The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-10
VARA'S LUCK.


help that l thought possible to fill, yet at
each place was either turned away with
out being given chance to demonstrate
my ability or was met at the door by q
bold sign, saying that the position had al
ready been filled and no more applicants
would be received"
Thus spoke Vara, the only daughter,
and, in fact, the only living relative of
Mrs Carter, widow in destitute circum-
stances For several months Mrs. Carter
had watched tho small remnant of her
husbands insurance dwindle away each
day to realize that their worst suffering
was yet to come. The winter was fast APP
preaching, and it promised to be an un
usually severe one. How they were to sur
vive was "a problem that gave her much
concern.
Nara was wee bit of girl, Just IS.
Willing to work to support her mother, but
unable to get much to do. True, she oc-
casionally got small amount of work from
the lady who made dresses next door, but
that only came occasionally, and was not
sufficient to meet the demands of her fam
! lily. Although not with the vividness of
her mother, she, too, realized the struggle
which they were to encounter, and had de-
! termined to leave nothing undone to Sc
cure employment.
The below zero conditions of the weather
! upon the morning this story opens i indled
n fire within her heart, although the cloth
| ing Vara wore was not at all sympathetic
with the atmosphere. She thought the ex-
treme cold would lessen competition, for
only those in dire need would venture out
upon such day TO seek work. There were
only two positions offered in the column
for female help. These were technical, and
| there was no use of an inexperienced ap.
/ plicant. Just then bright idea flashed
| through her brain, and she hastily glanced
through the Male Help Wanted" column,
and from it cut the following advertise.
Iaent:
Wanted.-Boy l5 years old to file letters and
! papers in lawyers Office; must be quick and
accurate. Apply 10 o'clock, room 4l2 -
building.
When Judge Womble arrived at his office,
at 8 O'Clock that morning, he found a
young girl awaiting him. He did not dream
the mission of this young lady, for he had
| given his private secretary instructions to
see the applicants for the position in the
| outside waiting room. When he had taken
off his heavy coat, he babe the Office boy to
show the lady in.
CHANGING up from the pile of letters he
had commenced to open, he asked the
young lady what he could do for her.
please, sir, judge, saw your advertise.
ment and came to see if you would not try
me- l feel assured that l can do the work
required as well as any boy could. Besides
it's Il matter of necessity for me to secure
work, that my mother may not starve.
Give me a trial, and am sure you will
never regret it. "
This was no less aperson than Vara, and
the manner in which she told the Judge of
her distress aroused charitable disposition
within him, and he told his secretary to
show the lady what was required, and il
she felt disposed she might attempt the
work, although not exactly the kind he
would prefer women to perform.
With IA heart light us the snow which
was fast covering the Streets Vara went
home at o'clock, after her work was fin.
ished, and told her mother of the good luck
that had ut last arrived
While the duties required were not labo-
rious, it was no easy task to keep the vo-
luminous correspondence and legal docu-
ments filed in precise manner, which the
judge desired However, Vara kept the
files in such neat and exact position that ut
a moments notice she could lay her hand
upon any paper wanted.
She had been in the office three weeks
when the private secretary asked her to re-
arrange some old papers that had not been
touched for many years and index them for
future reference. Some of them were vel
low with age, and many with the ink faded
until the writing was scarcely legible.
hetiled all the documents in A and B
and had commenced work upon c when
the first paper she picked up caused her to
take u second glance at the name-Kath.
crime Gladstone Carter. Her mother s
name! What could it mean9 Surely the
name must be that of some other person.
She opened the time worn paper, and before
she had read half dozen lines she tainted.
The office boy came in some time after.
ward and discovered the girl stretched at
full length upon the floor His alarm
brought in the judge and the secretary.
There lay Vara, while in her hand was
clutched the document bearing the name
of her mother.
When she had recovered, the judge asked
her what she knew of Mrs. Katharine
Gladstone-C Carter. Upon learning that il
was her mother, the judge ordered his car
rage, and together he and Vara went tC
the humble tenement she called home.
!. Mrs Carter, have searched for you
during the past 10 years, but fate has to
day rewarded my efforts through youl
daughter. You are heir to the Gladstone
estate in north Berkshire, valued at oyel
81, 100000 BY these documents, contain
ing confession, you will understand why
Sir William Roseberry made this repara
ton of wrong committed against youl
father 40 years ago, by which he was dis
possessed of property that is today returned
to you with interest" Thus spoke the
judge prior to his departure.
Vara does not now stay in the office, buI
she is welcome there any time, and wher
the judge returns home after his days
work is completed bright little woman
meets him at the door and greets him with
u kiss. Then arm in arm they go to the
room where her mother is confined as al
invalid. The greatest pleasure of Vara's
life is to see that her mother is given every
comfort that can be had. She often de
lights her fashionable visitors with thu
story of "How She Became Lawyer -
Exchange.