Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-28

But I don't think you ought to go
down there to-day, Mrs. Curtss?" re-
monstrated Mary.
But this is the first chance have
had to do something for the club,
Mary and I promised. Yes, 1 really
must co.
TITS so hot you'll be exhausted be-
fore you have been out ten minutes.
You know how you mind the heat
maam." Mary knew Helen pretty
well and was genuinely attached to
her. If Helen had not been so deter
mined to get out and do somthing she
might have needed Mary advice.
The heat did affect her terribly as
she expressed it, she felt like wilted
rag from the beginning of July until
the middle of September. But her de-
termination to do something in the
world had led her to take an active
part in the Current Events Club, and
this was the first opportunity that she
had had to call on woman who need
ed advice.
Helen had dressed as cooly as posi-
BILE. She wore a frilly blouse and a
white linen skirt with a plain little hat.
She wanted to be inconspicuous, but
she looked sweet and altogether smart
much more so than she imagined. she
had the address in her pocketbook, and
as near as she could make out, she
was to take the subway to Spring
street and then walk to her destln-
alton in one of the most crowded parts
of the city.
Helen knew little OF nothing about
the way people lived. OF course she
had heard indirectly of the poverty
and squalor, but she thought these
conditions were painted worse than
they were. She knew Warren would
be furious at her for taking a trip of
this kind, and after she had reached
Spring street and began to walk the
heat made her head swim.
She reached the house at last. 1t
had a stone stoop and an areaway
crowded with pals. Some children,
ter, and they stared at her curiously
as she paused. An old woman sat on
the top step against the grimy dooor
and as Helen went slowly up the steps
she moved a trifle.
Helen Asks For Information
Gould you tell me where Mrs.
Mapes lives?" Helen asked sweetly.
The woman started at her, a cum
ming look in her little eyes. "Mapes
you want Miss Mapes?" she queried.
Fourth floor back; she amt in good
humor to-day; better come back some
other time"
But 1 want to see her to-day" Hell
en- protested.
"All right, it amt nothing to me, go
on up" and the old woman shrugged
her shoulders and turned away as
though she were washing her hands Of
the entire matter.
Helen began to climb the ill-smell-
ing stairs. Rubbish was piled in heaps
on the landings, and once in a while
she caught a glimpse of family life
through half-open doors. Women
peered at her, and children came out
and stared openly Helen was like a
being from another world, but she was
determined to see the woman she had
set out to see.
The fourth floor was dark and ap-
parently deserted. Helen picked out
the door nearest the back and knock
ed. After a moment there was a shut
fle of feet and an unkempt head was
pushed out.
What do you want?" inquired a
woman's surly voice.
"I want to see you" Helen said
clearly.
We'll, I don't want to see you.
know who sent you; one Of them clubs
where everyone has plenty of money
and thinks they ought to butt in on
people who haven't so much"