Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Sa MY QUEEN. spector, and, by keeping her:eyes and ears open, help to root out a good many evils.” “You would have to visit all sorts of vilé places,” said the man, glancing at Marion. “You would have to meet with ignorant, vicious persons, who are grinding the very blood out of the bodies of their human slaves, and your whole work would consist of fer- reting out evil.” “It is awful, yet it is interesting,” said Marion, soberly; “but if these evils exist, why should I fear to face them ?”’ “You would have to watch for overcrowd- ing in workshops and living rooms—see that children under the legal age were not em- ployed at machines, and, above all, keep an eye out for the sick and suffering, for fear that they may be spreading contagion among 99 us. : The fair young girl did not flinch at this dreadful picture, but her cheeks flushed a lit- tle redder, and her eyes flashed, as she an- swered: “T'll do it!” she exclaimed; “and, oh, if I could only multiply myself into a dozen!” What a pity that so many men and women shut their eyes to these things and fritter away their lives as butterflies of society!” A few girl’s decision, and then, with Mr. Landale instructions followed the young and Dr. Brookes as escorts, the three made a tour of the building. As they climbed the stairs up to the sixth story, Marion noticed a continual whirring of sewing machines, and in the hallways they squeezed past poor, pale-faced young girls, whose frail arms were fairly piled up with pieces of silk and satin. occupied almost entirely Vir. Landale;: “ond it is one of the best places in the city. “This building ts by necktie contractors, ” said The firm (>1) this Hoor treats its employees far better than the average “Why don’t they open the doors and win- The place is stifling,’’ gasped Ma- 4 dows? rion, “Why, the wind might blow their silks about, and minutes are precious here,” said _ the man, laughing; “no time to be chasing — refractory goods. Time is much more-valu- able than human comfort.” “Why, the window panes are all painted,” — whispered Marion again. : y 4 “So the employees won’t look out,” ex- — plained the doctor, dryly. “It’s as the Su- perintendent of Inspectors says—‘time only is valuable.’ ” : A few minutes later the tour was com-. pleted, and Marion was glad to rest in the | superintendent's office. As they sat and talked two people came — in. One was a shrewd-faced office boy, and the other was a woman. ma “One of our inspectors,” said Mr. Landale, calling the woman up to them. | An introduction followed, and then a few words of explanation. al “Miss Marlowe wishes to help us,” he said in a kindly way; “but she does not care to bother with the Civil Service. Of course, she will not interfere with the regular work, for in reality she is acting as Dr. Brookes’ as- sistant, and merely intends to look out for the suffering ones and supply them with a — physician’s care, if they need it.” | The woman, whom he introduced as Miss French, looked Marion over keenly, but her | greeting was apparently kind and cordial. “She can accompany me on my regular trips at any time,” she said, coldly; “but [7 fancy the work will not be much to her lik-— ine. “Tt will not be a picnic, as the boys say,” ~ laughed Mr. Landale; “still, Miss Marlowe | seems determined to make herself useful.” “Tam, indeed,” said Marion, with a serious — smile: “and T quite envy Miss French her opporttinity to do good. Tt must be lovely _ cComicbooks com