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


TYER shabby black bonnet sat
asiew on her struggling gray
hair. Her hands trembled in the
trayed gloves as she fumbled in her
handbag for her references"
Helen took the envelope and drew
cut worn sheet of paper, written in
faded TAX. 1t was dated 1se5-eight
years ago.
Anna Flanagan has been in
my employ as cook for the past
four months She is good cook,
honest, willing and sober
MRS. W. G. ROBERTS,.
But this is some time ago." ven
tured Helen. where have you been
working since: Haven't you any later
references:
Her answers TO this were somewhat
vague. but she assured Helen that she
could DO any kind OF work or cook
ing
I'm sure I can suit you. miss. If
you'll just try me for month"
Helen wanted to dismiss this poor
old woman without telling her that
she was too old and that her breath
was strong of whisky.
We'll. I have your address, and
can let you know. But don't wait for
this" hastily, "if you can get any
other place"
you looks real kind. miss. To like
to work for nice young lady Ike
you"
THE MONEY REFUSED
ct have several others to see be-
fore I can engage any one" Helen's
tone was more decided. Now here's
your car fare"
But old, shabby, destitute as she
was. she hesitated to take it.
"Oh. no. ma'am, you needn't give
me carfare. I'm staying only bout
twelve blocks from here-I walked
down"
AS she went out Helen looked after
her pityingly. How could she ever
hope to get position as general
houseworker? She was too old and
too shabby. Yet her advertisement
had read. Competent middle aged
woman wants place as cook or gem
cral houesworker.'
No doubt she had been competent
eight years ago. but her breath and
her shaking hands cried aloud of her
incompetency now. Those eight years.
az she grew older and her chances of
work grew less. had driven her to the
solace of drink.
And now-who would employ her
now? Helen pictured her going from
place to place with that worn eight
year old reference, until, weary and
discouraged, she would seek mo-
mentary alcoholic forgetfulness-
The doorbell rang again. and Helen
felt relieved when she saw. that her
sympathies would not be narrowed by
the woman who now entered.
She was about 80. foreigner, fair
ly well dressed and most assertive.
Her keen glance quickly took in
Helen and the apartment. Not wait
ing to be questioned, she promptly be-
gan to do the questioning herself.
How many rooms have you? What
time do you have dinner? What days
Go you give off? And what do you
pay?
Now that I've answered all your
questions, suppose you answer some
of mine" said Helen quietly.
"Oh, know how to do my work"
with a superior smile and foreign ac
cent. Here are my references"
The references spoke of her as an
educated, capable woman, but Helen
noticed that she had remained in none
of the places longer than three
months. However capable, evidently
three months of this young woman's
assertiveness had been all that any
one could stand.
do you speak French or German?'
she asked abruptly, as Helen returned
the letters. NO? That is too bad.
for I speak both French and German
better than / do English. I speak
also some italian"
but 1 am not looking for lin
guist-but for a good plain cook
Helen's sarcasm was quite lost on
this young woman, who loftily in
formed her that in Germany she had
taken a thorough course in domestic
science.
HELEN AMAZED
but I could not come for $685." she
announced, as though the decision
rested wholly with her. They give
ne $50 where I am now"
Then possibly you would better re-
main there" suggested Helen.
No; / do not like the people.
am used to working only in the very
best families. So you do not think
you could give me 1902"
With difficulty Helen refrained from
saying what she did think.
Well, I win consider it, conde-
scendingly. Since the family is so
small and no Washing might try
it. 1 will let you know next week"
Helen gasped.
II will have to ask you for my car
fare" as she rose to go. That is