The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-09-02
A TYPEWRITER I R

There was weeping and wailing and
crashing of teeth in the St. Clair house
hold.
Caroline. the youngest daughter, had
decided to carve her own fortunes, as
those of the family were getting in "a
most ~entangled condition, and '.unbe-
knownst" to her worthy relatives had
sought and secured IA position as type
writer in n of big, wicked Chicago's
well known business houses.
Its a disgrace t. the family" Broth
err Bob declared. and he donned his over
coat and repaired to the clubhouse
around the corner. Mamma wept loud
ly; papa fumed family.
John Vandergast!" moaned mamma
He will never look at you again! A
daughter of mine a typewriterr.'
Caroline's short upper lip curled slight
ly more than already curled by nature,
although an ~apprehensive look did come
into her great hazel eyes.
eff you think. my dearest mother. that
am going to starve here in this remote
quarter of the woods. even in the most
genteel style, just for d look from Mr..
Vandergast. you are vastly mistaken"
There are other ~einployments for a
woman-such a public position! And
typewriters are always $3.50 talked
about"
"ln the newspapers" added Caroline.
But no will ever talk about me-"
she finished. with stern bravery.
Before it vas time for Caroline to
leave for the distant city her father had
altogether ceased his Tuning and was
considering the advantages of his daugh-
ter's assistance. Of lateyears the strug-
gle had been a hard one for him. His
wife had always been a society woman
and extravagant: INDUCED sons and fash
ionable daughters, whose marriages had
each cost him a small fortune, had SO re-
duced the estate male in his prime that
now, in his old age, bankruptcy con
stantly stared him in the face.
Il regret. daughter" he said as the
train whistled and they We're out on the
station platform, that you are going 50
far from home. But l know how YOU
would feel to begin labor here, and |
fully appreciate your efforts in assisting
me. The burden is growing heavier
with every year" and he sighed.
Somebody has to do something" re-
turned the daughter sententiously.
And know you are fully capable of
taking care of yourself. God bless you,
my girl"
And the careworn father was prouder
OF his typewriter girl than of his wealth
lest and most beautiful daughter.
But once on the car and steaming Chi
cagoward Caroline was not quite so
brave, and despite her tall. dignifed self
n or two tears rolled down her aristo-
cratic nose and defied the superior little
curl of her short upper lip.
What if John Vandergast-they had
been such friends before he left for Eu-
rope, and although Caroline had not
given her promise. for she was not sure
OF herself, she had consented to speak
with him again upon the subject when
he would return.
Now she was sure of herself-but
John?
1T is one more test" she said sternlv
to herself as she brushed away the i'm
pertinent tears. land a good one too. |
am SO glad | defied mamma and took the
business course at college,"
In the excitement of her new life Caro-
line forgot her little thoughts that might
have been called sentiment. She passed
the ordeal of critical examination by the
other typewriters in the office with ST.
preme Indifference and SO impressed her
employers with her dignity that they
were half afraid of her.
AS a typewriter she was invaluable
rapid, correct, distinct, her every sheet
perfection itself. but there was no social
intercourse nor pleasant conversation.
"That girl" declared tie junior part
ner, actually scares me. She's too pref
ty to be such a pruda."
"Ye-es," drawled the senior, and that
afternoon the venerable gentleman asked
her how she spent her evenings.