICK ness and a series of untoward disasters to eat up my bank account and rob me of the compelling force. The crisis had come; it was go abroad or death.
 After a week of hard thinking l called taxi, and brave in fresh patent leather pumps and with gardenia in buttonhole, I sallied forth to the home Of a former profitable customer.
 CT am going abroad I said Can't I do something for your
 "Going abroad?' cried Mme. Lucky. How providential. have just forfeited my passage for a. yachting cruise with my husband and some old friends. I will hand over my Hist of Paris wants to you. have been the whole winter making it out
 My heart stood still; the gardenia ceased to palpitate After scramble through bureau drawers the list was mine. Emboldened by this first call, kept the taxi busy that day and the next, until I had orders of close to $1o0o with out penny in sight for passage or cur rent expenses.
 "The situation was becoming exciting, when was overtaken in Madison square by a frivolous young thing with money galore-that and nothing more.
 "I hear you are going abroad she said Take me with you, can't you? All my summer plans have fallen through. To go abroad with business woman would be such a lark, something to talk about next winter you knowi Do take me, she pleaded.
 "'Sure.' I said, falling in with her mood.
 ".Mean it truly?' she cried. Jolly! Have you engaged passage? I am going to Bowling Green in the morning. You're such a busy woman. will save your time and secure our berths. I'll pay the deposit and you can settle with me when we are aboard
 with that she vanished, while l dropped on a bench in the park to gather my bewildered senses. The weeks end found the financial problem no nearer solution, but chance was with me, for when my self-invited travelling companion came to my boarding house to remind me that our steamer tickets must be paid for that day. l was not at home. I returned late that night after vain effort to raise $500 without collateral. and found this note: Paid for tickets. We can settle up at the wharf
 Had I been home when she called it might never have gone so far; in all probability I would have 'fessed up. But with passage paid and several thousand dollars worth of orders there could be no backsliding.
 For days my head ticked like dollar watch, so overworked was my think tank. It was the last card in the pack and played it like fullfedged plunger. called upon Madam Lucky.
 "T am sailing tomorrow, I s1d I dropped in to see If there was anything you had forgotten to put down in the list of Paris wants.
 How good of you she smiled, to think of me! I should say there was.