Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-19
THE EVENING STORY.
Sewing Machine Agent.
Copyright. 1914. by ". werner.)

tCopyrght. 1919, by W. WetnefJ
Helen gladly sat down in the narrow
reception hall She had been on her feet
ns,T'y all day. tramping from one end
- suburb to the other. down side
Ie and up. And not a single person
~ inclined to listen to lady sew
"-ahine agent or even to acknowl-
=- Ia. a sewing machine could be OF
-... sos s.ble use. Helen sometimes fan
nat she wasn't altogether success
:--n, Else why were her commits
eu~ always the least Of the entire sales
fu.cc? So much the least that the man.
axe. wry old man with spluttery
tongue intimated lately that 1t was hard
~ worth while wasting daily carfare and
lunch money on her.
TN be down in a moment" voice
rad called after the maid had opened the
door. Just take a seat
She sat down and looked about. 1t
was an untidy hail. Dust lay thick on
the pictures and coat rack. She remem-
bered that the maid had dragged the 1eet
she was too indolent to lift from the
AooS. The rug was worn ana muddy.
Poverty perhaps could account for part
Of the condition, but good beating
would remove the mud. Evidently no
prospect Of . sale here. Presently the
ovnee Of the voice came down. Seeing
her. Helen understood the maids drag
g1nS Fest the muddy rug and the dust
HE was overdressed. though her garb
IVES mercy q negiise But It was a
sopAd. Her hair was in hid curriers'. al
though II was nearly s o'clock. and her
face vas covered with cold cream. She
fung open Q door at the end OF the hall
A sewing machine was half hidden by
several kinds of goods, remnant OF
siik, q length Of velvet, and all colors o.
linen ana ponsss. Helens hoPss went
dered why she had been detained. But
she soon found out
Il bought this machine from you folks
only four months ago the woman said.
one to come by SO could find out what
10 the matter with It. 1t runs so hard. F"
She hung up the shade as she spoke.
Helen was surprised to see that she was
ave In the dim light of the hall she had
appeared much older and her querulous
DICE had added to that old appearance
She bent over the machine and looked
e; y carefully. Then she slipped fold,
o bit OF pongee under the needle and
started the wheels 1t did run hard and
the silky goods puckered. Helen lifted
the top and her eyes snapped dtsgustedly
az what was revealed. Dust dirt, snip
pings Of thread and goods filled It. More
oyer II needed Oil. She asked for a can.
II haven't any," explained the owner
shortly. Il had 3 bottle but It's been
misplaced and couldn't hnd It in q
week. What's broksn?' she demanded
IN wager it was q secondhand machine
that that chap put OF on mel"
II was a perfectly new machine. Hell
en- told her. disgustedly. She pulled Z
l.airpin from her smooth brown hair and
roLed out the dust and snippings that
c;ogged straps and wheels The woman
ratched her rathe-- resentfully.
I've kept il cleaned she explained
until the last two days. when ] was sc
sy." Jnlorage and apology were blend.
IN her voice.
Helen said nothing, but her lips curled
the last few days. Not In four months
Or doubtless ionger-had that litter beer
disturbed. As she rose to go two little
dirty. abashed boys stuck their black
heads inside. Can we have some bread
and butter?' they asked in concert
Good gracious, no, Can't you see how