The Story of an East-Side Family

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...the grate baffled her. At last it was in place. She bought a bundle of wood from Jacob, and started her fire. Then she sat down to wait for it to burn. On the table were the dishes J;hat had done duty more than once. The bed was un made, the ashes from the stove were in part on the floor, but Mary sat quietly waiting for the fire to burn. When she looked at it the grate was empty, and the teakettle on the floor empty. Inexperience had cost Mary time and money. This was the beginning of many similar outlays. The room was not an example of neatness when Jack came home, but Jack's sense of order was not yet evolved. To him as yet shelter, a bed, food, and Mary, were in a combination that could not be improved. To Mary the next morning was delightful. It was such a luxury to sit down after the usual breakfast of bread and coffee instead of hurrying off to work! There were so many long hours before Jack would come home that she need not hurry. What should she do? Go out and look in the store windows, not to buy anything, but just to look. When she came home she would clean up. A little longer time than usual was spent in dressing up. It was jolly to be free, but it was awfully still. How she missed the clang of the machinery, the rumble of the carts! She started out radiant with the thought of change from this quiet. Perhaps she would meet some of the girls. Well, my, but ye are a lady! greeted Mary as she reached Grand street. Mary looked toward the voice, and there, bare-headed, with her dress open at the neck, a basket on one arm, and a not over-clean baby held in the other, stood a girl who had worked in the shop one season. Mary was glad to see her. There passed through her mind the vision of a girl who had gayer hats and more new dresses than a...