People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-10-14

where or how employment could be OBJ
tanned"
'Be seated, Miss Owens" he said, af-
ter the lapse of a moment. IF | can
assist you shall willingly do So"
His manner was so different from his
wife's, so frank and open when con-
trasted with her cold reserve, that it
quite put me at ease with him directly.
He was not a bad looking man and |
was impressed with the idea that he
was not an ungenerous one.
$50 your mother and my wife were
once friends, eh?" he questioned, when
l was seated.
They were acquaintance" an
swered, careful to avoid any reference
to relationship which l was sure Mrs.
Bernard did not care to own.
"Ah, merely acquaintances?" he re-
marked. Il was under the impression
that they were related. My wife had a
cousin of your name, and as you bear a
strong likeness to that cousin, ! thought
perhaps she might have been your
mother"
saw that he had guessed the truth,
and | had no alternative save to
acknowledge it.
81 knew your mother quite well years
ago." he continued. 1--WE were very
good friends at one time"
Mrs. Bernard dropped her book, and
turned her eyes on her husband with
anything but a pleased expression
beaming from them.
Ralph" she said, "if you have any
information for Miss Owens be so good
as to let her hear it.
I'm moment, Laura. 1t isn't often
we have relatives to visit us, and we
can certainly spare a little time for
friendly chat when one does come"
Mrs. Bernard returned to her book,
and for moment her husband watched
her, queer smile lurking about his
face in the meanwhile. ! felt that
there was a hidden meaning in that
smile, but did not suppose it had any
interest for me, as ] dismissed the
thought from my mind
well, Miss Owens" the gentleman
resumed, "as it transpires tl,;.t we are
related | shall certainly take pleasure
in giving you any information or other
assistance | can. Now what kind of
employment would you like"
81 would like anything" l replied,
''if it was honorable and brought me
a living"
That's very good" he agreed, but
at the same time one must have a
preference for some certain calling and
must feel better adapted to that. Have
you no choice of occupations?"
YES" said I, 81 should prefer teach
ing"
/ said that, not because | knew
would like teaching, but because | sup
posed | would, and because Charles
Cornell had suggested it. Mr. Bernard,
thought, was not exactly pleased with
my suggestion, though he said nothing
to that effect.
I'm afraid" he remarked, that
can do nothing for you in that line
There are no schools to be had now, and
if you got place to teach you would
be compelled to wait some time. How
would you like to go into a store as a
saleswoman?"
Il don't know" l answered. IF |
could please my employer would like
it well enough. But | know nothing of
business, and l should be very awk-
ward"
You can learn" he replied, land if
you care to take such a position l can
put you into one at any time"
Thanks" | said, u shall take it
gladly"
Then" he continued, st only re
mains to arrange the matter of salary.
am to be your employer, you see, SO
the whole affair can be settled right
now. You will make this your home?"
II should prefer not"
Very well. Then you can manage
about board, and l will pay you in cash
altogether"
He named salary which l considered
very liberal, and / promptly accepted
it, anG, at once set about preparing to
begin the discharge of my new duties.
was very happy in the thought that
was to be independent and make nv
own way, and l went about my prepar-
atoms with light heart and buoyant
spirits,