Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-19

that Margaret Rogers climbed the
two flights Z stairs leading to the
third floor rear rooms which she
and her daughter occupied. She
climbed slowly. stopping or she
second floor landing to rest before
starting up the last flight.
The stairway was dark. II was
hotter than the street had been.
and the cir reeked OF a dozen fetid
odors. Margaret Rogers took nc
notice or the unpleasant smell. II
was all 50 familiar. She and Celia
had lived In these third floor quar-
ters for six years.
Before that there had been 9TH
er dreary rooms. high up IN equal
ly dilap.dated houses converted"
for housekeeping purposes. Tucked
away In her memory Celia Rogers
still retained the vision OF a diff
ferent sort Of home. cheerful with
SUNLIGHT ard flowers and bright
furniture. Celia had been such a
little girl then-not yet five. The
cheerful home had gone sran after
the night Daddy Bob failed TO come
home.
They never did bring Bob Rogers
home. The street car which struc'
him left the BODY terrifically dis
figured and unacceptable.
After that had come a succession
of rooming houses and then "furn-
isned rooms Bob Rogers had
~fn-nT As~ ~.f-7+.~ q, a 4hantnr nv
chestra. Practical considerations
such as insurance and savings &C
counts never had interested him SO
much as his lovely melodies.
So Margaret ROGERS had left her
five-year-old daughter at the school
house each morning ard gone on
to a day Of sewing. Later she had
obtained the position in the shop
fitting and stitching gowns. 1t was
~pleasanter. better paw. and It had
provided the money for Celia's
schooling.
The girl had fretted as she grew
older. noting her mothers drawn
face and tired eyes. Celia had talk
ed impetuously Of leaving school 70
work and ease the burden. Mrs
Rogers always replied firmly. Celia.
she insisted. was 10 learn a better
way to earn r living. Celia was d
have training. The high school com
mercial course seemed 70 offer the
best opportunity. Together they had
achieved this goal.
Morning. noon and night every
thing that Margaret Rogers did and
THOUGHT was for Celia. The girl
was her pride. She had contrived
frocks for her. made or the chem
est materials. but ALWAYS attractive
and becoming. BY sewing evenings
She had MANAGED household tasks
to rive Ce'ia time for her studies
More than that. MARGARET hal
ma-a~rd r. imbue the frural home
with 9 dignity which enaN'-5 her
dau~h'f~ to accept poverty without
sc,i~i ssiema.
How she had come 70 do 50 Cello
could not have exnlsined. Their
two ON we've furnished with bare
necessities. Their pleasures were
the simnlest. But Celia understood
her motha- v-as not like the loud
voiced Mrs. ~nnnnrS across the
hall. nor the complaining Mrs
Lacev. who seemed 70 stoo every
me who passed he~ second floo-
doorway n relate "Fred'sr last d.
reelection. Mrs. ROGERS was not Tx
anyone else who dweit IN the build
Inc.
II Celia had been older n miuht
have occurred to her that eve
once hal she heard her mother
speak of her girlhood. Neither had
she ver heard her mother sneak
of relatives. Surely there were Sc
crets behind that lined conntenan~a
which no one who saw her daily
guessed.
The girl stood waiting for her
mother at IRE head Of the stairs.
Tired, aren't you, honey?" she
said.
Mrs. Rogers nodded but her face
lighted rs she answered.
Il had to STAY on to finish an
order SO It could 90 ont TONIGHT.
Yes. I'm tired. My, what a day it's
beeni"
There was no marked resemb-
lance between mother and daugh-
ter. Celia was taller--fiye feet
four-and slim. Mrs. Rogers was
two inches shorter. Her hair was
dark brown instead Of the bright.
lustrous shade Of Celia's almost
chestnut locks. None Of their fea-