Promised Land — The Landlady

CHAPTER XVII THE LANDLADY

From sunrise to sunset the day was long enough for many things besides school, which occupied five hours.

There was time for me to try to earn my living; or at least the rent of our tenement.

Rent was a standing trouble.

We were always behind, and the landlady was very angry; so I was particularly ambitious to earn the rent.

I had had one or two poems published since the celebrated eulogy of George Washington, but nobody had paid for my poems--yet.

I was coming to that, of course, but in the mean time I could not pay the rent with my writing.

To be sure, my acquaintance with men of letters gave me an opening.

A friend of mine introduced me to a slightly literary lady who introduced me to the editor of the "Boston Searchlight," who offered me a generous commission for subscriptions to his paper.

If our rent was three and one-half dollars per week, payable on strong demand, and the annual subscription to the "Searchlight" was one dollar, and my commission was fifty per cent, how many subscribers did I need?

How easy!

Seven subscribers a week--one a day!

Anybody could do that.

Mr. James, the editor, said so.

He said I could get two or three any afternoon between the end of school and supper.

If I worked all Saturday--my head went dizzy computing the amount of my commissions.

It would be rent and shoes and bonnets and everything for everybody.

Bright and early one Saturday morning in the fall I started out canvassing, in my hand a neatly folded copy of the "Searchlight," in my heart, faith in my lucky star and good-will towards all the world.

I began with one of the great office buildings on Tremont Street, as Mr. James had advised.

The first half-hour I lost, wandering through the corridors, reading the names on the doors.

There were so many people in the same office, how should I know, when I entered, which was Wilson & Reed, Solicitors, and which C. Jenkins Smith, Mortgages and Bonds?

I decided that it did not matter: I would call them all "Sir."

I selected a door and knocked.

After waiting some time, I knocked a little louder.

The building buzzed with noise,--swift footsteps echoed on the stone floors, snappy talk broke out with the opening of every door, bells tinkled, elevators hummed,--no wonder they did not hear me knock.

But I noticed that other people went in without knocking, so after a while I did the same.

There were several men and two women in the small, brightly lighted room.

They were all busy.

It was very confusing.

Should I say "Sir" to the roomful?

"Excuse me, sir," I began.

That was a very good beginning, I felt sure, but I must speak louder.

Lately my voice had been poor in school--gave out, sometimes, in the middle of a recitation.

I cleared my throat, but I did not repeat myself.

The back of the bald head that I had addressed revolved and presented its complement, a bald front.

"Will you--would you like--I'd like--" I stared in dismay at the bald gentleman, unable to recall a word of what I meant to say; and he stared in impatience at me.

"Well, well!"

he snapped, "What is it?

What is it?"

That reminded me.

"It's the 'Boston Searchlight,' sir.

I take sub--" "Take it away--take it away.

We're busy here."

He waved me away over his shoulder, the back of his head once more presented to me.

I stole out of the room in great confusion.

Was that the way I was going to be received?

Why, Mr. James had said nobody would hesitate to subscribe.

It was the best paper in Boston, the "Searchlight," and no business man could afford to be without it.

I must have made some blunder.

_Was_ "Mortgages and Bonds" a business?

I'd never heard of it, and very likely I had spoken to C. Jenkins Smith.

I must try again--of course I must try again.

I selected a real estate office next.

A real estate broker, I knew for certain, was a business man.

Mr. George A. Hooker must be just waiting for the "Boston Searchlight."

Mr. Hooker was indeed waiting, and he was telling "Central" about it.

"Yes, Central; waiting, waiting--What?

--Yes, yes; ring _four_--What's that?

--Since when?

--Why didn't you say so at first, then, instead of keeping me on the line--What?

--Oh, is that so?

Well, never mind this time, Central.

--I see, I see.

--All right."

I had become so absorbed in this monologue that when Mr. Hooker swung around on me in his revolving chair I was startled, feeling that I had been caught eavesdropping.

I thought he was going to rebuke me, but he only said, "What can I do for you, Miss?"

Encouraged by his forbearance, I said:-- "Would you like to subscribe to the 'Boston Searchlight,' sir?"

--"Sir" was safer, after all.

--"It's a dollar a year."

I was supposed to say that it was the best paper in Boston, etc. , but Mr. Hooker did not look interested, though he was not cross.

"No, thank you, Miss; no new papers for me.

Excuse me, I am very busy."

And he began to dictate to a stenographer.

Well, that was not so bad.

Mr. Hooker was at least polite.

I must try to make a better speech next time.

