Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-10-03
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon,
Author of GIN HIS STEPS. - "JoHN KINGS
QUESTION CLASS, +" edward
BLAKE, - Etc.
Copyright, 1900, by Charles Nj. Sheldon.)
CHAPTER IV.-CoNTINUED.

While her room was in process of
recons truction, Barbara had been GO
ing home to stay with her mother.
Mrs. Clark was only partly reconciled
to Barbara's choice OF career; and
when, this particular night, after the
news of MIR. Morton's coming, Bar
bara arrived quite early (having ex-
cused herself soon on the plea of be-
ing very tired), Ms. Clark noted the
signs of trouble in Barbara's face,
and instantly questioned her about it.
"Your work is too hard, too con-
6ning, my dear. 1t is not at all the
work for such a girl as you are, Bar
bara. 1t will kin you
''No, mother, l don't think it WILL"
Barbara replied, bravely.
But | don't see what good it is do
fng to anyone. You are just shaving
yourself to death like any ordinary
servant. Your talents as a teacher
are wasted. Your social position is
gone. You have buried yourself in
kitchen. OF what use is it? You
might be in the world like other peo-
pie, with some opportunities to rise
and make the most of yourself,
whereas now you are shut out from
all the ordinary social ambitions and
accomplishments of other girls"
Mother, don't, please" cried Bar
bara, and then to her mothers sur
prise she suddenly broke down and
began to cry softly.
There! I told you so! You are
all worn out!" said her mother, com
ing to her and putting loving arm
about her.
"No, mother, l am not very tired in
body. I'm just little bit discour-
aged tonight" Barbara declared;
and after few minutes crying, with
her head in her mothers lap, she be-
gan to talk cheerfully of her plans.
She was going to see Mrs. Vane again.
She thought she could in a little time
get Hilda interested and add one or
two more to the inner circle. They
were very kind to her at the Wards.
1t was very much like home there.
They were making a new room for
her, and enlarging her kitchen. Bar
bara spoke of this last with playful
reference to a laughing remark Mrs.
Ward had made while talking of the
enlargement of the kitchen: you can
set apart this new corner for com
pany, unless you will use the parlor
when your beauX come to call" 81
don't think | shall ever need it, moth
er; you are all the beau | want, added
Barbara, gayly.
Her mother shook her head "What
company can you ever have, Barbara?
You have forfeited all expectation of
1T by putting yourself into your pres
ent position. You are so situated that
neither your interiors nor your equals
can meet with you socially. There is
an impossible gulf between you and
the young people of your own degree
of education and refinement"
Not necessarily, mother Barbara
stoutly protested. Perhaps a little
unconsciously she was trying to give
herself some hope. anyone Tor
whom l might care as a friend in the
social world would not be influenced
by my position"
"They couldn't help it, much as they
might not wish to. Mrs. Ward is pow
erless, Mrs. Nane with all her wealth
and influence is powerless to give you
any real standing in society. Try 1t
and see"
81 WILL" replied Barbara, as a plan
occurred to her. But, mother, why
should | be shut out of any society
might choose to enter, simply because
1 am doing good, honest, useful la Dor
with my hands?"
II do not think you ought to be shut
out, of course. We have gone over the
ground a hundred times. But your
position does shut you out. 1t is not a
question of ought, but it does"
Anyone | might care for would not
regard my position" said Barbara,
stoutly.
Nevertheless, Barbara, you know
as well as anyone that because you
are hired girl in Mrs. Wards house
you do not have the place in society
that you would have if you taught
school in Crawford. Why, even in the
church it is clearly fact that you
cannot get the recognition that you
would get if you were doing something
else. Don't you yourself see that
plainly enough?"
Barbara was silent. She was going
over in memory the last few Sundays
at Marble Square church. Since that
first Sunday when she had gone with
Mrs. Ward she had been every week