West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-08-02

Nv, MOllles exclaimed her mother,
reprovingly.
Little daughter, do you suppose, poor
as l am, that l want you TO do boys
work." said her father.
But wilful Mollie was not TO be re-
pressed by such an argument she pleaded
for her pet idea-which, truth 10 tell.
she had been revolving in her busy little
head for some time--until her parents
finally agreed that she should take upon
her the Office of errand girl as soon as
vacation time came. During the inter
vening months she must work industri-
ously at her books; rather a disappoint-
ment to Molly, who had hoped for a
more speedy delivery from her irksome
tasks. You see, Mollie was not book
heroine; though bsight and energetic,
she was as wilful as her own curly locks,
which no comb could reduce to order,
and IN her young days she hated every
book, save the one great volume nature
spreads before us, with every changing
season. But she hal tenacity Of pur-
pose few girls possess; the work she
wished$o enter upon was but the first
step toward final purpose, so she went
back TO her books with renewed deter
mination, until her parents congratulated
themselves with the mistaken idea that
she had forgotten all about her odd fancy.
But she had not forgotten it, and she
came dancing in after school, on the clos
ing day, with an air of exuberant gaiety
which her mother could easily account
for.
"Please, ma'am, will you give the err
rand boy jumble," she began, giving
her mother an energetic hug as she spoke.
"I'm glad you are happy, child,n said
Mrs. Ramsden, rather seriously, "but
what do you suppose the other girls will
think of your fancyg"
"Why, Of course they all think it's
nice for me TO help father" responded
Mollie, unconcernedly, call except Belle,
and she doesn't count, cause she thinks
everything is unladyli<e except sitting
around in fine clothes and doing art
needlework."
"Well, it's a queer way to spend your
vacation, child" said her mother, ''but
you'll make up for it by working extra
hard at your books when schools begins
again"
Mollie smiled to herself, for she had
decided in her own mind that her re-
lease from school would be final, but she
did not contradict her mother. And as
time passed on, people became accus-
toned 10 the sight of a bright. faced
girl with ma of rampant brown hair.
spTinging in and out of a delivery wagon
with business-like agility, or taking or
ders relative TO eggs and butter with
grave attention worthy of an expert
enced commission merchant. Mollie was
wonderfully improved, everybody said :;
she had lost her boyish angularity of
manner, and she actually displayed some
interest in books, to her mothers great
astonish nent. And she was so bright
and helpful, so full Of ideas and enthusi.
asm, that even dignifed Belle. whose
ambitions began to tend toward that in
definite Woman's Sphere which is al
ways written in capitals, invited her to
one OF her own particular luncheons.
But as Mr.. Ramsden's prosperity in
creased, so that hired help became a me-
cessity and n right, Mollie was seized
with the fear that she might, after all,
be shorn of her dignity as business
woman, and brought back to her old
prospects, a scholar nova teacher in
the future. She had not by any means
given up her original pro .ect-she gazed
into the florists window as much as
ever, and she had managed to strike up
an acquaintance with the big, good
natured proprietor OF that enchanting
ceived the news Of her retirement from
active business, and was told ten
derry, it is true-that she must prepare
for school again, she took the informa-
tion very quietly, and asked leave to
go out for walk. Her request granted,
she trotted down street, until she came
to the fascinating window, gay now
with big roses and starry narcissus. She
stood looking at the flowers for a min
ute or two, trying to regain her futter-
ing breath; then walked boldly in 10
where stout Mr.. Colby stood punching
buds and blossoms into dinner favOrs.
"'Well Miss Flora, have yon come to
help us aiODg2" asked the florist, with a
paternal smile.
"Ob, / wish I could I" her carefully
prepared speech slipping entirely out Of
her mind, as such things have an ex-
asperating habit OF doing. ''Mr Colby,
do you-don't you want girl to sweep
upand stem flowers aud do little things
in the greenhouse"
''Well, / don't know about wanting
any girl, " answered Mr.. Colby, with a
comfortable cbuckle, "but / think /
want you. I've been watching you for
year past, and like the way you skip
in and out of the wagon. You look like
business, and you seem fond of our line,
80 I'm ready enoughto try You. Though
guess folks will think It queer at first,
for there isn't another florist in town
who employs girls"
"Ob, Mr.. COLBY If I don't work and
do my best"- and here Molly choked
down some hysterical tears. and turned
a deep crimson with her mingled feel
ings.
'Well, you just talk it over with
I your folks, and If they're willing, why.
+ I guess they know I'd do tho fair thing
/ by YOU" responded the stout florist. az
I he impaied a poor rose with piece OF
/ wire 30 as to twist the stem the way il
I didn't want 20 20.
MOllie renewed her thanks, and then.
I after a brief survey Of the sunshiny
/ greenhouses, which she already looked
upon with the calmly critical eye Of q
T. professional, she started home, enriched
by little nosegay Of Roman hyaoinths
and Marie Louise violets.
That evening the.o was lengthy dis
cussion in the Ramsdcn household. PoOi
I Mrs. Ramsden, she wanted to drill Molli,
into n prim little school ma'am, and her,
was her perverse duckling taking TO tn,
water In spite Of maternal wishes Al
for the father, he saw where Molllo'i
talents. as we'll as inclinations lay. ano
. .F Il Al