Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-01-11
Fitting Herself In.
BY SYDNEY DAYRE.

"Well, there's one thing certain,
said Alice Barnes, 'I'm not likely tt
get much unless l get it for myself
And there's another thing very ANGER
tain, and that is, how I'm to do it. I've
thought and thought about it and the
more [ think, don't see my way. AL
the wise folks nowadays are writing
and talking about girls doing for them
selves. They say, find out what you
can do best, and then do it.
"But l can't do anything best-that
is, any of the things that people can
make living at. | can't teach and l
can't write stories, nor do astonishing
fancy-work. can only do the COM
mon, everyday things; and father
wouldn't let me go away from home to
do these, even if l wanted to, which l
don't"
Alice was situated exactly as a great
many young girls find themselves. The
oldest girl in a large family with a
slender income, she had picked up a
moderate amount Of schooling and had
done plenty of work. She could play
a little, paint a little, and sew and cook
a great deal, The younger children,
for whom she had given willing service,
were now growing old enough to as
sumo their own shares of the household
burdens and Alice began to find time
to think Of things which she wanted,
and things which she would like to do
if only she knew how.
81 want more books and | want more
clothes; and father has enough to do
without my looking to him. Oh, dear
l wish [ had been brought up to some
thing regular to do; but how could I
be ?"
With tender thought of the toll
worn mother, whose right hand she had
been all through these years of strug-
gle, she took up monthly magazine
which had strayed into her way.
"Arolnsd the Fjreside This is just
the kind Of thing I'd like to take.
It's full Of good talk about girls help
ing themselves; and, ten to one, before
the year was out, | might get some
suggestions that would show me a way.
But couldn't afford it any more than
could fly"
In turning over the advertising
pages, her eyes fell upon the terms for
subscription.
And one to the getter-up of the
club There, now, l might try that.
| could do any amount Of walking
about and talking. Five subscriptions
and then I should have it. It's no
harm in trying, anyway"
To think and to act meant one with
Alice; and it was not long before she
was entering the house of one of her
neighbors in the little rambling country
town.
"May | come in?" she asked, paus-
ing at the door.
"Oh, dear, yes, of course you can,
Miss Alice, if you'll only excuse the
mess I'm in. | set aside all my other
work to-day to see if | couldn't fix over
the children's last summer hats-milli-
merry costs so much, you know, when
there's four of 'em, and myself, too,
though everybody knows / don't spend
much on myself But the girls is gettin'
little fussy since they've grown so big
and it's hard to suit 'em any more
and the same way with their dresses.
They want more fxings about 'em,
amt satisfied no more with Jane Ann
Perry's work,-that just does plain
sewing,-but thinks they ought to have
regular dressmaker AT dollar a
day Z? Now, look here at this"
With all her sympathy for Mrs.
brakes perplexities, Alice could not
help smiling at her wooden arrange
ment of ribbons and flowers.
'Let me see if | could twist that into
any better shape" she said, taking the
hat out of Mrs. brakes hands.
ooh, you're so good, Miss Alice.
There now,-if you haven't the real
milliner touch. Some folks can do
anything they sets their hands to.
amt a bit of knack myself"
ooh, I've had to have a knack, -
said Alice, laughing. 81 have a tribe
at home to do for. Mother never had
time for such work, like you. But
don't you think some book like this
would help you on such things, Mrs
Drake? 1t gives a lot of information
about doing things at home"
BLESS your heart, Miss Alice I
never have a moment for reading, even
if | could afford the money, and
can't. But do hope you'll have good
luck. My amt you made that hat
look just like new one !"
Eyes, that looks something like,
said halfgrown girl entering the
room with look of great discomfort
on her pretty face. 81 amt going tc
| wear this dress to school any more
mother"
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Drake.
"The girls laugh at it. They say
that looping up in the back looks like
ploughed field"
Dear me | worked and fused hall