Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-08-23

smiling at the child, who continued tC
look at her gravely. If dragons are
TO be met, why not with a smile?
"Wil you please tell your mamma
I would like to see her? Tell her
have come 10 see if she wants "a
"A hired girl?" asked Carl sudden
ly, for il was he.
"Yes." continued Barbara, smiling;
"tell her hired girl wants to ses
her"
"All right" said Carl, slowly. He
left Barbara standing awkwardly in
the hall and started upstairs 10 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: flush" 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
there, and Mrs. Ward sat down, say
ing: Wont you take a seat?" look
ing at Barbara closely as she did so.
Thank you" said Barbara, quiet
ly. II have come in answer TO your
advertisement in the evening news"
Yes" said Mrs. Ward, slowly.
"Are you-do you think you can do
our work."
IT think So" replied Barbara, mod
estly.
"Can you take charge and go on
without being told how 10 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 nv
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 a suspicion Of Bar
bara.
"No, ] have never worked ont as a
servant in a private family. ] have
been n waiter and cook and house
keeper one summer season at Lake
View Chautauqua. The only refer
ences I have are from Prof. White,
who had charge Of the assembly that
year"
Prof. Carol Burns White?"
eyes, ma'am. OF Waldeau acad.
envy"
HE was my son Alfred's teacher
enough" Mrs. Ward spoke eagerly,
looking at Barbara even more keenly.
"But you are not IA servant girl?"
81 am. if you decide TO take me-"
replied Barbara, calmly.
Mrs. Ward looked at the girl
thoughtfully. 81 do not think-we-
you are not Of the class of servants
am used 10. May ask, is it-may
I ask how you came to be seeking
this work?"
Certainly" replied Barbara, cheer
fully. II have tried TO secure other
places, and have failed. l think can
suit you as a servant. I"
Barbara hesitated. She thought IL
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.
Il
an unusual situation. The girl had
given enough evidence Of being all
right, especially if Prof. Whites rec
ommendation was good one. At the
same time, there was great risk in
hiring a person of Barbara's evident
education and refinement. How far
would she want 10 become one Of the
family? What relations would have
10 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 suggestion of such re-
lief that she knew II came 20 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 10 make the decision final.
"Of course, am ready to be taken
on trial At the end Of week or
month, if you are not satisfied, shall
expect you 10 say so, and that will
end it,"
How much do you expect a 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 / am
worth TO you"
"Shall we say four dollars 10 begin
with? We have paid more than that
but"
81 will begin on that" replied Bar
bara, quietly. Now. OF course, If
come, you will let me know exactly
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