The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-09-13

asked with smile. The child did not
answer at once, and Barbara took the
liberty of stepping into the hall, still
smiling at the child, who continued to
look at her gravely. If dragons are
to be met, why not with q smile?
"Will you please tell your mamma
I would like to see her? Tell her
have come to see II she wants a
"a hired grip" asked Carl sudden
ly, for it was he.
EYES," continued Barbara, smiling;
"tell her q hired girl wants to sec
her"
"All right" said Carl, slowly. He
left Barbara standing Awkwardly in
the hall and started upstairs to call
his mother. Near the top he met her
coming down.
Another one of those girls" be-
gan Carl, in a good, sturdy voice; but
his mother said: Hush" and in a
tired manner ordered him to go back
upstairs and stay with Lewis until
she came up.
She came down and met Barbara in
the hall. There were two chairs
anu wi - NdId uOWus
ing: won't you take seat?" look
ing at Barbara closely as she did so.
THANK you" said Barbara, quiet
ly. 81 have come in answer to your
advertisement in the evening news"
Eyes" said Mrs. Ward, slowly.
"Are you-do you think you can do
our work?"
81 think So" replied Barbara, mod
estly.
Can you take charge and 60 on
without being told how to do every
little thing?" Mrs. Ward asked some
what sharply. She was silently, but
rapidly, noting everything about Bar
bara's face and dress and manner.
yes, ma'am, ! think / can, after
learning your ways"
Your name?"
Barbara Clark. ! live with my
mother on Randolph street, two
blocks from here"
you have worked out before? ?"
Mrs. Ward was beginning to note the
quiet refinement of the girl. and her
first thought was suspicion Of Bar
bara.
mo, have never worked out as
servant in a private family. I have
been a waiter and cook and house
keeper one summer season at Lake
View Chautauqua. The only refer
ences | have are from Prof. White,
who had charge of the assembly that
year"
Prof. Carol Burns White?"
ayes, ma'am. OF Waldeau acad-
envy"
ale was my son Alfred's teacher
there. His reference would he
enough" Mrs. Ward spoke eagerly.
looking at Barbara even more keenly.
"But you are not IA servant girl?"
81 am. il you decide to take me-"
replied Barbara, calmly.
Mrs. Ward looked at the girl
thoughtfully. 81 do not thiuk-we-
you are not of the class Of servants
1 am used to. May I ask, is it--may
I ask how you came to be seeking
this work?"
"Certainly," replied Barbara. cheer
fully. 81 have tried to secure other
places, and have failed. l think | can
suit you as a servant. I"
Barbara hesitated. She thought II
she tried to say anything about her
studies in social economics. or the adj
venture of this plan, as she had only
vaguely dreamed il herself, she might
not be understood. Better wait and
let that develop naturally, So she
stopped suddenly and sat looking at
Mrs. Ward quietly.
"a
an unusual situation. The girl had
given enough evidence of being all
right, especially if Prof. Whites rec
ommendation was a good one At the
same time, there was n great risk in
hiring a person of Barbara's evident
education and refinement, How far
would she want to become one of the
family? What relations would have
to be established between her and the
mistress?
But Mrs. Ward was thoroughly
tired out with a succession of disap-
pointments in experiences with girls
who were incompetent ungrateful
and dishonest. The suggestion to her
mind of a good, honest, capable wom-
an in kitchen and house who could
relieve her of the pain of daily
drudgery was a suggestion of such re-
lief that she knew il came TO her that
her decision was almost made up to
take Barbara even IL the circum-
stances in the girls life were strange
and unusual. Barbara suddenly
helped her to make the decision final
"Of course, I am ready to be taken
on trial, At the end of week or a
month, if you are not satisfied, I shall
expect you to say so, and that will
end it,"
"How much do you expect week"
Mrs. Ward asked, slowly,
Barbara colored. She had never
been asked the question before.
"I don't know, Perhaps you cannot
tell until you find out how much l am
worth to you"
"Shall we say four dollars to begin
with? We have paid more than that
but"