The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-21
Married Life
q. the Fourth Year
az MABEL HERBERT uRNER.

Az MABEL HERBERT URNER.
Her shabby black bonnet sat askew |
on her struggling gray hair. Her hands |
trembled in the frayed gloves as she |
fumbled in her handbag for her ref |
erences."
Helen took the envelope and drew
out a worn sheet of paper, written IN !
faded ink. 1t was dated 1905-eight
years ago.
Anna Flanagan has been in my
employ as cook for the past four
months She is good cook, hon
est, 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 answered Helen that
she could do any kind of work or
cooking.
I'm sure | can suit you, miss. II
you'll just try me for a month
Helen wanted to dismiss this poor
woman without telling her that she
was too old and that her breath was
strong Of whisky.
We'll. 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. I'd like
to work for nice young lady like
YOU"
THE MONEY REFUSED.
Il have several others to see be-
fore l 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.
"Oh, no ma am, you needn't give me
carfare. I'm staying only about twelve
blocks from here-I walked down"
Helen insisted on her taking the
dime. and with thank you, ma am
she put it carefully in little worn
purse.
AS she went out Helen looked after
her pitingly How could she ever hope
to get position as general house
worker? She was too old and too
shabby. Yet her advertisement had
read, Competent middle-aged woman
wants place as cook or general house
worker"
No doubt she had been competent
eight years ago, but her breath and
her shaking hands cried aloud of her
incomDetency now. Those eight years,
as she grew older and her chances Of
work grew less, had drive nher 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 momen-
tary alcoholic forgetfulness.
The doorbell rang again, and Helen
felt relieved when she saw that her
sympathes would not be narrowed by
the woman who now entered.
She was about thirty. a foreigner,
fairly we'll dressed and most asssrtive.
Her keen glance quickly took in Helen
and the apartment. Not waiting to be
questioned, she promptly began TO do
the questioning herself
How many rooms have you? What
time do you have dinner? What days
do 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 superior smile and foreign &C
cent. Here are my references"
The references spoke of her as an
educated. capable woman, but Helen
noticed that she had remained in one
Of the places longer than three months.
However capable, evidently three
months of this young woman's assert
iveness had been all that one could
stand.
40 you speak French or German?'
she asked abruptly, as Helen returned
the letters. NO? That is too bad
i.r ! speak both French and German
retter than I do English. | speak
also some Italian.
But | am not looking for linguist
but for a good, plain cook"
He,cn'S sarcasm was quite lost on
is young woman, who lOftily inform
% her that in Germany she had taken
thorough course in domestic science
HELEN AMAZED.
'Eui ! could not come fer S25,' she
announced, as though the decision rest
Il Wholly WITH her. They give me
so where ! am now"
Then possibly you had better re
n,a'u there, suggested Helen.
no: | DO not like the people.
al used 10 working only in the very
best families. So you do net think
you could give ME S30?'
with difficulty Helen refraineC
fl IN &aving what she did think.
"Well. | will consider it," conde
scondinsly Since the family is sc
small and no washine~I might try
it. | viii let YOU know next week
F1elen sasped.
Il viii have to ask you for my car
fire, as she rose 10 go. That is
customary, is it not?'
It ha0 neevr occurred to Helen tt