Evening star., 1914-12-23

genteel callin' yours is.' he says. a
feller amt ashamed to go out with
no girl from your place of business
says he. Chair seats? Third aisle to
Gee, julie, I'm glad you amt one OF
them K. MS he says. They Yes.
a'am. them's cents apiece; two?
Send EN- or take EN-? All right
Ca-shr
Mary turned away from this pane
gyric on the shop life and for two
hours or SO was very busy. 1t was
nearing Christmas time and the shop
pers were becoming thicker every
day. Then about II am. black
ness came over her vision and Mary
opened her eyes to find herself in the
store hospital. with neat nurse in
attendance.
How do you feel now. little one ?'
asked the nurse, laying a firm white
hand on Mary's head.
on, said Mary, weakly, Il hate it
all so: wish't I'd be dead instead of
just sick"
Little girl said the nurse. listen
to me. Don't ever say that again as
long as you live. Being dead wouldn't
help one bit toward better position.
When ] was salesgirl l used to feel the
same: but"
You" exclaimed Mary. Was you
ever a saleslady?"
Well" replied the nurse. II was en-
ployed as you are. to sell goods. and in
y,
woman or girl. l was he. and I
didn't like it a bit better than you do.
was getting $3.50 week and no az
tras for holiday rush, except supper
money. l lived in one room with two
other girls. and We cooked for our
selves--a scant cooking. my dear, you
may be sure. But we were determined
to live nice and be good girls if we had
to go hungry to do it, Oh. yes, little
girl. I've seen girls get tired of going
gNy11 n 1ICpT ~ -
their graves. some to worse, but l
stuck 1t out for four years--four long
years, dearie-and then one day a
woman came to my Department. nice.
buy sheets, but she stopped to talk
with ne She asked me If / liked the
work. ] told her I abhorred 1t.
why do the wild birds come to
market" I replied. They certainly
My good girl said this lady. will
YOU promise not to be offended If I tell
you of better way to live? And when
l told her to tell me she said, I have
a home of my own: have four boys
going to school. and a big house to
take care Of This is too much work
for one woman who has any other in
terest in life. so have to hire help
When she said this I began to see
what she was driving at, but I kept
so said she. I have nice. light
room for this help, warm and bright.
This help has the best of things to eat,
the same as the rest Of the household;
she works hard sometimes, to be sure,
hut she has days off to visit her
friends. and 1 pay her 81 week Now.
am in need of good girl. one who is
rot ashamed to do housework good
ness knows why she should be-, and if
you will come to ME know YOU will be
much happier than in this store
Il made q quick calculation in my
head 1t didn't take long to see the
general difference between 81 week
with board and room and $3.50 with
neither; and right then and there I
told her l was her help. I stayed with
that lady eight years. my dear: then
she broke up housekeeping. I had
money enough in the bank to put me
through the training school. and I'm
here now: not such lofty position,
my dear but an Improvement on the
$3.50 a week and nothing to show for
it in the end but broken health and
heart"
Mary. excused for the day, went out
on the street and visited an employ
ment office. That night after she had
eaten supper she said in an offha nd
way. Well ma. I've got new job"
"And what's the new job. acushla?'
cried her mother, father and two
brothers, in chorus.
I'm going to be kitchen maid" said
Mary.
well. for the love of Mixer cried
most of the family. in different keys.
y. glory in your spoonk!" cried her
father.
(THE END.)