Without knowing the cause, Iola noticed a chill in the social atmosphere of the store, which communicated itself to the cash-boys, and they treated her so insolently that her situation became very uncomfortable. She saw the proprietor, resigned her position, and asked for and obtained a letter of recommendation to another merchant who had advertised for a saleswoman. In applying for the place, she took the precaution to inform her employer that she was colored. It made no difference to him; but he said:-- "Don't say anything about it to the girls. They might not be willing to work with you." Iola smiled, did not promise, and accepted the situation. She entered upon her duties, and proved quite acceptable as a saleswoman. One day, during an interval in business, the girls began to talk of their respective churches, and the question was put to Iola:-- "Where do you go to church?" "I go," she replied, "to Rev. River's church, corner of Eighth and L Streets." "Oh, no; you must be mistaken. There is no church there except a colored one." "That is where I go." "Why do you go there?" "Because I liked it when I came here, and joined it." "A member of a colored church? What under heaven possessed you to do such a thing?" "Because I wished to be with my own people." Here the interrogator stopped, and looked surprised and pained, and almost instinctively moved a little farther from her. After the store was closed, the girls had an animated discussion, which resulted in the information being sent to Mr. Cohen that Iola was a colored girl, and that they protested against her being continued in his employ. Mr. Cohen yielded to the pressure, and informed Iola that her services were no longer needed. When Robert came home in the evening, he found that Iola had lost her situation, and was looking somewhat discouraged. "Well, uncle," she said, "I feel out of heart. It seems as if the prejudice pursues us through every avenue of life, and assigns us the lowest places." "That is so," replied Robert, thoughtfully. "And yet I am determined," said Iola, "to win for myself a place in the fields of labor. I have heard of a place in New England, and I mean to try for it, even if I only stay a few months." "Well, if you _will_ go, say nothing about your color." "Uncle Robert, I see no necessity for proclaiming that fact on the house-top. Yet I am resolved that nothing shall tempt me to deny it. The best blood in my veins is African blood, and I am not ashamed of it." "Hurrah for you!" exclaimed Robert, laughing heartily. As Iola wished to try the world for herself, and so be prepared for any emergency, her uncle and grandmother were content to have her go to New England. The town to which she journeyed was only a few hours' ride from the city of P----, and Robert, knowing that there is no teacher like experience, was willing that Iola should have the benefit of her teaching.