Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-08-17

rlmonial chances. Talk about trust
worthiness Who absconds with the
employers money? Not the woman
Talk about the broader outlook
Wait until your crosseyed bookkeeper
Goes to South America with the con-
tents of your safe, and you will wish
Won had one of the untrustworthy
women in his place"
Don't let us quarrel, my dear"
pltronized Harry, "for | did not wish
to offend you. / was shocked that
you, SO young, so pretty, wished to do
mans work.
1T is not mans work, Harry" said
the girl, quickly. "Work is classified
according to its excellence, and not
the sex OF the worker. But there is
no use of arguing with YOU" turning
to leave the room. "On second
thought" and she paused on the
threshold, "let me predict that you
will fall hopelessly in love with one
of this very class of women, marry
her, and become a thorough convert
to the Idea of women in business"
"Marry a creature of that stamp?
Not unit | become an imbecile. l
shall marry for u companion; a
woman who will know her sphere and
keep it,"
"Ah, it will certainly happen, my
sapient cousin, and how l will gloat
over You and remind you of these
spicy conversations OF ours?"
With merry laugh the girl closed
The door and ran lightly down the
J nall, leaving behind her IL much be-
ruhled young man.
Harry McDougaIl was not at heart
an intolerant young man, but his
whole life environment had been con.
servative in the highest degree.
His residence in the West had been
but short, and he was daily surprised
at the freedom accorded women about
him. He marveled at the uncon-
seriousness with which business men
accepted into their precincts the en-
trance of business women, and alb
horred, through Ignorance OF the
thought of the times, their "intru-
sion, as he called it.
HIS disposal of "the superhous wo.
man" had been by matrlmony, or re-
legation to her own roof-tree, not con-
sidering that the superAous woman
had no one to marry her, nor some
times a male relative to provide roof
tree, or support it beneath its shelter,
even did the bread of dependence
taste sweet to her.
But q few N onths before young Nc
Dougall had come to Kansas from
Connecticut, to take charge of flour
ing mill lately purchased by his
father, a property situated in small
town some thirty miles west OF Ellis
ton, Henrietta's home.
The business was prospecting, and
prosperity does not make an lntoler-
ant man tolerant so upon his visits
to EIliston his alterations with Hen
rietts had become more spirited, cul'
minating in the application by the
girl for position as bookkeeper in hls
mill, and his pompous refusal OF it.
The next morning, before breakfast,
telegram informed Harry that his
father had been the victim of an &C
cilcut in the old mill at home, anC
desired the immediate presence of hi
son. He had barely time to write in
structlons to his bookkeeper, placing
necessary funds at his disposal, before
the next train for the East
"What pity you did not accept my
offer Of yesterday" SAID Henrietta
iokingly, as they stood beside th'
waiting train. "Just think how wei
, | could have taken cafe of your inter
ests during your absence.
"Pouf!" calculated Harry, with ex
aggerated contempt. "When ] wan
a shortage in my accounts | will EN-
ploy women to manage my affairs"
And he swung himself aboard il
time to escape his cousins just wrath
But no sooner had he taken up tn
, familiar duties at home than the dis
tracing news came from the Yves
that his trusted bookkeeper Henri
ettO's detestatlon) had left suddenly
with the contents of the safe.
h The young mans state of mind ca
be imagined. His father was not ye
out of danger, and, even had he been
a the business required him to stay i
the East. His money! coasiderabl
sum-was gone, the mill was not rul
ming, and orders already in could Lo
be filled. 1t meant ruin for him.
After several days Of distracte
waiting and telegraphing, he receive
letter from Elliston, which ran:
"MR. HENRY MCDouGALL:
"Dear Sir-I nave visited your mil
l. looked over the premises, examined Il
d books, and, if satisfactory to you, am willl
!. to take charge Of the business during YOU
absence, advancing the necessary none
J. This. providing you will sell mo Il one-ha
! interest in the property, ut the price asRC
r by the former owner. and will accept Il
10 money / shall advance as part purcha
money.
Il awaiting your decision, | am
every truly yours, ID. p. BoARDNAN'
IS His first sense was one of relief, TO
e lowed by wonderment. David Boar(
k man was senior member of the fir
n owning one of the largest mills III Il
:. liston. and his check could be draw
,e for larger amount than that of an
other man in the city. What coul
!, he want, Harry asked himself, with
|. mill in little country town, whei
= such financial disaster had occurre
g as had happened to his own business
II But the letter was evidently in goo
If faith, and Harry telegrOphed his AZ
1t ceptance Immediately, knowing that
It partnership with Mr.. Boardman woul
4. insure his future.
If Three months later, Harry alighte
from the train at his Western home.
" In the intervening time his partne
d had not only made up the loss Il
business had sustained. but ha
At brought profits higher than ever b
ii fore. Mr.. Boariman had RENAME
p. constantly on the ground, howeve