The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-27

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! So re had. John Selwyn was we'll known
surveyor whose services Were always in
rcQuisition The eldest Of a large family, he
| had supported mother and sisters until the
! first had been called homo and the latter had
married His wife had managed well with
( the residue Of his Income; his girls had "A
kncck of making little 50 very far not
often possessed by girls Of 10 and IL They
! had received excellent cducations, but
neither had displayed more than ordinary
proficiency Iii short, they were admirable
types Of the ordinary American girl, quick
witted, generous, clever, but not too clever
Mrs. Selwyn had noted with some regret that
Gertrude and Bryan were rather indifferent
10 what are usually termed feminine accom-
plishments, although fairly well skilled in
thcm.
Gertrude devoted herself to her father and
openly declared her intention Of becoming ii
surveyor, and. indeed, was all invaluable as
sistant to him. Bryan had never evinced a
desire 10 do more than help her mother, play
with the babies and kittens, and read stories
But she sat very rigidly erect now, perpen-
dicular line between her brows
II tell you what it Is, papa and mamma, |
have an idea" running her fingers through
her short curls; 1--WE will 90 westW
Bryan's ideas, when she INDUCED in them,
weren't at all bad
But how would that remedy thingsr
How Why it would be the best thing
possible You know, papa and mamma, that
somebody gave papa LOT Of land out IN
Texas once for debt Well, let Us 60 out
there. build house on our laDd-think OF
owning house OF our own-and farm. |
could raise stock, aud papa might not
She didn't like TO utter that terrible word.
"Raise stock" said the mother, why, pnss,
what do YOU know Of stock raising"
Quite good deal know | could pick
out cattle Why, mamma, you needn't look
50 distressed Don't you think woman
could do III That's because you've never
heard of MILDLY Morgan"
John Selwyn thrust His hand out to her.
"Your idea about the farm is capital at any
rate, Bryan. You see, Ellen, we could not
stay here, paying such rent, and If you
thought you could rough it, the land is
magnificent tract, and we could do very
we'll"
Certainly, john" she aSsented lit would
be in every way best always had a pen
chant for a country place, though suppose
country Texas Is far different from country
New England.
Gertrude looked up thoughtfully Papa"
she said, timidly, IL believe Bryan could
raise stock, us she says, and for me, want
you TO take me for an assistant. I've over
come mothers objection, and mean 10 DO a
first class surveyor"
Nonsense child said the father. 1T
was very well when | was with you, but you
never could get along alone, mover. Besides
you've no idea Of the tremendous physical
endurance required"
Gertrude has magnificent physique,
John" said Mrs. Selwyn, answering heT
daughters mute appeal ''You have told heI
repeatedly, you know, that she was nearly IA
good surveyor rs you Altogether, see
no reason-since she will persist in her desire
for refusing it"
They talked 10 the wee srna' hours that
night, and somehow John Selwyn was Won
derfully Gained and strengthened By bis
women folks plans
They determined 10 put them into execu-
ton at once ut would he better, Gertrude,
said Der father ito have regular diploma.
One years study would give you that, and 1t
would be of incalcuidble benefit 10 you l
will try to secure your admission to -"
1t required all his pleading, although Daniel
Davenport, the president, was au old friend,
and two or three Of the professors had been
his classmates.
"Of course, Sclwyn, we would do anything
for you personally, but you see this would be
an entire novation-iuuOyations should be
discouraged-it would be establishing the
precedent FOR the admission Of class whom
this college was never calculated to benefit
Pardon me, but really think il wouldn't be
wise at all, considering the inevitable conse-
quences Ia the first place. the boys would
be seriously embarrassed, and SO would Miss
Selwyn, when she found herself one woman
among 400 men. Then other women would
want to come IN, and We couldn't refuse
them
"Why should you want 10 refuse theinF
demanded Selwyn, Indignantly, even though
he recollected that he himself had thought
the same.
Because they never follow anything stead
lily No pursuit is permanent with woman
it is only a rnakeshift till they reach matri-
mony."
Not with ALL" said Selwyn, quietly
you should reflect a little"
II can't see why Miss Gertrude has chosen
such profession, | will bring her applica-
ton before the faculty, however"
Gertrude barely got in. Now, f" she said,
after they had all congratulated her, you
must not imagine that is the end Of my Diff
cultiesn
The very first, said her mother, lis how
you can pay for boarding Gertrude and
Bryan smiled triumphantly. The fact is,
mamma, " said the first, Mrs Dalkirk adver-
tised Tor housemaid. went to her, and
when she heard my story she agreed TO give
my board for my services and companion.
ship given after class hours"
1t did not require a very long time for the
Selwyns to get started for their new home
Indeed, the girls and their mother purposely
hurried their preparations when they saw
how haggard and aged father was growing
arguing that once where his mind could not
have leisure 10 brood over his affection he
would be more content
When they were gone, Gertrude set reso-
lutely TO work She was not what is called a
strong minded woman, but she had thought
and read far beyond her seventeen years.
She had thought great deal OF woman's
,,,orlr nor life Sha had ha.au C,1lioa1 4