ht the lack of a recommendation would be an inducement. In the
lodging-house I made acquaintance with a colored girl, who took me to
an intelligence office. The man at the desk said he would give me a
card to take to 24 Springfield Street, on receipt of fifty cents. I
had never heard of an office of this kind, and asked a good many
questions. After being assured that my money would be returned in case
I did not accept the situation, I paid the fifty cents and started to
find the address on the card. Being ignorant of the scheme of street
numbering, I inquired of a woman whom I met, where No. 24 was. This
woman asked me if I was looking for work, and when I told her I was,
she said a friend of hers on Springfield Street wanted a servant
immediately. Of course I went with this lady, and after a conference
with the mistress of the house as to my ability, when I could begin
work, what wages I should want, etc., I was engaged as cook at three
dollars and a half a week.

From this place I proceeded to 24 Springfield Street, as directed,
hoping that I would be refused, so that I might go back to the
intelligence office and get my fifty cents. The lady at No. 24 who
wanted a servant, said she didn't think I was large and strong enough,
and guessed I wouldn't do. Then I went and got my fifty cents.

Having now obtained a situation, I sent to Mr. Kimball's for my trunk.
I remained in my new place a year and a half. At the end of that time
the family moved to Dorchester, and because I did not care to go out
there, I left their service.

From this place, I went to Narragansett Pier to work as a chambermaid
for the summer. In the fall, I came back to Boston and obtained a
situation with a family, in Berwick Park. This family afterward moved
to Jamaica Plain, and I went with them. With this family I remained
seven years. They were very kind to me, gave me two or three weeks'
vacation, without loss of pay.

In June, 1884, I went with them to their summer home in the Isles of
Shoals, as housekeeper for some guests who were coming from Paris. On
the 6th of July I received word that my sister Caroline had died in
June. This was a great blow to me. I remained with the Reeds until
they closed their summer home, but I was not able to do much work
after the news of my sister's death.

I wrote home to Georgia, to the white people who owned the house in
which Caroline had lived, asking them to take care of her boy Lawrence
until I should