The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-08-23
Copyright by Doubleday, Page &. Co.

alton of the Elsie series But it your Elsie had lived
over here in our big city there might have been
chapter in her books not very different from this
Especially for the vagrant feet of youth are the
roads of Manhattan beset with pitfalls and with
SIM But the civic guardians of the young have
made themselves acquainted with the snares of the
wicked and most of the dangerous paths are patrol
ed by their agents And this will tell you how they
guided my Elsie safely through all peril to the goal
that she seeking.
Elsie's father had been cutter for Fox 6 Otter,
coaks and furs, on lower Broadway He was old
man, with a imping gait, SO a chauffeur him
down one day when liveer game was scarce. They
took the old man home, where he lay on his bed a
year and then died. leaving 81 so in cash and letter
from Mr. Otter offering to do anything he could to
help his faithful old employee The old cutter re-
garded this letter as valuable legacy to his daugh
ter, and he put it into her hands with pride the
shears Of the dread Cleaner and Reaper shipped off
his thread Of life.
That was the landlords cue; and forth he came
and did his part in the great eviction scene There
was no snowstorm ready for Elsie to steal out into
drawing her little red wooden shawl about her Shout
ders, but she went out regardless And as for the
red shawl Elsie's fall tan coat was cheap, but it
had the style and fit of the best at Fox Offers.
And her lucky stars had given her good looks, and
eyes blue and innocent as the new shade of note
paper and she had 81 left of the $3.50 And the let
ter from Mr.. Otter. Keep your eye on the letter
from Mr.. Otter.
tune. One trouble about the letter from Mr. Otter
was that it did not bear the address Of the firm
which had moved month before But Elsie thought
she could find it. She had heard that policemen
when politely addressed, thumbscrewed by an in
vestigation committee, will give up information and
addresses. So she boarded downtown at One
Hundred and Seventy seventh street and rode south
to Forty-second.
A kind-faced, sunburned young man went past
Elsie into the Grand Central station. That was
Hank Ross of the Sunflower Ranch in Idaho, on his
way home from visit to the east. Hanks heart was
heavy for Sunflower Ranch was a lonesome place.
0okI fboy NJ a q
find one during his visit who would congenially
share his prosperity and home, but the girls OF
Gotham had not pleased his fancy. But as he
passed in, he noted, with jumping of his pulses
the sweet ingenious face of Elsie and her pose OF
doubt and loneliness With true and honest western
impulse he said to himself that here was his mate
He could love her, he knew; and he would surround
her with much comfort, and cherish her so care
fully that she would be happy.
Backed by his never-before- questioned honesty OF
purpose, heapproached the girl and removed his hat
Elsie had but time to up his handsome, frank
face with one shy look of modest admiration when
burly cop hurled himself upon the ranchman, seized
him by the collar and backed him against the wall
Two blocks away burglar was coming out OF an
apartment house with a bag OF silverware on his
shoulder; but that is neither here nor there
Garry on yez mashin' tricks right before me
eyes, will yez? shouted the cop. "I1l teach yez to
speak to ladies beat that yere not acquainted
with. Come along"
Elsie turned away with sigh as the ranchman
was dragged away. She/had liked the effect Of his
light blue eyes against his tanned complexion. She
walked southwark, thinking herself already in the
district where her father used to work, and hoping
to find some who could direct her to the firm of
Fox & Otter.
But did she want to find Mr.. Otterf She had in
berited much Of the old cutters independence. How
much better it would be if she could find work and
support herself without calling on him for aid!
Elsie saw sign g Employment Agency and went
in. Many girls were sitting against the wall inI
chairs. Several well-dressed ladies were looking
xxaif -Inoirn aondn lady
in rustling silk hurried up to Elsie.
my dear, she said in sweet, gentle voice. care
you looking for postion7 Like your face and APP
pearance so much. I want young woman who viii
be half maid and half companion to me- You will
have good home and will pay you $50 month
Before Elsie could stammer forth her gratifiedl