The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-08-02
A Soul Fair
and Fine
-
By E. c. WALTZ


Copyright. 1917. by w. q. Chapman1
Mrs. Colbert sat on a stool behind
tall desk, making out such business
accounts as the keeping of lodging
house demanded. The fire in the small
office was banked against any waste of
coal. \ worn shoulder shawl was
pinned under her thin chin. AS she
| shivcred and drew this about her q
young woman entered and closed the
door.
Mrs. Colbert looked up. Never had
there come in that door such q fresh
and glowing creature, never one so
well dressed, although her clothes
We're not Of a city cut. The two wom-
en- looked mt each other n moment.
The younger actually smiled at the
clearinghouse keeper. "This is the
place to get rooms, isn't it?" she said,
in pleasant voice.
Mrs. Colbert came around from her
desk. There were two wooden chairs
behind the railing. She opened the
| gate, set out chair and turned the
stove damper. This was unusual cour-
tesy for Mother Colbert. eyes, I let
rooms," she said slowly, "but you could
do better"
"My name is Doris Forbes" said the
girl. "My folks are dead and I came
to the city to hunt work.
"Yes?" said Mrs. Colbert, question
ing her beady black eyes.
"My father was country minister"
she continued. "He died last year and
my mother has been dead long time.
| feel as If must find work."
She spread out her hands toward
the warmth with another bright look.
"Folks is poor in different ways"
began the old woman. "Don't you
really think you could do better?"
II saw your sign and I came in be-
cause YOU were woman. Have you
furnished room?''
The elder woman shrugged her
shoulders as If to say, eff you will,
you WILL" took q bunch of keys and
went upstairs.
"There are many empty rooms, too
many. Some Of my best dodgers have
been out of work so long. Here is a
room on the side street, with two win
dows, but you can't reach it unless you
go through the room Of those Italian
girls"
care they working girls?" asked
Doris soberly. because If they are
that would not be SO bad. I should
not be so lonesome and I like com.
pany."
'"They sing on the streets and in
concert halls sometimes" replied Mrs.
Colbert, with compressed lips; "they
used to go with their father, who is
dead. Blanca plays the harp. Frances
ca is younger. Today she went to the
Art league. They want to paint frsm
her.. L suppose"
She threw open the door of room,
dirty, meagerly furnished. Beyond
was another. no larger. no better.
Doris looked Mt the rusty, fireless
stove with shudder.
"There was a woman who couldn't
pay the rent lived with them. They
used to warm one stove for ALL"
When the trunk came to the place
few hours later. Mrs. Colbert went up
with it. She had been hearing curious
sounds. The new ledger had on n coun-
try girls working dress, a roaring fire
In the cracked stove and had actually
washed the windows and floor. There
was such subtle change in the room
already that Mrs. Colbert stared.
"Can you go on with coals?" she
said, basking in the welcome warmth.
Goals are so dear, you see."
I'm going to make coal somehow"
responded Doris cheerfully. "See If I
don't. know can make my own
way in the city. Do you suppose
can't find way in this great hive?"
"There's too many people," gasped
Mrs. Colbert. Doris was unpacking
her trunk. The woman sat down, un-
able to resist this excitement. TITS
death struggle from day to day, in the
winter especially"
Doris looked up gravely.
'Does 1t have to be?"
Il keep asking. I watch the people
coming. goiEg. You're the first crea-
ture Of hope, that's come in here for
many long day"
"Who was the last?"
"These girls father. He never gave
up. He was musician but got lost in
drink. There was something in him
that never died. The girls do not I'M
derstand. no more do l."
| When the Raiboldini girls, shawls
over their heads. stumbled in at dusk,
Mrs. Colbert said to them:
"There's a new ledger in your back
room. won't have Pietro or Rebo
Nanni or any other man up there,
laughing and drinking. If you do not
like 1t, Blanca, there are other places.
She is from the country and must be
respected"
Doris heard two pairs Of timid foot
steps in the outer room. She opened
the door.
ut is much too cold here. My stove
Is hot. Come, warm yourselves"
Madonna mia!" cried Blanca as
she stepped in, "what heat, what COM
fort"