American library books ยป Other ยป Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser (best book clubs .TXT) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซSister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser (best book clubs .TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Theodore Dreiser



1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... 153
Go to page:
manufacturing and wholesale houses without once glancing in. At last, after several blocks of walking, she felt that this would not do, and began to look about again, though without relaxing her pace. A little way on she saw a great door which, for some reason, attracted her attention. It was ornamented by a small brass sign, and seemed to be the entrance to a vast hive of six or seven floors. โ€œPerhaps,โ€ she thought, โ€œthey may want someone,โ€ and crossed over to enter. When she came within a score of feet of the desired goal, she saw through the window a young man in a grey checked suit. That he had anything to do with the concern, she could not tell, but because he happened to be looking in her direction her weakening heart misgave her and she hurried by, too overcome with shame to enter. Over the way stood a great six-story structure, labelled Storm and King, which she viewed with rising hope. It was a wholesale dry goods concern and employed women. She could see them moving about now and then upon the upper floors. This place she decided to enter, no matter what. She crossed over and walked directly toward the entrance. As she did so, two men came out and paused in the door. A telegraph messenger in blue dashed past her and up the few steps that led to the entrance and disappeared. Several pedestrians out of the hurrying throng which filled the sidewalks passed about her as she paused, hesitating. She looked helplessly around, and then, seeing herself observed, retreated. It was too difficult a task. She could not go past them.

So severe a defeat told sadly upon her nerves. Her feet carried her mechanically forward, every foot of her progress being a satisfactory portion of a flight which she gladly made. Block after block passed by. Upon street-lamps at the various corners she read names such as Madison, Monroe, La Salle, Clark, Dearborn, State, and still she went, her feet beginning to tire upon the broad stone flagging. She was pleased in part that the streets were bright and clean. The morning sun, shining down with steadily increasing warmth, made the shady side of the streets pleasantly cool. She looked at the blue sky overhead with more realisation of its charm than had ever come to her before.

Her cowardice began to trouble her in a way. She turned back, resolving to hunt up Storm and King and enter. On the way she encountered a great wholesale shoe company, through the broad plate windows of which she saw an enclosed executive department, hidden by frosted glass. Without this enclosure, but just within the street entrance, sat a grey-haired gentleman at a small table, with a large open ledger before him. She walked by this institution several times hesitating, but, finding herself unobserved, faltered past the screen door and stood humbly waiting.

โ€œWell, young lady,โ€ observed the old gentleman, looking at her somewhat kindly, โ€œwhat is it you wish?โ€

โ€œI am, that is, do youโ โ€”I mean, do you need any help?โ€ she stammered.

โ€œNot just at present,โ€ he answered smiling. โ€œNot just at present. Come in some time next week. Occasionally we need someone.โ€

She received the answer in silence and backed awkwardly out. The pleasant nature of her reception rather astonished her. She had expected that it would be more difficult, that something cold and harsh would be saidโ โ€”she knew not what. That she had not been put to shame and made to feel her unfortunate position, seemed remarkable.

Somewhat encouraged, she ventured into another large structure. It was a clothing company, and more people were in evidenceโ โ€”well-dressed men of forty and more, surrounded by brass railings.

An office boy approached her.

โ€œWho is it you wish to see?โ€ he asked.

โ€œI want to see the manager,โ€ she said.

He ran away and spoke to one of a group of three men who were conferring together. One of these came towards her.

โ€œWell?โ€ he said coldly. The greeting drove all courage from her at once.

โ€œDo you need any help?โ€ she stammered.

โ€œNo,โ€ he replied abruptly, and turned upon his heel.

She went foolishly out, the office boy deferentially swinging the door for her, and gladly sank into the obscuring crowd. It was a severe setback to her recently pleased mental state.

Now she walked quite aimlessly for a time, turning here and there, seeing one great company after another, but finding no courage to prosecute her single inquiry. High noon came, and with it hunger. She hunted out an unassuming restaurant and entered, but was disturbed to find that the prices were exorbitant for the size of her purse. A bowl of soup was all that she could afford, and, with this quickly eaten, she went out again. It restored her strength somewhat and made her moderately bold to pursue the search.

In walking a few blocks to fix upon some probable place, she again encountered the firm of Storm and King, and this time managed to get in. Some gentlemen were conferring close at hand, but took no notice of her. She was left standing, gazing nervously upon the floor. When the limit of her distress had been nearly reached, she was beckoned to by a man at one of the many desks within the nearby railing.

โ€œWho is it you wish to see?โ€ he inquired.

โ€œWhy, anyone, if you please,โ€ she answered. โ€œI am looking for something to do.โ€

โ€œOh, you want to see Mr. McManus,โ€ he returned. โ€œSit down,โ€ and he pointed to a chair against the neighbouring wall. He went on leisurely writing, until after a time a short, stout gentleman came in from the street.

โ€œMr. McManus,โ€ called the man at the desk, โ€œthis young woman wants to see you.โ€

The short gentleman turned about towards Carrie, and she arose and came forward.

โ€œWhat can I do for you, miss?โ€ he inquired, surveying her curiously.

โ€œI want to know if I can get a position,โ€ she inquired.

โ€œAs what?โ€ he asked.

โ€œNot as anything in particular,โ€ she faltered.

โ€œHave you ever had any experience

1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... 153
Go to page:

Free e-book: ยซSister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser (best book clubs .TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป   -   read online now on website american library books (americanlibrarybooks.com)

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet. You can be the first!
Add a comment