Chapter I .
THE MAGNET ATTRACTING -- AMID FORCES When boarded for , total outfit consisted of a small trunk , a cheap imitation alligator-skin satchel , a small lunch in a paper box , and a yellow leather snap purse , containing ticket , a scrap of paper with 's address in , and four dollars in money .
It was in August , 1889 .
was eighteen years of age , bright , timid , and full of the illusions of ignorance and youth .
Whatever touch of regret at parting characterised thoughts , it was certainly not for advantages now being given up .
A gush of tears at 's farewell kiss , a touch in throat when clacked by , a pathetic sigh as the familiar green environs of passed in review , and the threads which bound so lightly to girlhood and were irretrievably broken .
To be sure there was always , where one might descend and return .
There was , bound more closely by .
was not so very far away , even once was in .
What , pray , is a few hours -- a few hundred miles ?
looked at the little slip bearing 's address and wondered .
gazed at , now passing in swift review , until swifter thoughts replaced its impression with vague conjectures of what might be .
When leaves at eighteen , does one of two things .
Either falls into saving hands and becomes better , or rapidly assumes the cosmopolitan standard of virtue and becomes worse .
Of an intermediate balance , under the circumstances , there is no possibility .
has cunning wiles , no less than the infinitely smaller and more human tempter .
There are large forces which allure with all the soulfulness of expression possible in .
The gleam of a thousand lights is often as effective as the persuasive light in a wooing and fascinating eye .
Half the undoing of the unsophisticated and natural mind is accomplished by forces wholly superhuman .
A blare of sound , a roar of life , a vast array of human hives , appeal to the astonished senses in equivocal terms .
Without at hand to whisper cautious interpretations , what falsehoods may not these things breathe into the unguarded ear !
Unrecognised for what they are , their beauty , like music , too often relaxes , then weakens , then perverts the simpler human perceptions .
, or , as had been half affectionately termed by , was possessed of a mind rudimentary in its power of observation and analysis .
Self-interest with was high , but not strong .
It was , nevertheless , guiding characteristic .
Warm with the fancies of youth , pretty with the insipid prettiness of the formative period , possessed of a figure promising eventual shapeliness and an eye alight with certain native intelligence , was a fair example of -- removed from .
Books were beyond interest -- knowledge a sealed book .
In the intuitive graces was still crude .
could scarcely toss head gracefully .
hands were almost ineffectual .
The feet , though small , were set flatly .
And yet was interested in charms , quick to understand the keener pleasures of life , ambitious to gain in material things .
was , venturing to reconnoitre and dreaming wild dreams of some vague , far-off supremacy , which should make prey and subject -- the proper penitent , grovelling at 's slipper .
“ , ” said a voice in ear , “ is . ”
“ Is ? ”
answered nervously .
was just pulling out of .
For some time had been conscious of behind .
felt observing mass of hair .
had been fidgetting , and with natural intuition felt a certain interest growing in that quarter .
maidenly reserve , and a certain sense of what was conventional under the circumstances , called to forestall and deny this familiarity , but the daring and magnetism of , born of past experiences and triumphs , prevailed .
answered .
leaned forward to put elbows upon the back of seat and proceeded to make volubly agreeable .
“ Yes , is for .
are swell .
are not familiar with , are ? ”
“ Oh , yes , am , ” answered .
“ That is , live at .
have never been through , though . ”
“ And so this is first visit to , ” observed .
All the time was conscious of certain features out of the side of eye .
Flush , colourful cheeks , a light moustache , a grey fedora hat .
now turned and looked upon in full , the instincts of self-protection and coquetry mingling confusedly in brain .
“ did n't say that , ” said .
“ Oh , ” answered , in a very pleasing way and with an assumed air of mistake , “ thought did . ”
Here was a type of for -- a class which at that time was first being dubbed by the slang of the day “ drummers . ”
came within the meaning of a still newer term , which had sprung into general use among in 1880 , and which concisely expressed the thought of one whose dress or manners are calculated to elicit the admiration of --
suit was of a striped and crossed pattern of brown wool , new at that time , but since become familiar as a business suit .
The low crotch of the vest revealed a stiff shirt bosom of white and pink stripes .
From coat sleeves protruded a pair of linen cuffs of the same pattern , fastened with large , gold plate buttons , set with the common yellow agates known as “ cat 's - eyes . ”
fingers bore several rings -- one , the ever-enduring heavy seal -- and from vest dangled a neat gold watch chain , from which was suspended the secret insignia of .
The whole suit was rather tight-fitting , and was finished off with heavy-soled tan shoes , highly polished , and the grey fedora hat .
was , for the order of intellect represented , attractive , and whatever had to recommend , may be sure was not lost upon , in this , first glance .
Lest should permanently pass , let put down some of the most striking characteristics of most successful manner and method .
Good clothes , of course , were the first essential , the things without which was nothing .
A strong physical nature , actuated by a keen desire for the feminine , was the next .
A mind free of any consideration of the problems or forces of and actuated not by greed , but an insatiable love of variable pleasure .
method was always simple .
Its principal element was daring , backed , of course , by an intense desire and admiration for the sex .
Let meet with once and would approach with an air of kindly familiarity , not unmixed with pleading , which would result in most cases in a tolerant acceptance .
If showed any tendency to coquetry would be apt to straighten tie , or if “ took up ” with at all , to call by first name .
If visited it was to lounge familiarly over the counter and ask some leading questions .
In more exclusive circles , on or in , went slower .
If appeared was all attention -- to pass the compliments of the day , to lead the way to , carrying grip , or , failing that , to take a seat next with the hope of being able to court to destination .
Pillows , books , a footstool , the shade lowered ; all these figured in the things which could do .
If , when reached destination did not alight and attend baggage for , it was because , in own estimation , had signally failed .
should some day write the complete philosophy of clothes .
No matter how young , it is one of the things wholly comprehends .
There is an indescribably faint line in the matter of 's apparel which somehow divides for and .
Once has passed this faint line on the way downward will get no glance from .
There is another line at which the dress of will cause to study own .
This line now marked for .
became conscious of an inequality .
own plain blue dress , with its black cotton tape trimmings , now seemed to shabby .
felt the worn state of shoes .
“ Let 's see , ” went on , “ know in .
and . ”
“ Oh , do ? ”
interrupted , aroused by memories of longings show windows had cost .
At last had a clew to interest , and followed it deftly .
In a few minutes had come about into seat .
talked of sales of clothing , travels , , and the amusements of .
“ If are going , will enjoy immensely .
Have ? ”
“ am going to visit , ” explained .
“ want to see , ” said , “ and .
are putting up .
's a second -- great .
So much to see -- , , -- oh , 'll like that . ”
There was a little ache in fancy of all described .
insignificance in the presence of so much magnificence faintly affected .
realised that hers was not to be a round of pleasure , and yet there was something promising in all the material prospect set forth .
There was something satisfactory in the attention of with good clothes .
could not help smiling as told of .
was not silly , and yet attention of this sort had its weight .