South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-25

Helen took the envelope and drew
cut worn sheet OF paper. written in
faded ink. IL was dated 1905-eight
years ago.
Anna Flanagan has been in my
| employ as cook for the past four
months. She is a good cook, honest.
willing and sober.
Mrs. w. G.. Roberts"
But this is some time ago" VEN
turet Helen. Where have you been
working since? Haven't you any lat
er references? p"
Her answers TO this were somewhat
vague, but she assured Helen that she
could do any kind of work or cook
| ing.
I'm sure 1 can suit you, miss. If
youll just try me for a month"
Helen wanted 10 dismiss this poor
old woman without telling her that
she was too old ana that her breath
was strong Of whiskey.
We'll. l have your address-and 1
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 Refunded.
Il have several others to see before
L can engage anyone" Helen's tone
was more decided, Now here's your
carefare"
But old. shabby, destitute as she
was, she hesitated to take it.
ooh, no, ma'am, YOU needn't give
me carefare. I'm staying only about
III blocks from here-I walked
down"
Helen insisted on her taking the
dime and with a Thank you ma'am"
she put it carefully in a little worn
purse.
As she went out Helen looked after
| hope TO get a position as general
hOuseWorker? She was too old and
| too shabby. Yet her advertisement
had read. Competent middle-aged
woman wants place as cook or gem
eral housewOrker."
No doubt she had been competent
eight years ago, but her breath and
her shaking hands cried aloud of her
incompetency now. Those eight years
as she grew older and her chances
| of work grew less, had driven her 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 a mo-
mentary alcoholic fOrgetfulness
The dOorbell rang again and Helen
felt relieved when she saw that her
/ sympathies would not be narrowed
by the woman who now ettered.
She was about 80, a foreigner,
fairly well dressed, and most as
| sertive. Her keen glance quickly
took in Helen and the apartment. Not
waiting to be questioned, she prompt
! ly began to do the questioning her
self
| 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 a superior smile and foreign ac-
cent. Here are my references"
The references spoke Of her as an
educated, capable woman, but Helen
noticed that she had remained in
none of the places longer than three
months. However capable, evidently
three months Of this young woman's
/ assertiveness had been all that any
! one could stand.
do YOU speak French or Ger
man 20 she asked abruptly, as Helen
returned the letters. No? that is too
/ bad, for 1 speak both French and
German better than | do English. !
speak also some Italian"
/ But I am not looking for linguist
but for a good plain cook"
Helen's sarcasm was quite lost on
( this young woman, who lOftily in
formed her that in Germany she had
taken a thorough course in domestic
science.
Helen Amazed.
But I could not come for S25," she
announced, as though the decision
/ rested wholly with her. They give
me $50 where / am now
With difficulty Helen RETAINED from
saying what she did think.
We'll. 1 Will consider it," conde-
/ sCendingly. Since the family is SO
small and no washing might try
/ it, I Will let you know next week"
Helen gasped.
y ill have to ask you for my care
fare" as she rose TO go. THAT IS
customary. is 1t not?"
II had never occurred to Helen to
offer this superior person carefare.
She had simply not thought of it.
But now she fastened for her purse.
Thank you. good morning.
When the door closed Helen gave
way TO her suppressed laughter, for
/ her sense of humor was stronger than
I her indignation. But if this woman
I should condescend TO come? Then
! Warren would have To handle the
/ situation for Helen felt she wO' Id not
J be equal to it.
/ She had answered four advertise
meuts in yesterdays paper. writing
them all 10 call before three. AS il
was now half past, the other two were
probably not coming.
/ With an anxious frown she took
/ up the mornings paper. Under the
! Situations Wanted" just one adver-
/ tisement held possibilities.
Good German girl wants general
/ homework in small family clean,
willing and good worker. No. -
/ West Sth ST. (Ring Kraus BeIl.)"
Helen had never gone out TO look
\ for a girl this way. She had always
written them 10 call on her. But
now. as she hurriedly dressed for the
/ street. she decided Il would save time
and she could judge something Of
/ the girls neatness and character
/ from the place in which she lived
Eighth SIT. was swarmiug with
I children. y bakery shop with some
Z