Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-24

manufacture. My longing to handle he,
profuslon of rich material was so great
that while we were talking | took the work
rom her. In less than an hour | had
laShloned most stylish little bonnet
My friend was in an ecstasy of delight
ana told me that if | would only 90 into
the millinery business she would get me
all the custom | needed At once | con.
hded to her my desire for profitable occu-
patton, and the result was that she gave
several orders from her own family, with
promise OF others from her friends, pro
vlded my parents would permit me to ac-
ccpt them.
81 went home in high glee, which was
only dampened by dread of the opposi-
ton | must encounter. When | first
preached the subject the dear souls were
shocked. They would not object to my
teaching, but my father said that so long
as he was able to keep a roof over our
heads, he would not be disgraced by hay
| ing daughter of his earn her livelihood
| by mental eXertiOns. How would it be ,
said |, If ! could write "a boOk?' That
would be quite different NATTER was the
reply. Or what if would play the organ,
or sing in church?' That, too, | was told
would be considered unexceptionable.
Wen, then, | petulantly exclaimed, if the
| Lord had endowed me with aptitude for
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 convert
! them into money, but itwould be degrade
ton to end my present sham life in any
other way. Dear parents, let me prove the
ialSity OF this theory, let me have my way,
and promise you that | will win the
esteem, through my dignitied earnestness,
of all those whose good opinion is worth
having. Besides, | 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 50 fortunate as to
marry we'll will Lake much better wives
for not squandering our youth in idle
triyolity.'
Before long I was happy in the con
viction that | 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 daugl-
| ter had become a 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, prOtitcd by my cX-
ample and set TO work. | derived such
| wholesome benefit from my eXertions
that | lOnged to 90 forth on crusade
against idlencss, and | was truly happy
when | succeeded in earning money
enough to execute my plans for the girls
| My sister Rita developed talent for music
and glorious voice, and has long since
repaid me for all that | expended upon
musica. education. She has salary other
$500 year for singing in Il church choir,
! and derives a 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 a most dainty
housekecper, but her marriage has not
| lost her to art, for her husband is proud
OF her talents, and is constantly encourage
| ing her to new efforts in her studio. Sister
Nollie is veritabIe little schOOEmarm, is
being educated at the normal school.
Liza, Addie and Helen are too young to
have their future mapped out for them,
but | think the former will be writer
one of these days. Father and mother
are delighted with the result of my exper-
! iment.
! IL
| weeks here this summer, | became inter
ested in your place, and upon communi-
eating with Mr.. Martin, was induced to
plan the establishment which we hope to
| have in operation next week \ lady will
! be here shortly to attend to the drcss-mal-
| ing department, although both it and the
millinery will be under my supervision.
| We purpose seeking assistance among the
unemployed young girls Of your town,
| and anticipate soon having a sufficiently
| Well-tralned force to execute any number
OF orders Perhaps what | am doing may
| be the commencement of an effort to i'm
prove the business interests of your town.
| There IS no reason why it should not be
! developed into one Of the most flourish
ing towns in this part Of the country.
! Your situation is excellent, your water
| power fine; all that you need is to cOncer
| trate your wealth and your energies at
home, countenance and support the cstab-
| lishment Of all industrial branches, rem
der it to the advantage of iirst-class pro
| tcssors of art, science and literature 20
| take up their abode here, in order that the
talent existing among those who cannot
afford to 90 abroad for culture may not
run to waste. And now let me crave your
indulgence for having so long occupied
.f'ti t4liit. hllbN IiIS IipN tIoIouSHlN III y
heart is in my work, you may compre-
bend why was liable to fall into the
culpable egotism of supposing that it was
my individual self in whom YOU were all
interested. In conclusion, let me hope
that | may not prove unworthy of having
once been mistaken for Gail Hamilton"
AS the last words We're uttered, loud ap.
plause rang through the hall Judge
Alden forgot his eyeglasses as he sprang
forward to shake the speaker by the hand
Others followed his example, and in a few
minutes plain Annie Dodge was surround
ed by as tlatterng attentions as had been
accorded to the supposed Gail Hamilton
The demonstration came from the hearts
Of the people, for they were filled with re
speCt for the earnest, unaSsuming woman
One and all gave promises Of encourage
ment and support and Miss Dodge went
back to the hotel in "A very different frame
of mind from that in which she had sal
lied forth.
Three years have elapsed since the oc
currence of the events just recorded, anc
those who formerly knew the town where
my story is located would scarcely rccog
nize it now. Miss Dodge's enterprise
prospered finely. Ladies, who had Away:
supplied their wardrobe from New York
or Boston, after one trial, ceased to de
sire anything superior to what they coul(
obtain at home. Moreover, they extended
to Annie Dodge the hand of kindly
friendship, and many young girl il