Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-03-22


"No one wants the books. The
last woman called on said Washing
ton wasn't her husband $ ideal, andsr e
considered herself about as good y
guide for housekeepers as the won 4
who writ books about housekeer =
while somebody else did the cookin' -
Here Mary laughed Historically and,
being worn out and nervous, ended by
having a good cry.
''There, there; don't cry, DEAR"
begged old Mrs. Fairchild, soothing
ly, "canvassing may not be your vocn-
ton, but you are bound to succeed
yet. You're energetic and willing, and
there will come turn in the tide,
Mary, before very long, L know"
Mary's tears had relieved the ten
sion on her nerves and her mothers
faith in her ultimate success encour-
aged her in spite of the fears she en-
tertained for their future welfare, and
she dried her eyes and began to smile
You're regular sunbeam, mother, "
she said, kissing he; affectionately,
land l hope you're true prophet, as
predict will soon occur"
And yet, despite her attempt at
cheerfulness, Mary was very sad when
she retired that night, little thinking
that her darkest hours had passed and
that bright future was about to dawn
for her.
When Farmer Faircnild died he
left his wife and child in comfortable
circumstances, but little by little
their property had diminished until
at last Mary >,as forced to seek en-
ployment. She first tried teaching q
country school, but was obliged to
give that up on account of q long
period OF illness. Sho then tried
book canvassing, but was not fitted
for the work and was not successful,
yet, having her mother as we'll as her
self to support, she was determined
not to be conquered by adverse cir
cumstances. She slept little that
night, and woke early undetermined
what work she would attempt next.
This question was solved in an unex-
pected way, for letter arrived from
relative in q Western city, telling
Mary she had the refusal of a position
in large department store. The
salary, $50 month, would keep the
two until something better offered
itself.
So the Fairchilds sold their little
home and went out to the thriving
Western town, where Mary at once
began work at the lace counter Of Mr..
Harpers store.
Mr.. Harper, pleasant, middle
aged man, was fine manager, keep
ing watchful eye on his employees,
and he soon noticed how anxious
Mary was to master all the details Of
her department aud how carefully she
attended to the wants of her patrons,
Before the end of the year the new
clerk was at the head of the lace de-
partment at good salary, and at the
close of tho second year she was pro-
NOTED to the position of purchaser of
her line of goods, going East thrice a
year for that purpose. Mary deserved
her good luck, yet her adva ace had
been SO rapid that she male some
enemies, who were always really to do
her an i'll turn. But she also gained
On ardent admirer in the cashier of
10 store, q rather ill-favored man of
uncertain age, toward whom Mary
had conceived an unaccountable an
tipathy. Whenever Mr.. Mullen came
near her she became as distant as
possible, but her shyness, as he called
it, only attracted him more to her. 1t
was only after he had declared his
love and offered her his hand as if he
were offering her a great honor, that
he became convinced that Mary posi-
lively disliked him. Then, being
mean at heart, he began to hate her
and plan for her humiliation. In a
short time he became very friendly
with one of the clerks under Mary,