The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-11-22


 posed Grace, unwilling to yield. Not quite so bad as that Grace of course there is no such thing as abso. lute freedom if you are dependent on your own exertions for livelihood. You have to carry out the commands of your employer, no matter what line of work you select, and to that extent one is slave. With me it is simply a choice between doing what I don't know how to do and what I under stand, thanks to mothers indulgence when she humored what she thought was whim, by letting me attend first class cooking school for six months I was good average cook before, for l always liked to stay around the kitchen and help; but while I was at school became satisfied nature meant me Tor cook It was only in defer ence to what knew mother would feel on the subject were she living that, when l found I should have to work, tried to make teacher of my self, instead of following my own Judgment and undertaking what I knew l was fitted for"
 Well. guess I shall have to give up," said Grace, ''as you seem so de- termined; but you know, Helen, that your position socially will be gre atly affected. Why this should be so, none of us is exactly prepared to say; but 1t is none the less true that house servants never receive the social recog- milton we are willing to bestow on those who serve us elsewhere in some other capacity. Why measuring tape should be more respectable than mals- ing pudding, l can't tell; but that's the way the world goes, and I don't see any remedy for it"
 That is all true. I have arrived at the conclusion that as domestic sery- ice is so rarely rendered by intelligent, cultivated women, the work has be- come identified with ignorance and coarseness. It is pet theory of mine that this line of work can be redeemed from obloquy by women of refinement entering it; and as there have to be pioneers in every new undertaking, I shall regard myself as one when l find myself among the pots and pans"
 But the money part of your new departure, Helen, how about that? Can you make decent living at it?" ''I have inquired into that, and find that good cooks in ordinary-sized families, here in the city rarely receive less than twenty dollars a month, and have good board, a separate room neat ly furnished, and plenty of time to do their sewing and for recreation. Wages are even higher where the fam fly is wealthy and the service is un- usually competent. cannot procure board, you know, with well-ventil- ated room to myself, for less than thirty dollars month, unless I go into a very undesirable neighborhood. My salary Is forty-fve dollars where am; this leaves me fifteen dollars a month for all my other expenses. 1 have lived a great deal cheaper, 'tis true, for the past two years, because felt compelled to; but have not been com fortable. I am quite sure that the board ] should receive in a family of liberal means will be vast improve ment on my present arrangement; and as am out of debt now, can afford to make myself little more comfort able. See if don't save money out of twenty dollars a month, and live we'll, tooI'
 Have you any idea where you will go?"
 II have no fear about getting a place, for all the employment bureaus report that the demand far exceeds the supply in my line. But have a special place in view, which intend seeing about tomorrow, and will let you know the result I think it is right, though, to say that don't ex- pect you to visit me as you have always done, for I can understand that it might be unpleasant to you. l con fess that the idea of giving up our pleasant association has been the greatest obstacle to my experiment; but can't go on injuring roomful of children by poor teaching"
 Give up our association!" exclaimed Grace, in astonishment Helen How ard, have you gone daft? Do you sup pose that am going to let anything come between me and my best friend? As lJon as you become domiciled am coming around to see how you are faring. Perhaps you may make a complete convert of me. Who knows?"
 Helen's answer was low: Thank you" and warm pressure of the hand placed in hers
 Really, Miss Howard, I scarcely know what to say--your application has taken me so by surprise. You will agree with me that it is very unsuual thing for young lady to vol untarily relinquish such a position as you hold for one so much more men, jal." The speaker was handsome, refned-looking lady, and her dress and surroundings indicated wealth.
 Do you consider it degrading or menial to do your own work, as you tell me you have been forced to do for some days on account of incompe tent help? Then why should it nec- essarily be menial for me to do the | same work for you? But we need not