By agreement, Mrs. Kimball was to give me three dollars and a half a week, instead of four, until the difference amounted to my fare from the South; after that, I was to have four dollars.  I had, however, received but little money.  In the fall, after the family came home, we had a little difficulty about my wages, and I left and came into Boston.  One of my Macon acquaintances had come North before me, and now had a position as cook in a house on Columbus Avenue.  I looked this girl up.  Then I went to a lodging-house for colored people on Kendall Street, and spent one night there.  Mrs. Kimball had refused to give me a recommendation, because she wanted me to stay with her, and thought 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.