I stuck to real estate now.

O'Lair & Kennedy were both in, in my next office, and both apparently enjoying a minute of relaxation, tilted back in their chairs behind a low railing.

Said I, determined to be businesslike at last, and addressing myself to the whole firm:-- "Would you like to subscribe to the 'Boston Searchlight?'

It's a very good paper.

No business man can afford it--afford to be without it, I mean.

It's only a dollar a year."

Both men smiled at my break, and I smiled, too.

I wondered would they subscribe separately, or would they take one copy for the firm.

"The 'Boston Searchlight,'" repeated one of the partners.

"Never heard of it.

Is that the paper you have there?"

He unfolded the paper I gave him, looked over it, and handed it to his partner.

"Ever heard of the 'Searchlight,' O'Lair?

What do you think--can we afford to be without it?"

"I guess we'll make out somehow," replied Mr. O'Lair, handing me back my paper.

"But I'll buy this copy of you, Miss," he added, from second thoughts.

"And I'll go partner on the bargain," said Mr. Kennedy.

But I objected.

"This is a sample," I said; "I don't sell single papers.

I take subscriptions for the year.

It's one dollar."

"And no business man can afford it, you know."

Mr. Kennedy winked as he said it, and we all smiled again.

It would have been stupid not to see the joke.

"I'm sorry I can't sell my sample," I said, with my hand on the doorknob.

"That's all right, my dear," said Mr. Kennedy, with a gracious wave of the hand.

And his partner called after me, "Better luck next door!"

Well, I was getting on!

The people grew friendlier all the time.

But I skipped "next door"; it was "Mortgages and Bonds."

I tried "Insurance."

"The best paper in Boston, is it?"

remarked Mr. Thomas F. Dix, turning over my sample.

"And who told you that, young lady?"

"Mr. James," was my prompt reply.

"Who is Mr. James?

--The _editor_!

Oh, I see.

And do you also think the 'Searchlight' the best paper in Boston?"

"I don't know, sir.

I like the 'Herald' much better, and the 'Transcript.'

" At that Mr. Dix laughed.

"That's right," he said.

"Business is business, but you tell the truth.

One dollar, is it?

Here you are.

My name is on the door.

Good-day."

I think I spent twenty minutes copying the name and room number from the door.

I did not trust myself to read plain English.

What if I made a mistake, and the "Searchlight" went astray, and good Mr. Dix

remained unilluminated?

He had paid for the year--it would be dreadful to make a mistake.

Emboldened by my one success, I went into the next office without considering the kind of business announced on the door.

I tried brokers, lawyers, contractors, and all, just as they came around the corridor; but I copied no more addresses.

Most of the people were polite.

Some men waved me away, like C. Jenkins Smith.

Some looked impatient at first, but excused themselves politely in the end.

Almost everybody said, "We're busy here," as if they suspected I wanted them to read a whole year's issue of the "Searchlight" at once.

At last one man told me he did not think it was a nice business for a girl, going through the offices like that.

This took me aback.

I had not thought anything about the nature of the business.

I only wanted the money to pay the rent.

I wandered through miles of stone corridors, unable to see why it was not a nice business, and yet reluctant to go on with it, with the doubt in my mind.

Intent on my new problem, I walked into a messenger boy; and looking back to apologize to him, I collided softly with a cushion-shaped gentleman getting out of an elevator.

I was making up my mind to leave the building forever, when I saw an office door standing open.

It was the first open door I had come across since morning--it was past noon now--and it was a sign to me to keep on.

I

must not give up so easily.

Mr. Frederick A. Strong was alone in the office, surreptitiously picking his teeth.

He had been to lunch.

He heard me out good-naturedly.

"How much is your commission, if I may ask?"

It was the first thing he had said.

"Fifty cents, sir."

"Well, I'll tell you what I will do.

I don't care to subscribe, but here's a quarter for you."

If I did not blush, it was because it is not my habit, but all of a sudden I choked.

A lump jumped into my throat; almost the tears were in my eyes.

That man was right who said it was not nice to go through the offices.

I was taken for a beggar: a stranger offered me money for nothing.

I could not say a word.

I started to go out.

But Mr. Strong jumped up and prevented me.

"Oh, don't go like that!"

he cried.

"I didn't mean to offend you; upon my word, I didn't. I beg your pardon.

I didn't know--you see--Won't you sit down a minute to rest?

That's kind of you."

Mr. Strong was so genuinely repentant that I could not refuse him.

Besides, I felt a little weak.

