Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-10-02
Ciara's Vocation.


~ Ciara's Vocation.
1oh dear, if there was only something | could
do to earn my own living" sighed Clara Lord
despondently, standing back as she spoke to OBJ
serve the effect Of the autumn leaves she was
arranging.
"Why Clara, that is just what was think
ing that very minute" said her sister Grace.
al have been thinking the matter over and
oyer,p Clara went on, "for so many weeks
in fact, ever since father was taken sick. Here
are four OF us women in the house, and two
would he sufficient for all the work. Father
lost so much money by the failure last Septem-
Der, that mother said we should be obliged 10
retrench, aud now since he has been sick SO
long, 1t is, of course doubly necessary. l do
feel so useless and good-for-nothing to think
caUnot even support myself, much more help
anybody else! But l tell you, Grace continued
Clara waxing eloque mt, have come to the con-
clusion that we are not TO blame for this state
Of things, so much as father and mother and
society in general.
When our brothers left school, there was con-
tinual attention and agitation of the subject;
iii they had definitely settled on some pursuit
whereby they could gain livelihood. Philip
went into bank, Henry into a store, and
Frank obtained a position IN noted law Of
flee.
People may say what they please about the
inequality Of the sexes. know that was ca.
pable when l left school of doing as much work,
and as good as Frank.
We were in the same class all through the
high school, and though Frank is two years old
er than |, always helped him in his lessons
when we studied together at home. The truth
Is, i'll do say it. could learn more readily than
he,and am perfectly convinced that If | had the
position that he has, could have done the work
as readily as he. But when our school-days
ended, II was supposed to be matter of course
that we should dwadle away Our time making
over our old dresses, practising an hour or so on
the piano, receiving and paying calls. A miser.
able, unsatisfactory life What better is the
world, | should like to know for our being IL
it,"
81 feel just 50 myself" responded Grace dole
fully, "but what better can we do | suppose
might marry Mr.. Simpson, Us Frank advise:
me TO.
Frank is always praislng him ar.er he La.
called, says he is so wealthy and generous, aud
says lie Is fine man and a good proyider. But
who wants to marry wdower with three disa
greeable children, even il he is a tiue man and a
good provide7'
"Don't you do it, Grace said Clara, will
great decision. "You had better apply for the
position of nursery maid to take care ofthe lit
lie Simpsons,and so earn honest wages than tc
marry him when you don't care for him al
ALL
81 should not think of it for minute if die
not feel such burden as it is. Frank nigh
as well say, "Fathcr has more expensive tam
lily than he can well get along with. VIII,
don't you marry and tlke yourself off hi
hands," And moth thinks IL strange don
consider Mr.. Simpson agreeable, and hopes
won't act hastily.
wonder If she married father because n
was fine man and good proyider. If coul'
only stand alone, and depend OH myself,it you'll
he a very different thing. | try and try to thin
OF some way to earn money. You know I'll
teachers always praised my compositions a
school, and few weeks ago, | wrote it'll
story, taking a world of pains with it, and
sent 1t to three publ shers successfully, but nc
body wanted It. The first did lot need all
new contributors. The second said it wa
hardlyup to their standard, but / might, pei
haps, succeed if should try again. The thir
said it was Grade and unfinished, and burne
il up in despair"
"Well, Oracle, dear, would take tho adv il
Of the second publisher, and try again. Toi
some efforts must precele finished work in e.
cry department"
Just then the doorbell rang, and Clara al
swered the summons, thereby putting an Oh
to the conversation.
Mrs. Reynolds was admitted, She was Il
great lady of Cumberland, anu had come for
call. Mrs. Lord presently appc 'red III the pa
lor TO help entertain the guest, and al anma
ed conversation was kept up during her bri
call.
Thackery hints That ladies have three unfailiI
topics Of conversation, their help.their aimen
and their children. Mrs. Reynolds hardly G
beyond the first. 1t is true, however that S
made solctous inquiries Tor Mr. Lord, wifi
elected the response that lc WAS still unable
leave his room, and that Helen, the youngt
of the three sisters was sitting with him Il
afternoon and must be excused.
MIS-. Reynolds was in trouble about her he
Her second girl Hannah, had recently prov
very dishonest, and had been dismissed. NJ
Reynolds had been vainly endeavoring for
fortnight to fill her place. che had consider
Hannah such treasure, for she was neat, Il
def and capable She had such good taste Il
She could arrange flowers for the parlor char
ingly.
Her work had not been hard Cor Bridget did
washing and almost all the ironing, and,
deed all the heavy work. She had felt 10th
part with Hannah even alter her dishone.
had been proved beyond doubt, and she Ii
given her second, yes, and third trial
spite Of Judge Reynolds objections, but thin
had continued to disappear, and Hannah |
deceived them again and again, and they we
Of course, compelled to send her away A
now somebody must be found to take her pla
Did Mrs. Lord know of anybody she col
gets'
mo" said Mrs. Lord. II know very lit
about the troubles of keeping help. You KIN
we do Our own work. There are so many
10, We prefer H." %
"ffrue," said Mrs. Reynolds. al had torg
ten il for the moment. How very fortuna
yon arc TO be able TO do without servan
Housekeeping would seem tonne PLAY il il We
no. for the trouble constantly have with I
help. How exauisitely those autumn Ira,
are arranged continued the Lady, suddeI
changing the conversation. "ls that your wo
Grace"
"Clara arranged them" said Grace. as
had lIst completed them when von came in
Then followed dl'ru,.tpn OF lie lest mode
pressing aud ptesolNip. leaves. which last
until Mis-. Reynolds took her departure
home.
All that evening Clara Lord was very silc
and Thoughtful. Her pretty fancy work rest
idly in her lap large portion of The time a,
when her sister rallied her on lpr abstractio
she said she was thinking of problem that n
was trying to solve; but their teasing fail,
TO elicit from her what the problem was.
The next afternoon Clara dressed and we
out. She went straight 10 Mrs. ReynUll
house.
~ suppose" said she, when that lady appca
ed in the parlor, "that you hardly expected
return Of your cali 50 soon. The truth is,
have come on business. You were speakir
Yesterday Of your desire to get some one to
Hannah's place. Have you surrrded yc,9'
Mrs. Reynolds face frightened. No, ha
you heard of any one yet?n
al have come" said Clara, deliberately, 1"
apply for the place myself"
"fou Clara Lord! Hannah place. | inu
be dreaming, said Mrs. Reynolds, in amaz
Inent.
"No, you are wide awake, and am in sob
earnest. Our family is large and expense,
and father Is and has been sick for long tim