The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-17
A Woman'S Story.

VIII Save you blhb BShblO
and announce here that know am unlike
the majority of women, though 1 trust you
will not find me unwomanly or masculine.
Just when this fact became first evident
to myself cannot say, am sure, as a
child l was like other children-loved TO
play just as heartily and study as little as
any of them. But when l was n little
older remember my choice of practical
studies was the source of amusement
among my companions, and l took more
delight in mathematics than l did in phil
osophy, logic or French.
Just when began to differ from my
sister May is as much of mystery, but ]
found myself taking much more interest in
listening to father telling of his business
than / did in the platitudes of the average
beau. 1t is of no consequence when or
how this change began, but it is fact
known to my mother and sister, as well as
to myself, that was not in tastes or line
of thought, at all like the rest Of the girls
of my own age and set.
The difference between May and myself
was made evident when father thought we
ought to do some of the housework, as his
business was not satisfactory, and our ex-
penses were heavy. May chose the task
of keeping the living room and parlor in
order, while / asked to be allowed to man.
age the marketing in every department.
And was as fully satisfied with my work
as May was with her dainty task in the
parlor.
suppose the butchers and grocers said
to each other, that l "was unlike other
girls" when explained to each of them
that was to do all the buying hereafter,
and that they should give no credit on
fathers account unless on written order.
suppose too, my manner of checking their
weights and measures, and watching their
prices, was "unlike other girls" but Il
saved my father, the first year l had this
position, very respectable sum, and l was
SO we'll posted at the end of the year, that
knew could do much better the next.
But when the second year was only a
month old, malignant feaver carried my
father out of this world, and changed the
life of every member of our household
Father had been the senior in the firm of
Holiday, Gay & Co., and in fact he was
the head and front of the business, which
was Wholesale dealers in notions and
fancy goods"
We were large family, seven of us chill
dren and mother; and /, Kate Holiday,
the eldest of the children, being twenty-five.
Mother had no knowledge of what my
father had in business, and we were all
surprised to find the amount was but thirty
thousand dollars.
The question was, what would we do p
eight Of us-to live on an income of thirty
thousand dollars. Mr.. Gay and Ellis were
called in to advise with me. Mr.. Gay had
been the book-keeper of the firm from its
foundation; Ellis had been partner but a
few years, and his duties were to take care
of the goods; 4" stock man." in the business
term.
After the first greetings we sat about the
stove waiting for some one to open up the
question, "what should we do?"
No one :cemed 10 want to begin, so
started the bali myself, with:
"Well, Mr. Gay, we want you to advise
us little about our future"
Really, Kate" said he, 81 hardly know
what to say, Ellis and myself find our bus
mess in a more complicated shape than il
,,looeauf to contannplafa Tho oon;foI oi
the firm to-day is but fifty thousand, dol
lars. OF this your father held thirty thou
sand, and Mr.. Ellis five thousand dollars
We lost heavily in business last year, anG
are worth but half as much as we were
three years ago. We look for good trade
this spring, however, and think and your
father thought, we shall make up this year
some of the losses"
"Why does trade look better now9" ]
asked.
Because prices were continually drop
ping the last three years, and competition
has been ruinous. Two of the competitors
have been compelled to close up, this winter
thus leaving good field open to us, anc
prices are re-acting and will undoubtedly
advance during the entire season."
We're those fathers viewsP''
"Yes, certainly; l am but quoting him
for he was the business man Of the firm. >
"What investment can we make of oul
money" asked, "that will be safe ant
pro6tablcP"
"Mr. Ellis and myself have been talking
the matter overs' said he, "and thinl