The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-22
THE BEGINNING OF A STORY
ny ETHEL MASON EATON


Exclusive Service The Survey Press
Bureau.
The girl at the next machine gave a
cry, for her neighbor. suddenly and si-
1ently had crumpled up and lay as she
fell. in huddled. undlgnihed heap upon
the floor. Someone called to the fore
woman. She in turn, quick, efficient,
but not uneoncerned, summoned the por-
ter and together they carried the un-
conscious woman into the managers oi-
fee.
When the woman came 10 herself she
moved her hand uneasily along the leath-
er OF the couch she lay on, and pua-
zled by its COOL smooth surface. she
opened her eyes dark eyes troubled by
weakness and acknowledged fear. Then
she sat up, propelled by a motive more
compelling than her physical collapse.
The manager, fitting ana creaking un-
comfortably In his swivel chair, regarded
her. Lie down again" he said, when
you are rested you are going home"
His words, Enthusiastically friendly as
they appeared to be. had an electric ef-
feet upon the woman. She struggled TO
her feet. mo. l stay" she proclaimed.
Il work. She would have ccntrived sonle-
how to gain the door, but the managers
Hdnus on her SnouiueTs puSned neT DACN
upon tho couch "Meine childerl" she
moaned. the terror In her eyes wrung
from her at last In words.
What's your manner" inquired the man
ager
'Zalinslsy. Anna" said the woman duly.
Husband living?"
mo" Then with an effort. "sinoe seven
months only"
How many children he asked
The woman held up three fingers and
dropped her hand again quickly lest he
should see how unsteady 1t was.
How much do you make here?"
Covert terror, the fear of the mother
brute pursued, shot for an instant from
her eyes. Eight dollar" she answered
sullenly.
The manager stood up. "Now. Mrs. Ia
linsky,' he said, you arc going home"
The woman covered for the first time.
You are going home and your wages
will be paid regularly every week. Take
care or your children and when your time
comes"-he was speaking very gruffly
now-"Pll send my wife's midwife to look
after you"
The woman's strength surged back TO
her but she doubted if she had under
stood. She questioned brokenly.
That's what I said' tho manager RS
| peated, his hands making havoc with
his papers. Then with iinpatcnce. for
she became voluble. temperamental, beau
| tiflc. Don't talk to me. Cant you see
| L mbusy?'
Weeks later the forewoman was called
| to the telephone: a lady sne was told.
had a message for her. Whats that? I
can't hear you oh, you don't say Well.
that's great! She told you to hsk for me?
Sure. I'll tell him. Yes, good-by." She
wrote line on the memorandum block
and dispatched a boy with Il TO the man.
| ayers office. THE zalinsky kid was born
this morning." she said to Il girl at work
upon the machine nearest her. Its a
boy and Mrs Zalinsky's doin' fine"
An hour later the manager sent for
her.
What do you suppose she'll do with
the kd?"
The forewoman offered no solution.
The manager ruminated: Shed better
hand him over to the Jewish guardians.
That's the thing to do
They're full said the forewoma n
laconically, "A friend OF mine tried 'em
last week"
The manager gave a whistle. "They'Il
have to make room then for one more.
Not many houses give 'em $500 a year.
eh? Here, take letter" he added to
the stenographer. 'Ill get 'er round
to her tomorrow. and settle We thing up.
I guess it'll be n load off the poor
woman's mind. She'll think she's in
luck
Anna zalinsky lay upon her side In
her poor bed. Her son lay at her brea st
and her arm encircled him.
A knock at the door aroused her, and
she turned her head to see the door open
and a little woman In black cross the
threshold.
Mrs. zalinsky?" said the newcomer.
II thought so. The manager of the fac
tory where you work sent me to see
your baby"
The boy with exhibited with confident
pride.
such a baby Is It! Ma! 1t is fine such
a baby?" The question was purely rhetor-
ical. more in the nature of a challenge,
and admitted in the monther"s mind OF
no denial.
Hes fine baby certainly said the
visitor, "but I'm afraid he's going to
give you a great deal of trouble. How
can you work now and earn money for
the other children"
ma, II you must. you can do" an
swered Mrs. Zalinsky with unshaken
cheerfulness.
The woman In the plain black clothes
leaned forward. IT have come to help
you, Mrs. Zalinsky," she explained Il
am Mrs. Brown and / represent the Jew
ish Guardians. We take half orphans
as well as full orphans. you know, and
We will take your little boy. Your man.
ager asked us to do this, and although
we are very crowded we will do Il a
special favor to him. You see how for
tunate you are"
Mrs. Zainskys small, well shaped
hands took firmer hold upon her child.
You take him?''
ITO give him a good home" Mrs.
Brown smiled shade less confidently as
she looked into the mothers eyes.
But IL ] don't like to give him. you
take?"
Not II you are a good mother But
YOU must see that is il impcSsible for