I had been on my feet since morning, and had had no lunch.

I sat down, and Mr. Strong talked.

He showed me a picture of his wife and little girl, and said I must go and see them some time.

Pretty soon I was chatting, too, and I told Mr. Strong about the Latin School; and of course he asked me if I was French, the way people always did when they wanted to say that I had a foreign accent.

So we got started on Russia, and had such an interesting time that we both jumped up, surprised, when a fine young lady in a beautiful hat came in to take possession of the idle typewriter.

Mr. Strong introduced me very formally, thanked me for an interesting hour, and shook hands with me at the door.

I did not add his name to my short subscription list, but I counted it a greater triumph that I had made a friend.

It would have been seeking an anticlimax to solicit any more in the building.

I went out, into the roar of Tremont Street, and across the Common, still green and leafy.

I rested a while on a bench, debating where to go next.

It was past two by the clock on Park Street Church.

I had had a long day already, but it was too early to quit work, with only one half dollar of my own in my pocket.

It was Saturday--in the evening the landlady would come.

I must try a little longer.

I went out along Columbus Avenue, a popular route for bicyclists at that time.

The bicycle stores all along the way looked promising to me.

The people did not look so busy as in the office building: they would at least be polite.

They were not particularly rude, but they did not subscribe.

Nobody wanted the "Searchlight."

They had never heard of it--they made jokes about it--they did not want it at any price.

I began to lose faith in the paper myself.

I got tired of its name.

I

began to feel dizzy.

I stopped going into the stores.

I walked straight along, looking at nothing.

I wanted to go back, go home, but I wouldn't. I felt like doing myself spite.

I walked right along, straight as the avenue ran.

I did not know where it would lead me.

I

did not care.

Everything was horrid.

I would go right on until night.

I would get lost.

I would fall in a faint on a strange doorstep, and be found dead in the morning, and be pitied.

Wouldn't that be interesting!

The adventure might even end happily.

I

might faint at the door of a rich old man's house, who would take me in, and order his housekeeper to nurse me, just like in the story books.

In my delirium--of course I would have a fever--I would talk about the landlady, and how I had tried to earn the rent; and the old gentleman would wipe his spectacles for pity.

Then I would wake up, and ask plaintively, "Where am I?"

And when I got strong, after a delightfully long convalescence, the old gentleman would take me to Dover Street--in a carriage!

--and we would all be reunited, and laugh and cry together.

The old gentleman, of course, would engage my father as his steward, on the spot, and we would all go to live in one of his houses, with a garden around it.

I walked on and on, gleefully aware that I had not eaten since morning.

Wasn't I beginning to feel shaky?

Yes; I should certainly faint before long.

But I didn't like the houses I passed.

They did not look fit for my adventure.

I must keep up till I reached a better neighborhood.

Anybody who knows Boston knows how cheaply my adventure ended.

Columbus Avenue leads out to Roxbury Crossing.

When I saw that the houses were getting shabbier, instead of finer, my heart sank.

When I came out on the noisy, thrice-commonplace street-car centre, my spirit collapsed utterly.

I did not swoon.

I woke up from my foolish, childish dream with a shock.

I was disgusted with myself, and frightened besides.

It was evening now, and I was faint and sick in good earnest, and I did not know where I was.

I asked a starter at the transfer station the way to Dover Street, and he told me to get on a car that was just coming in.

"I'll walk," I said, "if you will please tell me the shortest way."

How could I spend five cents out of the little I had made?

But the starter discouraged me.

"You can't walk it before midnight--the way you look, my girl.

Better hop on that car before it goes."

I could not resist the temptation.

I rode home in the car, and felt like a thief when I paid the fare.

Five cents gone to pay for my folly!

I was grateful for a cold supper; thrice grateful to hear that Mrs. Hutch, the landlady, had been and gone, content with two dollars that my father had brought home.

Mrs. Hutch seldom succeeded in collecting the full amount of the rents from her tenants.

I suppose that made the bookkeeping complicated, which must have been wearing on her nerves; and hence her temper.

We lived, on Dover Street, in fear of her temper.

Saturday had a distinct quality about it, derived from the imminence of Mrs. Hutch's visit.

Of course I awoke on Saturday morning with the no-school feeling; but the grim thing that leaped to its feet and glowered down on me, while the rest of my consciousness was still yawning on its back, was the Mrs. -Hutch-is-coming-and-there's-no-rent feeling.

It is hard, if you are a young girl, full of life and inclined to be glad, to go to sleep in anxiety and awake in fear.

