The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-02-22
Chapter Two

ing WIFI SW1IC TeVulSAOu VI AcCI~
ing. Had she actually answered a
newspaper personal? Yes, she had.
There stood the envelope on the
bureau. She dressed, cycling the en-
velope thoughtfully. She swallowed
few bites of breakfast with the
letter still on her mind. Who would
'.K295" be?
She had written, my Dear
Lonely: I am interested in your
personal because find it very hard
to make friends in the city. will
be glad to hear from you again.
Ann Smith. General Delivery"
Before leaving the room, she
placed the letter under the spoons
in the bureau drawer. II won't mail
IT," she said. 'I'll think about it to-
day" She went out into the SUM-
shine and walked quickly to the FL
station.
The young man from across the
way was standing on the platform.
He was reading a newspaper. Once,
turning a page, his eyes rested on
Ann and her lips curved in quick
smile. His eyes looked through her
and went back to the paper.
AS the train roared downtown,
Ann definitely decided to destroy
tho latter to KIDS. The young mans
srlIb had flattened her tiny hope
full surge. It was useless to try
impossible to make friends in Chi
cago. Discouraged, she alighted at
the Dearborn station and made her
way to Mrs. Pringle's dark, ugly,
little shop.
On Dearborn street. or on Mich
igan boulevard, AIMS appearance
would have given the impression
Of weu-groom I'd, well-tailored
smartness, almost richness. If she
explained that the soft wool of her
dress had been found on q. remnant
table in q basement bargain sale,
that the findings had come from
tho 10-cent store, that her own
hands had fashioned the garment
In short that the entire ensemble
had cost less than IS = one would
scarcely credit the story.
AIMS shoes were purchased in
q little alley shop off Randolph.
They we're rebuilt shoes of good
make. Her hats were made from
odds and ends, some new, some
discarded by Mrs. Pringle. Gloves
and hose, especially hose, cut into
AIMS budget with deadly persist
ence. She was aghast to learn,
through her budget, that she spent
$50 a year for hose.
She argued that her hair did not
require the attention of beauty OPP
orators. that she carried her lunch,
four graham crackers and an apple,
to the shop, that her teeth almost
never needed filling-and continued
to buy the fragile things. If she
had but known 1t, the appearance
Of her lovely legs paid huge divi-
dends on the investment.
To reach the shop, Ann went
through a dingy foyer and up to
the sixth floor in a changing ele-
vator. She greeted Mrs. Pringle, a
scraWny, work. worn woman with
untidy hair, and settled herself &c
work.
Sewing feather to a moss greer,
hat, she asked. will 1t go on like
this forever, Mrs. Pringle? Won't
ever meet people and make
friends?"
"It's hard to get acquainted
Ann" her employer answered. ats
more than ever hard when you're
stuck in shop like this. Now II
you worked in the dime store -
those girls have good times"
Eyes, I know, but I like this
work. I was delighted when you
gave me the job. I had hoped &c
work up"
I'D pay you more if I could. you
know that. Fifteen dollars isn't
much, a living, that's all"
Fifteen week." Ann repeated
absently. There are thousands Of
girls, and men, too, who never
make more than SIS a week. Al
first I thought 1t was a stepping
stone to better things, but I've
learned differently. The SIS jobs
are In class by themselves-they
are futureless."
1.-THE best thing to do is to be
satisfied, Ann"
The girl changed her position
restlessly. "But that's the trouble
You mustn't be satisfied. If you
are you'll stay in the SIS class
I'm not satisfied"