El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-10-13
Married Lies Troubles
Helen Spends a Fruitless and Dis
eOuraging Day in Her Search
For Maid.
BY Mabel Herbert Urner :

Helen took the envelope and drew
out worn sheet of paper. written in
faded ink. It was dated 19O5-eight
years ago.
Anna Flanagan has been in my
employ as cook for the past four
months. She is a good cook, honest,
willing and sober.
Mrs. ". 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
cooking.
I'm sure I can suit you, miss If
you'll just try me for a month"
Helen wanted to dismiss this poor
old woman without telling her that
she was too old and that her breath
was strong of whiskey.
We'll, 1 have your address-and 1
can let you know But don't wait
for this" hastily. If you can get any
YOU looks real kind, miss. I'd
like to work for a nice young lady
like you
The Money Refused.
nave several OlnerS TO see De-
fore I can engage any one" Helen's
tone was more decided. Now here's
your carfare."
But old, shabby. destitute as she
was she hesitated to take it.
on, no ma am you needn't give me
carfare. I'm staying only bout Il
blocks from here-I walked down"
Helen insisted on her taking the
dime and with a Thank you. ma am"
she put 1t carefully in little worn
purse.
AS she went out Helen looked after
her pltyinSly- How could she ever
hope to get position as general
hOuseworker2 She was too old and
had read. Competent middle-aged
woman wants place as cook or gem
eral houseworker."
No doubt she had been competent
eight years ago. but her breath and
her shaking hands cried alond of her
lncompetency now. Those eight wears,
as she grew older and her chances of
work grew less, had driven her to the
solace of drink.
The door bell rang again. and
Helen felt relieved when she saw that
her sympathies would not be har-
rowed by the woman who now en-
tered.
She was about 30. a foreigner. fairly
Wen dressed and most assertive. Her
keen glance quickly took in Helen
ana the apartment Not waiting to be
DrOmDrlW haHan \ n
the questioning herself
How many rooms have you2 What
time do you have dinner2 What days
DO you give off? And what do you
Now that I've answered all your
questions, suppose you answer some
OF mine, said Helen quietly
know how to do my work"
with superior. smile and foreign ac-
cent Here's my references"
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.
Helen Amazed.
But 1 could not come for s25." she
,aI 1oghced' as though the decision
rested wholly with her. They give
me $50 where I am now"
Then possibly you had better re-
main there" suggested Helen
NO; l do not like the people.
am used to working only in the very
best families. So YOU do not think
you could give me sSO?H
With difficulty Helen refrained
IRON saying what she did think.
Well, 1 will consider it" con-
descendingly- Since the family ie 80
small and no Washing might try
IL. VIII let you know next week"
x,I wlI have to ask you for my car
tae as she rose to 60 That is Gus
II had never occurred to Helen to
SiIeT Inls superior person carfare
oHe hao simply not thought of it. But
now W., she FASTENED for her purse.
THANK you Good morning"
When the door closed Helen esva
way 10 her suppressed laughter. for
her sense of humor was stronger
Inan her Indignation But if this
Woman should condescend to come?
linen warren would have to handle
the sltua4fon-for Helen felt She
would not be equal to it.
with an anxious froWn she took IN
me me paper Under the Situations
wanted Just one advertisement held
possibilities.
Good German girl wants general
nI.ouseWork IN small family; clean, will |
ing and good worker. No. = West
Sth st (ring Kraus ben)
Helen had never gone out to look
LOT a girl this way; she had always |
written them to call on her But now
as she hurr1edly dressed for the street. |
sne declded II would save time and /
she could judge something of the girls /
neatness and character from the place 4
IN which she lived.
Eighth street was sWarming with !
chlldren- bakery shop with some 4
ScaIe Iooklng cake in dingy window |
was at NO -, but above were /
flats. for there was a side door with /
three bells
Helen rang the bell marked 'cKraus."
and entered the dark, narrow hail. |
coming from the sun-lit street. she
could hardly see the stairs.
Come right up, please" came a
woman voice from above.
Then the patter of small feet, and a
child peered down at her.
Is your mamma up there?" asked
Helen, almost afraid to go up.
The child, without removing its fin
ger from its mouth, nodded en-
couraglngly and trudged ahead of /
Helen up the two steep flights.
Did you come bout the advertise
ment, miss?" the woman asked
Won't you come in? That was nv
sister and she's just got a place.
On, I'm sorryr exclaimed Helen
5iaIclng around the room. which was
dining, living room all in
one, yet was scrupulously clean, |
surely this womans sister would make
a good maid.
In Demand.
10 you know anything about the
place she's gone to?" asked Helen.
, No. miss. 'cept there be three in
ne family, and Susie has to do the I
~ashin.' l wanted Susie to get some !
place she wouldn't have to wash"
Yes, I'm sorry 1 missed her There's
onIy myself and husband and no