The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-08-18
A TYPEWRITER GIRL,

There was weeping and wailing and
gnashing 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 a position as type
writer in n of big, wicked Chicago's
well known business houses.
cts a disgrace to the family" Broth
er Bob declared, and he donned his over
coat and repaired to the clubhouse
around the corner. Mamma wept loud
ly; papa fumed family.
"John Vandergastr" moaned mamma.
HE will never look at you again! A
daughter of mine a typewriter"
Ca%roline's short upper lip curled slight
ly more than already curled by nature,
although an apprehensive look did come
into her great hazel eyes.
"If you think, my dearest mother, that
l am going to starve here in this remote
quarter of the woods, even in the most
genteel style, just for a look from Mr..
Vandergast, you are vastly mistaken"
"There are other employments for a
woman-such a public position! And
typewriters are alw,-s $50 talked
about"
"In the newspa.. led Caroline.
"But no one will pe.. 49,. about mel"
she finished. with stern
Before it was 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 made 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 were out on the
station platform, that you are going so
far from home. But 1 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 I 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 IN the car and steaming Chi
cagoward Caroline was not quite SO
brave, and despite her tall, dignifed self
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?
IL l. W DCSU. Sll0 SdIu SleIulV
to herself as she brushed away the i'm
pertinent tears, land a good one too. I
am so glad l 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 SUI
prerne Indifference and so impressed her
employers with her dignity that they
were half afraid of her.
AS q typewriter she was invaluable
rapid, correct, distinct, her every sheet
perfection itself, but there was no social
intercourse nor pleasant conversation.
"That girl" declared the junior part
ner,. actually scares me. She's too pref
ty to be such a prude."
"Ye-es," drawled the senior, and that
afternoon the venerable gentleman asked
her how she spent her evenings.
"Sir!" inquired Caroline.
"You-excuse me, but you are young
and not homely, and you will pardon an
old man if he takes an interest in your
welfare in this great city"
"Ah, yes" Caroline drew a long, ex-
pressive breath, and a close observer
would have said that her nostrils dilated
something like those of a high strung
horse. Sunday evening / attended serv-
ices at St. James; Monday evening I de-
voted to literature, Emerson, Carlyle
and Renan being my favorite authors;
T---l-~ -~---.-- -kx--I-l IL ---.
Gales, and Wednesday evening / attend
prayers: Thursday evening / again de-
vote to reading; Friday evening l gener-
ally attend the opera IT concert, and