The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-05-24

Florida. Mamma shall have girl to
help her with the housework. Will can
go to school, and 1 shall have a career
open TO mep
SO Frank went home, ordered a new
bonnet from the village milliner; hereto
fore she had always trimmed her own
hats-and purchased, on credit, fur.
trimmed cloak which had long been the
object of her secret yesrnings in the
show-windows Of Tape s. Buckram.
And after sending in her resignation to
the school trustees, she went to Wash
ington to enter upon her new duties.
"It's a long way for you to 90, unes-
corted, daughter" said the mild old
clergyman.
ooh, papa, things are quite changed
since you were young" said Frank, with
a kiss. "a woman can go anywhere,
now, by herself. And only think: am
a Government official nowl"
Miss Middleworth arrived safely in
Washington, registered her name in a
quiet family hotel and, dressed in her
one black-silk gown, with the new hat
and the fur-trimmed cloak, went to the
Patent Office and sent in her card to MIR.
Whitehaven, the chief clerk of the
Canceling Department, in whose name
her appointment had been made out.
''Frank Middleworth" was written on
the card in her bold, round handwrit-
ing. Mr.. Whitehaven looked critically
at its lines.
"It's an awfully busy time just now" ="
said he, contracting his frost white eye
brows. "But suppose we'll have to
attend to this protege of Mellen's. Ask
him to step in"
The colored porter stared.
"There amt no him there, SIR" said
he. "It's herv"
"Don't be fooli" said Mr.. White
haven. "Do you see this caId2 Very
well, admit him at oncer'
And Mr.. Whitehaven turned to a stout
baldheaded office seeker who was in the
last agonIes of impatience to secure an
audience.
The porter shrugged his shoulders.
"Orders is always to be obeyed," said
he to himself.
And SO Miss Middleworth was ushered
in without further delay.
Mr.. Whitehaven looked blankly at her
for a moment, and then his expression
changed to one of active annoyance.
"Madam," be said, az am sorry to
appear discourteous, but our time, dur
ing Office hours, is not our own. II you
are book agent"
Frank crimsoned all over.
"oh,' she said, hurriedly, "I am not
book agent. am the new clerk
Miss Middleworth."
"'Miss Middleworth2'" repeated the
chief clerk.
"Yes," said Frank, little impatient
ly. ~ sent in my card a few minutes
ago." And she pointed to the piece of
pasteboard lying on the table.
"Ah!" said Mr.. WhitehaveH. "But
this appointment was made out to gen
tleman."
at was made out to Frank Middle
WORTH" said the young lady with
spirit; sand am Frank Middleworth. +"
"Humphl' said the chief clerk Of the
Canceling Department. "Some mis-
take. There are no young women en-
ployed in this departmental one but
men,"
"But," faltered Miss Middleworth, az
wrote to Judge Mellen. He has pro.
cured this appointment for me. He"
''I beg your pardon, said Mr.. White.
haven. "What did you sign yourself in
your application to hint"
"Why, Frank Middleworth,' of
course" answered the girl. "What
else should 1 sign myselfG"
The chief clerk shrugged his shoul-
ders.
"Just look at that handwriting" said
he, nodding toward the card. "How
on. earth is one to suppose that woman
wrote thatl It's the most natural mis-
take in the world. Has the Judge ever
seen you2"
"No," admitted Frank; "but he was
an old college friend of my father,
and"
"Plain as daylight" said the chief
clerk-'plain as daylight. He, also,
took it for granted that you were q
man."
"Aud am I to lose this opportunity in
life because 1 happen to be a woman2"
cried Frank. AIS this right3 Is il
just"
"Very sorry, indeed" said the chief
clerk. ''But we can't do anything for
you just at present. We employ SO few
women in the Patent Office; aud none at
all in this department. It's an unalter-
able rule
sis there no chance for met" pleaded
Frank.
"None at all, said the chief clerk.
Aud within five minutes the office in
question was bestowed upon the nephew
of the bald-headed man, who chanoed to
be famous ward politicion.
Miss AIiddleworth betook hersel, sor-
rowfully to the little New Hampshire
village.
al suppose they have found another
teacher tor the district school by this
time" she thought. "What can do to
support myself and-and to pay for this
cloak aud haiti Oh, 1 wish had not
been so foolishly extravagaut2 Aud ]
suppose Reginald Augur will never speak
to me again. Pm sure l don't deserV,
that he should"
"Never nina, dear, said tine good old
superannuated clergyman. "My cough
is "A deal better since YOU went away.