Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-08-16

tehI servant, ana TOOK up his day
work with its usual routine without
the least expectation that any reply
would come from his advertisements
1t would therefore, have given him
peculiar sense Of interest in the flu
ture, If at about six o'clock that even.
ing, as he went out of his office and
with strange reluctance started for
his home, he could have seen in a
house not two blocks from his own
n young woman eagerly reading the
advertisement and talking TO an old
er woman in a strangely subdued, but
at the same time positive, manner
concerning it.
Barbara, what you say is impos-
sible! 1t is so strange that no one
but yourself would ever have
thought of it. You must give up any
such plan"
The young woman listened thought
fully, holding a newspaper in her
hand; and, as she looked up from IT,,
the older woman had finished
AT the same time. mother, will YOU
tell me something better to do?"
There are a thousand things. ANY
thing except this"
But what, mother? | have tried
for everything. Our friends" cher lip
curled little as she said the world
have all tried. No one seems TO
need me unless it is this family. Here
seems 10 be a real need. 1t will be
unselfish, mother don't You think, to
/ do something 20 fiji real demand.
instead of always begging for
chance TO make a living somewhere ."
She took up the paper and read the
advertisement slowly.
"Wanted-A competent girl to do genera,
house work good cook. able 10 take
charge OF the house keeping for family
oil hFe. American girl preferred. Good
wages. Apply at once TO Richard Ward
No. SO Hamilton street"
Il call it a good opening, mother.
And it's only two blocks from here.
And | seem to fiji all the require
ments. l am competent / am
good cook l am an American girl
And l am able to apply at once be-
cause | have nothing else TO DO. SO
l do not see why l should not walk
right over and secure the place before
some one else gets it,"
She rose from her seat. and the
mother turned an appealing face to-
wards her.
barbara! you shall do no such
crazy thing. At least, you shall not
with my consent 1t is madness for
you TO throw yourself away. To
think of my daughter becoming
hired girl,' Barbara. it is cruel OF
you even 10 suggest il. 1t is part
OF your college foolishness. You have
been testing with me"
NO, mother. dear, have not" Bar
bara walked over TO where her moth
er had beer sitting. and kneeled
down by her, putting her hands in
her mothers hands. and looking af-
fectionately up to her.
NO, mother, l am not testing. I
am very much in earnest. Look at
me! Barbara Clark. age 81; graduate
Mount Holyoke. Member of church
and Christian Endeavor society. Plen-
ty of good health. No money. Edu-
Gated for teacher. No influence
with the powers that be TO secure
a position. At home, dependent on
and a burden to" here Mrs. Clark |
put hand on the speakers mouth |
and barbara gently removed the |
hand-"a burden 10 a good mother |
who has no means besides a small 1
legacy, daily growing smaller, and the
interest on an insurance
fund that is badly invested in west
ern land. There's my biography up
to date. Do you wonder that / want
to be doing something to be making
some money, even if it is only little.
TO be breadwinner, even if"
But 10 be a hired girl Barbara!
Do you realize what IL means? Why.
il means social loss. il means drop
ping out of the circle of good society.
IL means daily drudgery of the hard
est kind, ii means going to the bot
tom of the ladder, and always staying
there! And you, Barbara, of all
girls, fitted to teach. an exceptionally
good student, bright and capable. o.
how does it happen that girls who
are your interiors have secured good ,
positions and you have not succeed I
.d?"
Pulls" said Barbara, briefly. I
Mrs Clark looked troubled as =
hat college slang?" r.
"No. mother. Political. I mean that ?
he other girls have had influence. II
'ather were alive"
"Ah. Barbara, il your father were
wing. there would be no talk of {
-our going TO work in kitchen. And {
'ou shall not 60. either IL is the J.
leight Of absurdity to think Of IT,"
"But, mother" Barbara began, after I
moments silence, do you realize /
he facts, the plain, homely facts, of
'ur existence? Every day you are g
lrawing on Uncle Wills legacy, and
iext months rent and grocery bill n
will eat a large hole in il. / have c