Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-07-10

the firm of Mead, Ward and Company.
He sent in to three of the leading
evening papers carefully worded
advertisement asking for a compe-
tent servant, and took up his days
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 i'm 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
house not two blocks from his own
young woman eagerly reading the
advertisement and talking to an old
er woman in 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 anv
such plan"
The young woman listened thought
fully, holding newspaper in her
hand; and. as she looked up from il
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? I have tried
for everything. Our friends" cher lip
curled little as she said the word1
have all tried. No one seems to
- :. IL:
seems TO be "a real need. 1t will be
unselfish, mother, don't you think, to
do something to fill "A real demand.
instead of always begging for a
chance to make a living somewhere ?"
She took up the paper and read the
advertisement slowly.
"Wanted-A competent girl to do genera;
housework. \ good cook. able to take
charge OF the housekeeping for family
OF hve 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 fill all the require
ments. / am competent ! am a
good cook 1 am an American girl
And | am able to apply at once be-
%.
| do not see why | 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 grill Barbara, it is cruel of
you even to suggest it. 1t is a part
Of your college foolishness You have
been testing with me-"
mo, 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 at
fectionately up to her.
mo. mother, | am not jes ting. I
am very much in earnest. Look at
me. Barbara Clark. age 21: graduate
Mount HolyoKe. Member Of church
and Christian Endeavor society. Plcn-
~ Of good health. No money. Edu-
Gated for teacher. No influence
with the powers that he to secure
a position. At home. dependent on
and burden to" here Mrs. Clark
put a hand on the speakers mouth
and Barbara gently removed the
| hand-"a burden to a good mother
who has no means besides n small
| legacy, daily growing smaller, and the
| diminutive 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 10 be making
some money, even il il is only little.
10 be a breadwnner, even if"
But to 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 drudgcry Of the hard
est kind, il means going 20 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
/ ed?"
Pulls" said Barbara, briefly.
Mrs. Clark looked troubled "Is
that college slanR?"
"No. mother. Political / mean that
the other girls have had influence. II
father were alive a."
"Ah. Barbara, II your father were
living, there would be- no talk OF
your going 20 work i'm a kitchen. And
you shall not 90, either II is the
height Of absurdity 10 think Of it,"
"But, mother" Barbara began. after
a moments silence. edo YOU realize
the facts. the plain, homcly facts. OF
our existence? Every day you are
drawn IN Uncle Wits legacy. and
next his rent and grocery bill
wi 40 large hole i'm it. I have
. bee 8 whole year at home. living In