The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-15

I The mornings paper. Under the Sit
uations Wanted" just one advertise
ment held possibilities:
GOOD German girl wants general
homework in small family; clean.
willing and good worker. No. -
West Sth st. (ring hraus bell)."
Helen had never gone out to look
for girl this way: she had always
written them TO call on her But
now, as she hurriedly dressed for the
street, she decided it would save time
and she could judge something of the
girls neatness and character from
the place in which she lived.
| Eighth street was swarming with
children. A bakery shop with some
stale looking cake in a dingy window
was at No. -. but above were flats,
| for there was a side door with three
| bells.
! "Kraus," and entered the dark, mar
row hall. Coming from the sunlit
street. she could hardly see the
stairs
Come right up. please" came a
woman's voice from above.
Then the patter OF small feet. and
child peered down at her
rs your mamma up there?" asked
Helen. almost afraid to go up.
The child, without removing its
finger from its mouth, nodded en-
couragingly and trudged ahead of
Helen up the two step fights.
The hall was filled with mingled
odors of washing and cooking. but
the woman who held open the door
was bright looking and clean. There
were two other children. pretty.
chubby children, who chung to their
mothers skirts and gazed up at
Helen with big. brown eyes
Did you come bout the advertise
ment. miss?'' the woman asked
Won't you come in? That was my
sister. and she's just got place"
"Oh, I'm sorry" exclaimed Helen.
glancing around the room. which was
kitchen, dining, living room all in
one. yet was scrupulously clean
make a good maid.
IN DEMAND
won't you sit down. miss? Those
steps are real steep. Yes, there's
been two ladies here this mornin',
and the last lady took Susie right
home with her. l wanted her to wait
Il told her she might get somethin'
she'd like better. But the lady just
kept at her to CO.
DO you know anything about the
place she's gone tor" asked Helen.
mo, miss, 'cept there be three in the
family. and Susie has to do the wash
in. I wanted Susie to get some place
she wouldn't have to wash
Yes, I'm sorry missed her There's
only myself and husband and no wash
ing"
AN I know you'd ave liked Susie.
miss. She's a good girl and a fast
| neat as PIN"
The woman hesitated and then added
thoughtfully: i've another sister.
year older than Susie. She's a fine
girl, too, and I've been wantin' her to
go back to housework-it's a lot bet
ter for her health"
What is she doing now?" Helen
| asked.
she's worIin' in factory where
they make these straws for soda foun-
tains. But the seasons near over now,
and I've been at her to go back into
service. Factory work amt good for
her health"
rs she a good cook? She's had ex-
perience at housework?"
"Oh, yes, miss; she's a fine cook.
She was three years with Mrs. Powell
in West SEVENTEEN street. might
have her come to see you miss
Then she must come this evening
or in the morning" as Helen drew out
her card. You see, need some one
right away"
But as Helen went down the three
flights and made her way through the
street swarming with children, she
had little hope of the girl coming.
In spite of the better wages, better
food and healthier conditions of
homework Helen knew that a girl
rarely leaves factory to return to
service. and all because of a false
social standard.
1t was now after 4, and Helen hur-
ried back to help Mrs. O'Grady get
dinner. They had been home three
days now. and still there was no
definite prospect of a maid. and this
was the last day this week that Mrs.
! OGrady could give her.
Tomorrow Helen determined to get
| every morning paper and to go
| through all the advertisements of
| 'Housework Wanted" She would
start out early and give the whole
day to it. for she MUST get some
! kind of a maid before tomorrow night