The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-11-28
TWO THANKsGIVINGs.

The Story of Swedish Girls Expe-
rience in This Country.
She sat patiently awaiting her turn
in the crowded intelligence Office late
in the afternoca of a chilly November
day. There seemed to be more appli-
cants for work. than places to be
filled, and Dagmar's pale face grew
more tense and almost hopeless when
gay. chattering trio came in to regis
ter for places. She had heard the
questions asked of those who applied
for work: ''Were they strong?" could
they cook?' 'Were they experiencedY
Heart and courage failed her when
they asked her these questions. She
was not strong, she could not cook.
and she had had but little experience
in housekeeping.
After all, she concluded, perhaps she
had done very foolish thing when
she left the comfortable old home ir
Sweden. There She was child among
her schoolmates; here she must take
her place among the working people in
the world.
If she only had Siegred's address!
Siegred was her school friend and
companion, who had come to America
q year before. and had written once to
her old friends in Grenna Ct the won.
ders of the new country. Siegred had
married a rich husband. who had a
store of his own. Dagmar had not met
anyone who could tell her about Sic
cred or her rich husband or his store.
and there were more stores In the
great city than she ever dreamed Of;
so she concluded that to find Siesred
was out Of the question.
"After, walking several blocks she
saw sign: Girl Wanted" and tim
idly rang the bell. All fear Of being
questioned had left her, and in her
simple, guileless brain there arose the
brilliant plan of lying-of answering
satisfactorily any questions as to her
ability; but her tender conscience was
spared this necessity, for the lady was
not overeXacting in the matter OF quail
ifications for chambermaid, and took
her in with no other reference than her
honest eyes and the bundle Of clean,
we'll made clothes.
But little sleep came to Dagmar that
first night in her new home; she was
trying to think of herself under these
new conditions. She felt so worldly
wise with her large experience of the
last two weeks, this simple, little. fair
haired maiden. Surely, if her father
could know how we'll she had man
aged on the long journey. he would no
longer think her a child. Dagmars
heart was quite full when she thought
of the dear father who had been her
friend and companion in her child
hood and budding womanhood. She
loved him none the less, only had felt
hurt when he had brought home a
q young wife-a girl not much older
than herself. Had not Dagmar al
ways been loving and dutiful daugh-
ter? Could anyone in all Sweden
mend his socks or cook his herring bet
ter than she? Now, since Signe had
come to preside over the little house
hold, he never found time to take long
walks with his little girl in the sum-
mer twilights along the ford, as she
bad always done since her babyhOOd;
for now the old man had eyes or ears
for no one but the dark-eyed Signe.
He did not even offer serious objection
to Dagmar's proposition to seek her
fortune in America.
No one seemed to care very much
about her going, only Lars. and he,
big, good-natured fellow, cried when
she left-then Daglnar cried, too-ev-
cry one did when the boat was leaving.
She thought of the good times she had
had on Christmas and Oh the Kings
birthday and Midsummer day, and
Lars seemed to be the center of all
these pleasures.
She was awakened by shrill alarm
that the cook had sent for her, and
she arose rather heavy-eyed but anx-
ious to assume her new duties. She
saw preparations for great dinner
going on and the whole house wore q
festal appearance.
The cook told her it was Thanks
giving day. "And do you thank God
only once a year in America?" she
asked. II have always said my pray
ers every night"
At the morning family service she
rehearsed to herself her debts of graft
tude to God. II am thankful" she
said, ..that 1 have found so. good q
! home in this great city. am thankful
yes, am thankful that my dear
father is happy, and here she paused
to consider the -pOpriety Of the next.
II am thankful that Lars cried when
came away. OF course" she added, Il
do not like him to be sad, but them
q womar's fancy.
Almost a yoar. Ind n9aRod when ono