The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03

WIN hou OOOA odIu III noI pIoSouCo
over and over again, when sympa-
thetic friends had dropped in with
well-meant advice and suggestions as
to the best way for the troubled fam
lily to earn their daily bread.
"Why can't I work, if I'm not
boy" demanded Marcia.
"Why, you can. of course" was
the answer, "but what will it amount
to- Girls get so little for their work;
but with boy it is different. A boy
of sixteen is capable of earning very
good wages"
"Never mind, girls" Marcia would
say, turning to her three younger
sisters, 1--WE won't cry because we're
girls till we're very sure that girls
are no good, will we? l believe we
can help papa and mamma just as
much as if we were boys"
$50 do IT, answered each of the
sisters, who always believed every
thing Marcia did.
But let US go back to the sick-room
and see how Marcia gets along in
her new role as nurse.
Gas l said before, papa, you must
MT talk, but there is no reason why
you shouldn't listen. At least, the
| doctor didn't say you shouldn't. I've
been thinking of something, for two
or three days, and now my mind is
made up to try it, if you are willing.
That is one reason why l was so de-
termined to take care of you all by
myself. haven't said word about
it to mamma yet, for she is so per-
perfectly distracted that she can't
think of anything else but just you.
But I'm more heartless, thank for
tune! I specialized on what you were
thinking about, and was very sure it
was money. You've been worrying
about how we were going to live,
haven't you? Wink your eyes, fast,
this way, if I've guessed right! There,
l knew it all the time. Are you tired?
Just shake your head, but don't
speak. Oh, papa, don't laugh! don't
for anythingl for that would excite
you, and then I'll get scolded, and
then they won't let me see you
again!"
"You're most too CAREFUL" said
the sick man. 81 have been allowed
to talk little all along, and l guess
it wont hurt me to say yes and no,
now"
ooh. won't it, I'm awfully glad.
for it was almost too much for my
gravity to see lying there blinking
like sleepy owl. But l know you
mustn't talk much, or the doctor
wouldn't have laid such fearful COM
mands on me. Well, what [ wanted
to say is this: believe I've thought
of something can do to help sup
port the family. I'm going to be
travelling salesman for grocery
store"
Mr.. Morris looked at his daughter
in amazement, and opened his mouth
to echo her last remarkable statement,
but plump hand instantly covered
it and merry laugh sounded in his
ear.
ooh, papa, don't speak, please
DON'T l suspect I have spoiled every
thing by giggling out that way, but
you did look so funny Actually, pa
pa, you did look too Mortified for any
thing. Do you suppose any one
heard me laughings l hope not, for
I haven't got half through with you
yet. Now be patient, and I'll ex-
plain. was thinking how easily Mr..
Bailey made living. You know he
is travelling salesman for grocery
store; and l came pretty near wish
ing that l was boy so that l could
go and do likewise. Guess l should
have wished it, if | hadn't been
taken away with the idea that I could
doit anyway; so l called on Mr.. Allen
at once-your look of horror grows
more intense, but don't you dare ut
ter syllable-and laid the plan be-
fore him with many misgivings, much
trembling, and a few tears on my
stubby eyelashes. Honestly, papa,
was pretty nearly frightened to
death; but Mr.. Allen says he will
give me ten per cent commission on
all the groceries / can sell, and am
to deliver everything but -four and
heavy things of that sort. thought
if l could make Dobbin useful, then
we shouldn't be obliged to sell him,
and you will need him when you are
able to ride out. There are a great
many people in this city, and it seems
as if l could persuade few of them
to buy their groceries from me, does
MT it, What do you think of the
nlan2 Are YOU willing | should