The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-02-22

dren, singing kindergarten songs: he
was at that age breasting cold world
selling newspapers. She remembered
with something like shame that she
had not even appreciated the advan-
tages she had enjoyed at college-ad-
vantages that many poor girl had
wept bitter tears or because she could
not make them the basis of earning an
honorable living and which would
have saved her from life of toll
But these thoughts served to bring
out all there was of strength in
Madges nature. Drawing down the
corners of her pretty mouth with a
grim resolution she started down the
street and on reaching residential
district rang the doorbel of the first
respectable looking house she came to.
A member of the family answered the
call.
docs the lady want maid?" asked
Madge.
''She's always wanting maid. Maids
are not plentiful nowadays"
Leaving Madge in the vestibule, the
person went inside and returned with
an invitation for the applicant to come
in and see the lady. Madge found
her in q luxurious bOudOir. She seem
ed struck by Madge's refined features.
Madam" Madge began, Il beg of
you to employ me. l have been very
unfortunate. Accused of crime of
which | am innocent. l have spent a
year in prison. | have only this morn
ing been discharged with enough
money
The horror depicted on the woman's
face was appalling to the applicant. ,
II don't need any help at present.
she said, looking hard at the door.
81 beg of you not to turn me away.
promise YOU
Leave the house at once or l will
call the police and have you put out"
Madge beat q hasty retreat.
Before making another application
she resolved to try to gain a footing
in the employers good graces before
confessing the brand upon her. She
rang several bells in succession, to be
told that no maid was wanted, one
servant who answered her call shut
ting the door in her face without a
reply.
When at last she struck q house
where a maid was wanted and was adj
mitted to the lady's presence. the in
terview was no longer than the first
one. On being asked if she had a
recommendation from the last person
she had served she was forced to ad-
NIT that she had not and was dismiss
ed at once.
1t was 10 o'clock when Madge had
left the prison. and after three hours.
going from house to house in search
of position. she became faint rather
than hungry and stepped into res
taurant of second grade that she had
once been obliged to put up with for
want of a better to get something to
strengthen her. Taking seat at a
table. waiter handed her Il menu.
but while she was looking to find the
price of a cup of tea and a roll the
proprietor stepped up to her and. with
his eyes fixed meaningly on her coarse
garb, said:
Reckon you've got into the wrong
place. There's restaurant around the
corner that would suit you better
Madge arose and left the restaurant.
Standing irresolutely on the sidewalk.
she debated what she should do. If
her experience thus far was so bitter
what would it be when her little
money with which she had provided
herself had been spent? A policeman,
seeing her standing thus forlorn. APP
preached her and asked her where she
belonged.
Nowhere" replied Madge bitterly.
II have no home"
SWELL" he replied to this. IL wish
you'd get off my beat. l wouldn't like
to run in a nice lookin' girl like you
for vagrancy. but if you keep loiterin'
about here I'll have to do So"
This capped the climax. Madge had
tried her experiment of making liv-
ing with brand upon her. and she
was quite satisfied as to the disadvan-
tages Of such a situation. She was
faint for want of food and had failed
to obtain it even in second class res
taurant. She resolved to go home for
a lunch and remain there.
Call cab" she said to the police
man.
"A cabv' was the astonished ex-
clamatiOn.
"Yes. a cab"
Madge showed him a half dollar
He whistled to a man nOdding On the
| drivers seat Of taxi. who aroused
himself and drove his conveyance to
| the curb before the vagrant When
'he entered. giving the chauffeur her
| address. the policeman looked more
| lmaZed than ever. In a few moments
abe was driven to her own door.
What" said Miss WetmOre "home
already?"
"Yes. Aunt Isabel. I'm satisfied as
10 the preliminaries. Now for the
work in hand"
Ina subsequent career of usefulness
Madge Ellison found this practical ex.
rerience as to the difficulties discharg.
ed prisoners meet on emerging again
| Ant, h.