Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, P - Q

maker, but there was no one to give me aid. However, I went to our nearest town nearly a year ago and served in a dress-making establishment — not being able to pay for the lessons which I desired. So, never having taken the regular lessons in cutting and fitting, I barely received wages enough to pay my board — reduced board too, given by a kind-hearted old lady whom I worked for night and morning to help pay my board. Thus being so helpless and in such a strain, after a time I had to come back home. Mother then procured $10.00 worth of medicine for me, and after using it I felt somewhat improved.

But now, I shall tell you in part what my recent trouble is — in fact I could only tell it in part, for all these years,

for words fail to express it. Perhaps you may or may not have heard of those companies that have their endless chain-work carried on through agents — I suppose it would be endless if they did not always fall through as "frauds" — well, I am the victim of two such companies. One, The Amos Owen Cherry Tree Co. at Forest City, N.C., which promised their agents $20.00 per month clear of expenses, for writing 6 letters per day — that was, after the agent sent them $12.00 for 60 cherry trees. So I borrowed they money and sent my order, worked a month, paid for my own advertising, furnished stationery and stamps, except $1.00 worth which they sent here when

I first took up the work. At the expiration of a month, I sent in my report, and it was then pronounced a "fraud" and I never got one cent. In the meantime, I was also working for Mr. J. E. Smith Publisher, of Monticello, Fla., having borrowed the money and advanced $25.00 on a club for his two papers just in order to get the position. I worked for him two months and have not received any salary. Sometime ago he made an assignment. Whether I will get any compensation or not I do not know — though I learn if I get anything at all, it will not be until 4 months. This Co. was to pay me $20.00 per month also. Both these companies were highly recommended to me, had good references, and indeed some agents, did get their pay all

right, while others toward the last did not get anything at all. Consequently the bitter cry of poor girls and women is heard all over the Southland — it being chiefly the poor and dependent ones that went into this kind of work.

Sometimes I am almost crazed with grief to think of my helpless condition — owing over $40.00 with all expenses counted in, and I was to have paid this debt, all before this time, for of course I expected to receive my salary each month, and promised accordingly. I borrowed the money from people who are not able to lose it, and I am afraid that they are thinking hard of me for not paying it

before this time, although to some extent they know my circumstances. I hate to owe a debt and I hate to beg. I never have begged heretofore, but since reading of you and seeing your picture it has made such an impression on me that I am going to ask if you will please help me? If you will help me, you may be assured that there will be a swelling, grateful heart within my breast. Help in any way will be thankfully, thankfully received. I am so eager to get my debts paid and try to take a course in dressmaking or something, at which I can make my way, provided I can keep able to work. I am willing to work, yes to work at anything that is honest, but I do not know of any work I could get to do, at which I