It is apt to interfere with the circulation of the vital ether of happiness in the young, which is damaging to the complexion of the soul.

It is bitter, when you are middle-aged and unsuccessful, to go to sleep in self-reproach and awake unexonerated.

It is likely to cause fermentation in the sweetest nature; it is certain to breed gray hairs and a premature longing for death.

It is pitiful, if you are the home-keeping mother of an impoverished family, to drop in your traces helpless at night, and awake unstrengthened in the early morning.

The haunting consciousness of rooted poverty is an improper bedfellow for a woman who still bears.

It has been known to induce physical and spiritual malformations in the babies she nurses.

It did require strength to lift the burden of life, in the gray morning, on Dover Street; especially on Saturday morning.

Perhaps my mother's pack was the heaviest to lift.

To the man of the house, poverty is a bulky dragon with gripping talons and a poisonous breath;

but he bellows in the open, and it is possible to give him knightly battle, with the full swing of the angry arm that cuts to the enemy's vitals.

To the housewife, want is an insidious myriapod creature that crawls in the dark, mates with its own offspring, breeds all the year round, persists like leprosy.

The woman has an endless, inglorious struggle with the pest; her triumphs are too petty for applause, her failures too mean for notice.

Care, to the man, is a hound to be kept in leash and mastered.

To the woman, care is a secret parasite that infects the blood.

Mrs. Hutch, of course, was only one symptom of the disease of poverty, but there were times when she seemed to me the sharpest tooth of the gnawing canker.

Surely as sorrow trails behind sin, Saturday evening brought Mrs. Hutch.

The landlady did not trail.

Her movements were anything but impassive.

She climbed the stairs with determination and landed at the top with emphasis.

Her knock on the door was clear sharp, unfaltering; it was impossible to pretend not to hear it.

Her "Good-evening" announced business; her manner of taking a chair suggested the throwing-down of the gauntlet.

Invariably she asked for my father, calling him Mr. Anton, and refusing to be corrected; almost invariably he was not at home--was out looking for work.

Had he left her the rent?

My mother's gentle "No, ma'am" was the signal for the storm.

I do not want to repeat what Mrs. Hutch said.

It would be hard on her, and hard on me.

She grew red in the face; her voice grew shriller with every word.

My poor mother hung her head where she stood; the children stared from their corners; the frightened baby cried.

The angry landlady rehearsed our sins like a prophet foretelling doom.

We owed so many weeks' rent; we were too lazy to work; we never intended to pay; we lived on others; we deserved to be put out without warning.

She reproached my mother for having too many children; she blamed us all for coming to America.

She enumerated her losses through nonpayment of her rents; told us that she did not collect the amount of her taxes; showed us how our irregularities were driving a poor widow to ruin.

My mother did not attempt to excuse herself, but when Mrs. Hutch began to rail against my absent father, she tried to put in a word in his defence.

The landlady grew all the shriller at that, and silenced my mother impatiently.

Sometimes she addressed herself to me.

I always stood by, if I was at home, to give my mother the moral support of my dumb sympathy.

I understood that Mrs. Hutch had a special grudge against me, because I did not go to work as a cash girl and earn three dollars a week.

I wanted to explain to her how I was preparing myself for a great career, and I was ready to promise her the payment of the arrears as soon as I began to get rich.

But the landlady would not let me put in a word.

And I was sorry for her, because she seemed to be having such a bad time.

At last Mrs. Hutch got up to leave, marching out as determinedly as she had marched in.

At the door she turned, in undiminished wrath, to shoot her parting dart:-- "And if Mr. Anton does not bring me the rent on Monday, I will serve notice of eviction on Tuesday, without fail."

We breathed when she was gone.

My mother wiped away a few tears, and went to the baby, crying in the windowless, air-tight room.

I was the first to speak.

"Isn't she queer, mamma!"

I said.

"She never remembers how to say our name.

She insists on saying _Anton--Anton_.

Celia, say _Anton_."

And I made the baby laugh by imitating the landlady, who had made her cry.

But when I went to my little room I did not mock Mrs. Hutch.

I thought about her, thought long and hard, and to a purpose.

I decided that she must hear me out once.

She must understand about my plans, my future, my good intentions.

It was too irrational to go on like this, we living in fear of her, she in distrust of us.

If Mrs. Hutch would only trust me, and the tax collectors would trust her, we could all live happily forever.

I was the more certain that my argument would prevail with the landlady, if only I could make her listen, because I understood her point of view.

I even sympathized with her.