Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-01-10

CHAPTER I.-CoNT1NUED.
<'But even from a money point of
view, mother, such position as this is
not to be despised. If my services are
satisfactory, I can get $4.75 or even
five dollars week, and my board and
lodging and washing and other Incl
dentals thrown in. Suppose I had a
position as stenographer in one of
the Offices downtown. I could not pos
sibly command over $50 month. Out
of that take my board, lodging, wash
ing, clothes, etc. And l could not pos
sibly save out of it over ten dollars a
month. Whereas, working out at
service, I could save twice that much
In actual wages. If I go into Bond.
mans store, for instance, as a sales
clerk, / cannot get over five dollars
week, out of which I must board, lodge
and dress myself. Mother, I have
thought it all out, and 1 feel that L
must go in answer to this advertise
ment. I don't mind the social stigma.
] do mind the bitterness of living in
ialeness at home. Let, me do some
thing useful if it is only for little
while. / am sure a servant can be
useful"
cit is dreadful thought to me,
Barbara" said Mrs. Clark with sigh.
81 never dreamed that a child of mine
would ever be a hired girl!'' =
"Say Servant mother. Servant is
a mobile word. Christ was a servant.
Don't you remember DR.. Laws sermon
on that word last Sunday?"
The girl spoke lightly, not knowing
herself the depth of the truth she
stated, and yet her mother started and
sshrunk back almost as if the words
Were sacrilege. 1t is possible, how
ever, that the Older woman caught
some glimpse of that great Light in
the social life of men; for, when she
spoke again, it was with yielding to
Barbara's wish that was new to her.
81 don't understand you, Barbara.
If only the money that your father
saved for generalization had been
more wisely invested, we might-but
it is too late to think of that now. 1t
is the thought that you are throwing
away your preparation for life on
something beneath you that makes me
oppose this. But if,you do go from this
other motive, that changes matters
somewhat"
"Of course it does, motheri Let me
go. I should not be happy to go with
out your consent. 1 will do this: will
go for a trial. This is probably the
only way I can go, anyhow. But, il
after a reasonable time find it is i'm
possible for me to continue, if even my
dream of any possible service to so
ciety turns out to be ridiculous or fool
ish, 1 will come back and-and-be
burden to you again, mother, until
find out what I am good for in thi:
world.'
1T is only on some such condition
that 1 am at all willing to. have yo,
take this step, Barbara" said hel
mother, reluctantly, as Barbara ros'
and stood up by her for a moment il
silence. She0suddenly stopped AM
Kissed her mother, and then walked
over to the window and looked at hel
watch.
''After six. 1 mighteas well go RICH
over there now"
''They will ask you for references,
the mother spoke up, nervously, al
ready doubling the wisdom of tn
whole affair.
Barbara resolutely gathered up he
courage.
Il have Prof. Whites letter-th
Chautauqua summer, mother, I cal
take those" Barbara referred to
summers experience when in compan
with several seniors from the colleg
she had served as head waiter an
housekeeper at a large hotel in stat
Chautauqua assembly.
''They are good as far as theygo."
''Yes, mother,0and I am sure the
will go far enough in this case. Thi
family" Barbara picked up the pa
per and read the advertisement agai
to get the street number correctly
sis in crying need of help. They wi
not drive me away without a tria
references or no references"
Mrs. Clark did not reply, but locke
and felt very anxious. o
1t was serious step in her daugl
teE,s life and under any circumstance