Lurana Sheldon
For Gold or Soul? The Story of a Great Department Store
"For Gold or Soul? The Story of a Great Department Store" by Lurana Sheldon is a fiction work probably written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around the struggles of Faith Marvin, a young girl seeking work in a bustling department store, only to encounter the harsh realities and moral dilemmas that come with factory-like conditions and exploitation of employees. At the start of the novel, we meet Faith as she interviews for a position amidst a backdrop of weary clerks and oppressive management. Her initial encounter with Mr. Forbes, the store’s superintendent, illustrates the callous nature of the retail business, dismissing her pleas for employment and threatening a sick employee with dismissal. Faith's strong sense of integrity is showcased when she bravely refuses to take someone else's job and expresses her compassion for those oppressed by the system. The initial chapters also hint at larger themes of social injustice, including a glimpse at the struggles of her co-workers, who face dire circumstances, and the implications of the corrupt business practices they endure. These interactions set up the stage for an exploration of morality, humanity, and resilience in the face of adversity.