The Washington herald., 1914-03-02
By ETHEL MASON EATON.


fell. IN a huddled, undignified heap upon
the floor. Some one called to the fore
woman. She In turn. quick, eficient. but
not unconcerned, summoned the porter
and together they carried the unconscious
woman into the managers ofice.
When the woman came to herself she
moved her hand uneasily along the leath-
er Of the couch she lay on. and puzzled
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 and 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-
4 feet upon the woman. She struggled to
her feet. mo. l stay" she proclaimed.
Il work" She would have contriyed
somehow to gain the door. but the man
ayers hands on her shoulders pushed her
back upon the couch, "Melne childerr'
she moaned. the terror In her eyes wrung
| from her at last in words.
What's you= Manner inquired the
manager.
''Zalinsky, Anna" said the woman
duly.
Husband Iiving?"
No" Then with an effort ''since
seven months only"
How many chiidren?' he asked.
The woman held up three fingers and
dropped her hand again quickly lest he
| should see how unsteady IL was
How much do you make here!"
Fear of the Mother.
Covert terror, the fear OF the mother
brute pursued. shot for an instant from
her eyes. Eight dollars.'' she answered
sulIenly.
The manager stood up. Now. Mrs.
Zalinsky." he said. you are going
home" The woman covered for the first
time. You are going home. and your
wages will be paid regularly every week
Take care Of your children and when
your times comes"-he was speaking
very grufiy now-'T'n send some one to
look after you"
The woman's strength surged back to
her but she doubted IL she had under
stood. She questioned brokenly.
That's what I said.'' the manager re-
peated. his hands making havoc with his
papers. Then with impatience. for she
became voluble. temperamental, beatihc.
Don't talk to me. Can't you see I'm
busy
Weeks later the forewoman was called
to the telephone: a lady, she was told.
had a message for her. What's that?
can't hear you. oh. you don't say.
Well, that's great, She told you to ask
for me? Sure. I'll tell him. Yes, Good
by" She wrote line on the memorsn-
dunn block and dispatched a boy with II
to the managers office. THE Zalinsky
kid was born this morning." she said to
n girl at work upon the machine near
est her. IT'S a boy. and Mrs zaiinsky's
doin' fine"
An hour later the manager sent for
her.
what do you suppose she'll do with
the kid"
The rorewoman offered no solution
The manager ruminsted: shed bet
ter hand him over TO the Jewish guar
dams That's the thing to do"
They're full" said the rorewoman
laconicaIly. "A friend OF mine tried 'em
last week"
The manager gave a whistle. They'll
have to make room then for one more.
Not many houses give 'em 500 a year,
eh? Here. take a letter." he added to
the stenographer. I'll get 'em round
to her tomorrow and settle the thing up.
guess it'll be a load of the poor
woman's mind. She'll think she's in
luck
Refused oFer.
Anna ZaInsky lay upon her side in |
her poor bed. Her son was at her side |
and her arm encircled him.
4 knock at the door aroused her, and |
she turned her head to see the door
cpcn and a little woman in black cross |
the threshold
Mrs. Zalinsky?" said the newcomer. |
II thought 30. The manager of the fac |
tory where you work sent me to see
your baby"
The boy was exhibited with confident
pride.
such a baby is II! Ma. Is it fine such ]
baby?" The question was purely /
rhetorical. more in the nature OF a chai-
Ienge, and admitted in the mothers mind |
CT no denial
He's a 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" answer
ed Mrs. Zalinsky with mistaken cheer
fulness.
The woman in the plain black clothes
leaned forward. II have come to help
you, Mrs Zalinsky," she explained. II
am Mrs. Brown, and I represent the
Jewish Guardians. We take half
orphans as well as full orphans. you
know, and We will take your little boy.
Your manager asked US to do this, and
although we are very crowded We will
do II as a special favor to him. You
see how fortunate you are"
Mrs. ZaIinsky's small, well-shaped
hands took firmer hold upon her child.
You take him."
To give him a good home Mrs.
Brown smiled q shade less confidently as
she looked into the mothers eyes.
But II I don't like to give him, you
take?"
mot IL you are a good mother. But
you must see that II is impossible for
you to keep him. This would make you
free to work. again."
God Not Angry at Poverty.
Mrs. Zslinsky's hands relaxed. and her