Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-14
THE WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT. SATURDAY APRIL
loving dlsclaim, "dear, deareas and best os
 Papas. You know you always did the very

Papas. You know you always did the very bestn
 50 he had John Selwyn was well known surveyor whose services were always in requ1sltlon. The eldest of large family, he had supported mother and sisters until the hrst had been called home and the latter had married. His wife had managed we'll with the residue of his income; his girls had a knack of making little go very far not often possessed by girls of 16 and IT, They had received excellent educations, but neither had displayed more than ordinary prohclency. In short, they were admirable types or the ordinary American girl, quick w1tted, generous, clever, but not too clever Mrs. Sclwyn had noted with some regret that Gertrude and Bryan were rather indifferent to what are usually termed feminine accom- plishments, although fairly well skilled in them.
 Gertrude devoted herself to her father, and openly declared her intention of becoming a surveyor, and, indeed, was an invaluable as- sistant to him. Bryan had never evinced a desire to do more than help her mother, play with the babies and kittens, and read stories But she sat very rigidly erect now, a perpen- dicular line between her brows.
 Fl tell you what it is, papa and mamma; I have an idea," running her fingers through her short curls; i've will go westp
 Bryan's ideas, when she indulged in them, weren't at all bad
 "Bnt how would that remedy thingsp'
 Glow? 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 go out there, build house on our land-think of owning a house of our own-and farm. I could raise stock, and papa might notr- Sho didn't 1ilyo fo1 hot ta,,
 "Raise stock" said the mother, "why, puss, what do you know of stock raisingg'
 Quite good deal know could pick out cattle. Why, mamma, you needn't look so distressed. Don't you think woman could do its That's because you've never heard of Middy 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 suoh rent, and if you thought you could rough it, the land is magnificent tract, and we could do very well''
 Certainly, John," she assented, Git would be in every way best. always had 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, "1 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 mean to be a first class surveyor"
 "Nonsense, child," said the father "It was very well when I was with you, but you never could get along alone, never. Besides, you've no idea of the tremendous physical endurance required"
 'Gertrude has magnificent physique, 1oh cosI M,>o 411 daughters mute appeal. 'sYou have told her repeatedly, you know, that she was nearly as good 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 calmed and strengthened by his women folks plans
 They determined to put them into execu- tion at once. "It 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 au old friend, and two or three 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 nnovation-innovations 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 it wouldn't be wise at all, 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 them?" demanded Selwyn, indignantly, even though he recollected that he himself had thought the same.
 Because they never follow any thing stead fly. No pursuit is permanent with woman; it is only makeshift till they reach matri- mony"
 ''Not with all," said Selwyn, quietly. "You should reflect little."
 ''I can't see why Miss Gertrude has chosen such profession. will bring her applica- tion before the faculty, however"
 Gertrude barely got in. "Now," she said, after they had all congratulated her, ''you must not imagine that is the end of my diff culties."
 s'The very first" ," said her mother, ''is how you can pay for boarding" Gertrude and Bryan smiled triumphantly 'sThe fact is, mamma" said the first, 'Mrs. Dallzirk adver- tised for 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.''
 It 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 aff1iction he would be more content
 When they were gone, Gertrude set reso- lutely to work She was not what is called strong minded woman, but she had thought l and read far beyond her seventeen years. She had thought a great deal of woman's work. All her life she had been obliged to 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 l kv--