Wichita eagle., 1888-04-14

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proficiency In 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
to what are usually termed feminine accom-
plishnents, although fairly well skilled Ii
them
Gertrude devoted herself TO her father, and
openly declared her intention OF becoming
surveyor and, indeed, was an invaluable as
sistant TO him. Bryan had never evinceo
desire TO 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.
81 tell you what 1t is, papa and mamma;
have an idea running her fingers through
her short curls; I'VE will go west"
Bryan's ideas, when she INDUCED in them,
weren't at all bad
but how would that remedy thingsF
''How! Why 1t would be the best thing
possible You know, papa and mamma, that
somebody gave papa lot Of Land out IN
Texas once for debt Wei, let US go out
there, build house on our land-think of
owning a house Of our own-and farm l
could raise stock, and papa might not
She didn't like to utter that terrible word
RAISE stock said the mother, why, puSs,
what do you know of stock raisingp
Quite good deal l know l could pick
out cattle Why, mamma, you needn't look
so distressed Don't you think woman
could do iti 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 il you
thought YOU could rough it, the land Is
magnificent tract, and we could do very
well"
Certainly, John" she assented, sit would
be In every way best. l always had q pen
chant for a country place, though l suppose
country Texas is far different from country
New England"
Gertrude looked up thoughtfully. Papa"
she said, timidly, II believe Bryan could
raise stock, as she says, and for me, want
you to take me for an assistant. I've over
come mothers objection, and l mean to be
first class surveyor"
Nonsense, child,n said the father. sit
was very well when I was with you, but you
never could get along alone, never. Besides,
YOU We no lItd Ol Tue lIciucIuOlS puS
endurance required
Gertrude has a magnificent physique,
John" said Mrs Selwyn, answering her
daughters mute appeal You have told her
repeatedly, you know, that she was nearly as
good a surveyor as you Altogether, see
no reason-since she will persist in her desire
for refusing it,
They talked to the wee sma' hours. that
night, and somehow John Selwyn was won
derfully Gained and strengthened by his
women folks plans.
They determined to put them into execu-
ton at once at would be better, Gertrude"
said her father, ''to have regular diploma.
One years study would give you that, and it
would be Of incalculable benefit to you. I
will try TO secure your admission TO -"
It required all his pleading, although Daniel
Davenport, the president, was an old friend,
and two or thee of the professors had been
his classmates.
"Of course, Selwyn, we would do anything
for you personally, but you see this would be
an entire Observation-Disclosures should be
discouraged-it would be establishing the
precedent for the admission Of class whom
this college was never calculated 10 benefit.
Pardon me, but really think it wouldn't be
wise al ali, considering the inevitable conse-
quences. In 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 TO refuse therns"
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 a woman;
it is only a makeshift till they reach matri-
mony."
Not with all" said Selwyn, quietly.
''You should reflect little
81 can't see why Miss Gertrude has chosen
such profession. viii bring her epplica-
ton before the faculty, however"
Gertrude barely got in 'Now,7 she said,
after they had all congratulated her, you
must not imagine that is the end Of my diff
culties."
THE very first said her mother, sis how
you can pay for boarding Gertrude and
Bryan smiled triumphantly. The fact is,
mamma" said the first. Mrs Dalkrk adver-
tised for housemaid i 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 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 to brood over his affection he
would be more content.
When they were gone, Gertrude set reso-
lutely 70 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 a great deal of woman's
work All her life she had been obliged Co
plan out every little detail of her dress in
order TO bring it within her allowance and it
had early occurred TO her that she would not
waste her life in such petty, wearing work,
she would choose some labor which would
allow her to command an income which
would lift her and hers beyond makeshifts
and enable her to help Others She had a
strong sympathy with the great army OF
workers whose file is composed mainly Of
women, and she had long ago thought it out
TO her own satisfaction, that women worked
harder, more steadily, and for less compen-
sation than men, with the difference that
their labor was not OF the right sort
They did not display much Judgment in
selecting their vacations, or else Circum-
stances compelled them TO fit themselves into
any kind of holes. She made up her mind
that she would Try tc do something that would
raise up way for every one who might
choose 10 follow her. She and Bryan had sat
Up late at night when their mother imagined
they were fast asleep, planning out careers for
themselves. Finally, they had settled upon
surveying and stock raising. Il had been