American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-04-26
CANTON MISS, SATURDAY. April. 26, 1873.

teaching, but my father said that so lon
rs he was able TO keep a roof over on
heads, he would not be disgraced by ha,
ing daughter of his earn her livelihoo
by mental exertions. How would it be
said l, If. | could write Il boOk?' Tina
would be quite different NATTER was til
reply. Or what if would play the organ
or sing in church, That, too, | was toll
would be considered unexceptionablt
| We'll, then, petulantly exclaimed, if tn
Lord had endowed me with aptitude 70
teaching, or imagination for authorship
or talent for music, painting or sculpture
and these gifts had been fostered by edu
cation, it would be respectable to CONVEX
them into money, but it would be degrade
ton to end my present sham life in any
other way. Dear parents, let me prove thu
falsity of this theory, let me have my way
and promise you that | will win tn,
esteem, through my dignified earnestness
of all those whose good opinion is wortl
having. Besides, l will make money
enough to educate those of your daughters
who are more gifted than for such call
ings as you now deem respectable Those
of us who should be SO fortunate as to
marry well will make much better wives
for not squandering our youth in idle
frivolity'
Before long was happy in the con-
viction that l had converted my parents. /
have always found that when prejudice
blinds truly good people, there is little
difficulty in forcing the scales to fall from
their eyes, if truths are properly presented.
Our neighbOrs were considerably Mortified
when they found that my fathers daugh-
ter had become tradeswoman but / as
sumed, as a matter of course, the dignity
of my choice, thus forcing respect. 1t did
my heart good to find how many girls,
situated as had been, profited by my ex
ample and set to work. | derived such
wholesome benefit from my exertions
that l longed to go forth on crusade
against idleness, and 1 was truly happy
when l succeeded in earning money
enough to execute my plans for the girls.
My sister Rita developed talent for music
and a glorious voice, and has long since
repaid me for all that L expended upon
musical education. She has IA salary other
$500 year for singing in Il church choir,
and derives nice income besides from
teaching music. Laura, our little landscape
painter, made the acquaintance of her
Coming Man" through the sale of her
first picture. She makes most dainty
but her marriage has not
Ost her to art, for her husband is proud
IF her talents, and is constantly encourag-
ny ncT 10 new III HcT StutllO-
MOllie is a veritable little schoolmarm, is
being educated at the normal school
Liza, Addie and Helen are too young to
nave their future mapped out for them,
)ut l think the former will be a writer
me of these DAYS. Father and mother
ire delighted with the result of my cxper-
ment.
Through a friend who passed several
weeks here this summer became inter
sted in your place, and upon communi- |
ating with Mr.. Martin, was induced to |
Ian the establishment which we hope to
ave in operation next week. A lady will |
re here shortly to attend to the dress-mak-
ng department, although both it and the |
Millinery will be under my supervision.
We purpose seeking assistance among the
young girls of your town,
nd anticipate soon having Il sufficiently
force to execute any number
orders. Perhaps what | am doing may
e the commencement of an effort to i'm
rove the business interests of your town.
here is no reason why it should not be
eveloped into one Of the most flourish
lg towns in this part of the country
our situation is excellent, your water
over fine; all that you need is to concen-
ate your wealth and your energies at
ONE, countenance and support the estab-
of all industrial branches, rem
er it to the advantage of firstclass pro-
ssOrs of art, science and literature to
Ike up their abode here, in order that the
lent existing among those who cannot
ford to go abroad for culture may not
in to waste And now let me crave your
diligence for having so long occupied
'ur time. Knowing how thoroughly my
art is in my work, you may compre- ]
md why was liable to fall into the |
lpable egotism of supposing that it was
y individual self in whom you were all {
terested. In conclusion, let me hope '
at may not prove unworthy of having
ce been mistaken for Gail Hamilton" Y
As the last words were uttered, loud ap-
ause rang through the hall. Judge
den forgot his eyeglasses as he sprang
ward to shake the speaker by the hand 7
hers followed his example, and in a few !
nutes plain Annie Dodge was surround :.
by as fiattering attentions as had been !.
corded to the supposed Gail Hamilton. T
e demonstration came from the hearts :,
the people, for they We're filled with re- q, u
,ct for the earnest, unassuming woman. :,
e and all gave promises of encourage II
mt and support, and Miss Dodge went :.
* to the hotel in a very different frame .
mind from that in which she had sal L
l forth. ~
Three years have elapsed since the oc- IL
renee OF the events Just recorded, and Il,
Sc who formerly knew the town where Nv
story is located would scarcely recog-
e it now. Miss Dodgc's enterprise a
spered finely. Ladies, who had always dc
piled their wardrobe from New York h;
Boston, after one trial, ceased to de in
, anything superior to what they could hi
ain at home. Moreover they extended Il
Annie Dodge the hand of kindly pr
ndship, and many young girl in an
itened circumstances, encouraged by IN
social standing one working woman be
acquired, determined to emulate her ma
ustry. Henceforth there was univer- III
tendency to seek honorable employ do
IT. A variety of industrial establish pi
ITS sprang up, until business attained a III
v prosperous condition. Schools be- do
ONE, and opportunities for the highest tire
ure were afforded, leading TO the dis to
cry of the existence of much talent.
lay idleness is scarcely known within a {
town limits. Rich and poor alike isl
work, the former in planning home rir
rprise, the latter in executing it, while ha
ents of both classes are kept busy. on
II this is the result of one woman's eff his
}. Is it not better than fruitlcss gr,lm- in
g?-I0-Doy otI
>s-- OK,
A Novel Runaway Match. ha'
- ha
singular incident happened on the con