Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1890-01-17
FITTING HERSELF IN.
How Allco by Noble EEorts Be-
came S0If-SupportinE.

came Solf-Supporting.
"Well, there's ono thing certain"
said Alice Barnes, Sim not likely to
get much unless l get II for myself.
And there's another thing very r''cur-
tain. and that is, how I'm TO do H. I've
thought and thought about It; and the
moro | think, don't see my way. All
the wise folks nowadays arc writing and
talking about girls doing for themselves.
They say. Find out what you can do
best, and then do it.
"But can't do any thing bcst--that
Ia, any OF tho things that people can
make living at. ! can't teach, and
can't write stories, nor do astonishing
fanoy-work. can only do the common
everyday things; and father wouldn't
let me go away from home 70 do these,
even II wanted 10, which don't"
Alice was situated exactly as great
many young girls find themselves. The
Oldest girl In largo family with
slender income, she had picked up
moderate amount Of schooling and had
done plenty Of work. She could play
little, paint n little. and sew and cook a
great deal. The younger children, for
whom she had given willing service,
wore now growing old enough to assume
their own shares OF the household bur
dens and Alice began to find time TO
think OF things which she wanted, and
things which she would like to do II only
she know how.
~ want more books and want moro
clothes, and father has enough TO do
without my looking TO him. Oh, dearl
| wish had been brought up to somc-
thing regular TO do; but how could be?"
With tender thought OF the toll
worn mother, whose right hand she had
been all through these years Of struggle,
she took MP monthly magazine which
had strayed into her way
This "a Just the kind OF a thing I'd
like to take, It's full OF good talk
about girls helping themselves; and
ten TO one, before tho year, was out
might get some suggestion that would
show me way. but l couldn't afford
It any more than could fy."
In turning over the advertising pages,
her eye fell upoa tho terms for su bscrip-
tion.
"iAnd one to the gctter-up OF the
club There, now, might Try that.
could do any amount OF walking about
and talking. Five subscriptions and
should hayoit. It's no harm trying,
anyway"
To think and 10 act meant one with
Alice; and 1t was not long before she
was entering tho house OF one OF her
neighbors in tho little rambling country
town.
"May come in?" sho asked, pausing
at tho door.
"0h, dear, yes, OF course you can,
Miss Alice, II you'll only excuse the
mess I'm in. set aside my other work
to-day to see II couldn't fix ovor the
chlldren's last summer millinery
costs so much, you know, when there's
four of 'em, and myself, too, though
every body 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 moro; and the
same way with their dresses. They
want more fixings about 'em, aint satis-
fed no moro with Jane Ann Porry's
work--that just does plain sewing-but
thinks they ought to have a reg'lar
dress-makor. At dollar dayl Now,
look here at this"
With all lhersympathy for Mrs. DralSo's
perplexities, Alice could not help smil-
ing at her wooden arrangement OF rib
bons and fowors.
LET me see II could twist that into
an better shape" sho said, taking the
hat out OF Mrs. brakes hands.
Oh, you're so good, Miss Alice.
There now-if you haven't the real
milliner touch. Some folks can do any
thing they sot their hands to. l ain't
BIZ of llnack myself"
'Oh, I've had to have q knack," said
Alice, laughing. 81 have tribe athome
TO do for. Mother noyer has time for
such work, like you. But don't you
think some book like this would help
you on such things, Mrs. Dralse9 1t
gives lot OF information about doing
things at home"
"Bless your heart, Miss Alicel ! never
hayo moment for reading, even II |
could afford the money and can't. But
] do hope you'll have good luck. Myl
amt you made that hat look just like
new one"
"Ycs that looks something like it,"
said half-grown girl, just thon entering
the room with look OF great discon-
tent ON her pretty face. II amt going
to wear this dress to school any moro,
mother"
"lyhy not?n asked Mrs. Drake.
'Thc girls laugh Att. They say that
looping up in the back looks like a
plowed field"
"Dear me. worked and fused half a
day over that" said Mrs. Drake, look
ing rucfuliy at tho cxpansc OF snarled-
up ruifs. n couldn't make head or tail
OF how that bought pattern meant 'em
70 GO"
Grip them out, Katie" said Alice,
iand can drnpc II for you In a few mo-
monts, II you'll let me- Y
'.Now, did you everl'' exclaimed Mrs.
Drake, US, undor Alicc's deft fingers,
few graceful loopings took tbs place OF
the puifs. Then with directions for a
little pressing, shc said goodbye, amid
ashewer Of admiring thanks from moth
er and daughter.
Alice took her way to the house d