Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-12-06

to say, with grateful look at Mrs.
and Mr.. Ward, for you have been
very, very kind TO me and made my
service sweet; but in general, l must
confess, after these three weeks con-
tact with labor outside the home,
see somewhat more clearly the
reason why all branches of woman's
labor have inducements that house
labor does not offer"
"And how about the prospects for
pupils for the training-school?" Mr..
Ward asked, keenly. He had come
TO have a very earnest interest in
the proposed building.
"Out of all the girls l have seen"
Barbara answered, with some hesita-
ton, "only four have promised def
nitely that they would take such
course and enter good homes as
servants. One of these was an Amer
lean girl in an office. The others were
foreign-born girls in Bondman's."
THE outlook is not very encourage
ing, is ito" Mrs. Ward remarked, with
a faint smile.
at looks 10 me, Martha" Mr.. Ward
suggested, "as if it might be neces-
sary to put up a training-school for
training our Christian housekeepers
as well as Christian servants. lf>what
Barbara has secured in the way of
confession from these girls is ac
curate, il looks as if they are UNI
willing TO work as servants because
of the unjust or unequal or un-
Christian conditions in the houses
that employ them"
at the same time, Richard, re
member the great army Of incompc-
tent, uncrateful girls we have borne
with here i'm our home for years un-
til Barbara came. What can the
housckecper do with such material?
If the girls were AN like Barbara, it
would he different, You know"
"Wcn, l give IL up replied Mr..
Ward, with SIGH, as he opened up
his evening paper. THE whole thing
is beyondme. And barbara, of course,
win be leaving us as soon as this
new work begins And then farewell
to peace, and welcome chaos again"
you are not going to leave us
Just yet, are You. Barbara?' Mrs.
Ward asked, with an afTcctionatc
glance at Barbara.
THE house is not built vet" Bar
bara answered, returning Mrs. Wards
look.
"Of course, Barbara VIII leave us
when she has home Of her own"
Mr.. Ward said in short sentences, as
he read down a part Of the page.
Then our revenge for her leaving
US will be the thought that her
troubles have just begun when she
begins to have hired girls herself"
81 don't think there's any sign OF it
yet" Mrs. Ward said, looking keenly
at Barbara, who colored a little. 81
have not noticed any beaus in the
kitchen"
"More likely to come in through
the parlor," Mr.. Ward suggested. And
again Barbara looked up with
blush, and Mrs. Ward could not help
admiring the girls pure, intelligent
face.
There was silence for moment.
when Barbara went over her list of
figures and memoranda.
"I see Morton is back from the
west" Mr.. Ward suddenly exclaimed,
looking up from his paper. "The
News says he had remarkable tour,
and prints large part Of his recent
address on the temperance issue.
predict for him a great career. Ma
BILE Square never did a wiser thing
than when it called him to it's pulpit
My only fear is that he may kill him
self with these lecture tours"
There was silence again, and Bar
bara bent her head a little lower
over her work, which lay on the
table.
He is certainly very promising
young man." Mrs. Ward said, and
Just then the bell rang.
shouldn't wonder if that was Nor
ton himself" Mr.. Ward exclaimed,
as he arose. 81 asked him to come
in and see us as soon as he came
back. I'll 60 TO the door"
lie went out into the hall and
opened the door, and Mrs. Ward and
Barbara could hear him greet Mr.
Morton, speaking his name heartily
Come right into the sitting-room,
Morton. We're there tonight. Mrs.
Ward will be delighted to see you"
Barbara rose and slipped out into
the kitchen as Mr.. Ward and Mr..
Morton reached the end of the hall.
She busted herself with something
there for half an hour. At the end
of that time she heard Mr.. Wards
hearty, strong voice saying good
night TO Morton as he went out into
the hall with him.
After few minutes Barbara came
back into the sitting-room, and taxi
ing her list of names and facts from
the table prepared to go up TO her
room.
Mr.. Ward was saying as she came
in: Morton seemed very dull for
him, don't you think?"
HE is probably very tired with mis-
lecture tour. 1t Is a very exhaust
Ing sort Of"
The front door opened quickly;
Grvn cfan