The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-04-25
MARGARET AND JANE

1t was with a sigh of relief that
Margaret Lane hurried out Of the big
department store as the last bell
sounded. She had spent most try
ing day behind the counter. Her
head had ached persistently since
the morning, and the thousand and
one queries and demands of the bar
gain hunters had so grated on her
nerves that she found herself more
than once answering a shopper far
from politely.
AS she hurried along the brightly
lighted streets, she felt somewhat re-
freshed by the cool evening air, but
there was still quicker in her fair
brow when she pushed open the door
of the little apartment shared with
her friend, Jane Leslie, who was en-
ployed as bookkeeper by large law
firm.
Jane was putting the finishing
touches to a little tea table drawn
up before the CHEEKY CRATE, when her
friend entered the room. "Just in
time for hot biscuits, Maggie" she ex-
claimed cheerily "But why that for
bidding countenance, if / may ask?"
she added with mock solemnity, not
ing the scowl on her friends usually
placid face.
Margaret jerked out her hatpins
savagely. "Well, if you'd had split
ting headache all day." she growled,
ito say nothing of putting up with
exasperating customers, you'd look
like thunder-cloud, too. Here is an
instance of what I had to contend
with. This morning that snobbish
Mrs. Carter came prancing up to the
counter, and asked me to show her
some dress goods. Well, after I'D
taken down about everything on the
shelves she finally found something
that just suited her, and had me cut
off enough for two gowns. A beauti-
| full fabric it was, too, and one of the
newest shades. Just as 1 was max
ing out my sales-slip and congratulate
ing myself on my good luck-for it
was the only decent sale had made
10 and behold, up the aisle marched
negro woman decked out in dress
of the very same material as Mrs.
Carter had just bought. Well, she
stared at the vision before her, and
then turned and glared at me as if
had struck her. Then she burst forth:
Great Heavens, don't give me that
goods! I don't want it! I wouldn't
have it," and away she stalked while
in vain 1 called after her that I could
show her something just as desirable
1t was no use. My sale was all off. y
Jane laughed heartily at her
friends discontinue, and Margaret
seeing the righteousness of the situa,
ton laughed, too.
well, let us eat the biscuits be-
fore they are stone cold, and try to
forget the cantankerous customers
and the sales you didn't make coun
seled Jane as she proceeded to pour
the steaming, fragrant tea.
Jane, you are jewel to get UP
such a supper to feed a grouchy crit
ter like me, and I'll take back those
unjust remarks made a while ago,
said Margaret as she helped herself
Ito the beefsteak.
Il heard no such remarks" return
ed Jane, perhaps twas because was
hypnotized by that look on your face
when you came in
well, don't you know I declared
that you would have f1ared up, anC
shown your high-strung temperament
had you been in my position21 But
know better, for have seen you &C
through ordeals more than once, ant
watched your department in circum
stances that would strain the patience
of Job to the breaking point, ant
you've never been anything but swee
and gracious. I feel ashamed of my
self, really"
well, honey" said the older girl
'if we Catholics, who have our deal
Lord living right in our midst-asso
ciating with us, I might say-fol
think of the many times we are in hi
presence at Mass and Holy Com
munion-if we shouldn't be patien
: and sweet, and show his influence il
our lives, who on earth should?"
you certainly make your faitl
shine forth in your life, jamie, ant
I wish I were more like you,' an
swered Margaret. Perhaps if be
longed to the Third Order into which
you are doing your utmost to coa'
me, might make some progress, ant
be fit for you to live with No, In
serious now" she added noting tn
smile on the elder girls face, "but
am afraid st. Francis would want t.
throw me out before I'd be in yer.
long; and that princess, too,-wha
was her name?-the one whose lif
you say I should read?"
est Elizabeth of Hungary" re
sponded Jane.
20 yes, well there is no danger,
Margaret went on, "that I'll ever b
canonized as long as / work at oil
, Stetson's department store, and Will
there are danes like Mrs. Carter run
ming loose. For / simply can't smil
when l feel like assassinating som
!. one" And Margaret shook her hea
ruefully.
NOW see here, little GIRL brok
, in Jane, don't you see the advantag
, in joining the Third Order? For 70
; will be enlisting the services Of Sain
Francis and the whole grand army c
q Franciscan saints, and they will a
! ways be on your side helping you t
: look pleasant whether YOU make sale