The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-12-22

/ hight it out in the city.
Roberts parents had insisted on
taking Eddie, and to this she finally
consented. She believed she still
had friends who would take an m
terest in her and assist her in find
ing work. Many of them wer e
prominent trades people who could
have helped, but they turned a cold
shoulder on her sorrow, and left her
to fight her own battles. They could
not help her, she was the wife of a
condemned man, nor could they as
sociate with her, it would be almost
like encouraging crime, to condone
an offense like this. She was passed
now with barely nod, sometimes
not even that. A few advised her
to get a divorce and to go back to
her parents, and this too, by the
same people who had helped to eat
up Roberts substance in banquets,
and-but why continue?
Her creditors did not leave her
long in doubt, as to what they would
do. And at the end of a fortnight,
she was without a home, and with
less than fifty dollars between her
and starvation. To detail all her
ups and downs in the city to barely
exist would make the story interim
nable, it would take volume.
Taking in plain sewing, address
ing envelopes, making mems apparel
in the factory, working in depart
ment store are only a few OF a score
Of things she had tried, to keep body
and soul together. Is it any won
der she became bitter against the
world and especially against Robert
who had brought it all about, so she
reasoned? Why didn't they stay in
Langley. No; they must come to
the city, and burn all their bridges
behind them, and now she could not
go back. A year of this struggle
passes, and by the advice of the on
ly true friend she seemed to have,
(the lawyer who had defended Rob
ert), and who offered his services
free until such time as she could
afford to pay him. she accepted his
offer, applied for and was granted
an absolute divorce, with the priyi-
lege of resuming her maiden name.
She was also awarded the care and
custody of the child. However, the
care of the child fell to the lot of
his Grandma Owens, who, faithful
to her charge, made the little fellow
as comfortable and happy as lay in
her power, for his mother could not
help much. Robert was kept posted
OF the child's welfare and progress
in many an interesting letter, for
you may be sure their son was not
forgotten or forsaken. A Father
may sometimes forget a child, but a
mother, never. Little Eddie was
taught, when he said his Now l
lay me down to Sleep" to ask God
to bless Papa as well as Mamma.
In assuming her maiden name, Be-
atrice did so because she could bear
the name Ovens no longer. She
felt that she was through with that
name, after all it had brought her;
and yet they had loved each other
so.
Four years have passed and after
enduring all the suffering that pow
erty could bring, we find her in a
large department. store, where she
had secured a position, first at five
dollars a week, then six, then seven,
her present wages. The manager
told her when she applied for the
last raise in her wages, that it would
be useless to ask again, as they
could not and would not pay any
more. He did suggest, however,
with peculiar smile, You're good
looking. why don't you get friend
to help you out?" 1t is hard to live
on six or even seven dollars a week,
and support yourself decently and
honestly in the city; try it and see).
And yet it is fact that thousands
of girls and women are receiving
less than five dollars a week.
Her long hours on her feet at the
counter had broken her health and
spirits, and with physical weakness
came recklessness and despair. (Tru-
ly she was learning the value of
money now.) What did it matter
what happened? no one cared. She
was still young and good looking.
She could pick friend" out of a
dozen or so moral vultures who
were only waiting chance to be her
"frie She was still young
enough to long for love, and sympa-
thv. she saw the fine clothes; the