Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-14
BORN TO SERVE
BY Charles N. Sheldon,
A1sao g Of IN 11s STEPS, ""{oaN KINGS
BLAKE Etc.
CONTINUED.
Copyright, 1900. by Charles II. sheldon-)

But Mrs. Ward was thoroughly
@ired out with a succession of disap-
pointments in experiences with girls
who were incompetent, ungrateful
and dishonest. The suggestion to her
anind of good, honest, capable wom-
An in kitchen and house who could
Telieve her of the pain of daily
Arudgery was suggestion of such re-
def that she knew it came to her that
her decision was almost made up to
take Barbara even if the circum-
stances in the girls life were strange
and unusual. Barbara suddenly
Aelped her to make the decision final.
. "Of course, I am ready to be taken
on trial. At the end of week or a
emonth, if you are not satisfied, I shall
expect you to say so, and that will
end it,"
How much do you expect week?''
Mrs. Ward asked, slowly.
Barbara colored. She had never
been asked the question before
II dent know Perhaps you cannot
4ell until you find out how much am
worth to you"
''Shall we say four dollars to begin
with? We have paid more than that
-but-'
II will begin on that" replied Bar
sbara, quietly. Nov, of course, if
come, you will let me know exactly
what my duties are, so that there
may be no mistakes on my part"
Barbara had good deal of shrewd
business sense inherited from her IA
ther.
-'Of course" replied Mrs. Ward, al
most sharply.
'About my staying in the house."
began Barbara Il would much prefer
TO 20 home at night, to be with my
mother."
Idon't think that can be managed"
Mrs. Ward spoke with some irritation.
I'll shall need you in the evening very
often"
I'VE can arrange that after I come"
Barbara spoke gently again. THAT is,
1t am to come"
''Yes-yes"- Ward looked at
Barbara very sharply-"yes, you can
come on trial; am glad to get any
@one."
Barbara colored again, and the 9TH
Ut woman Sd" IL.
''Of course, did not mean-Im meant
an just about discouraged over my
housekeeping, and I am nearly down
adck over it,
II am very sorry" replied Barbara,
sEravely. Mrs. Ward looked at her
doubtfully. 1t was one woman's SYM
pathy for another spoken in four short
words, but the older woman had had
her faith in servants so rudely broken
10 many times that she could not at
once accept the sympathy as real. She
kept coldly silent as Barbara rose.
'*Shall come in the morning?" she
asked.
eyes, say nine o'clock"
II will bring Prof. Whites letters
then"
Mamma" cried Carl, at that mo-
ment appearing at the head of the
stairs, Lewis wants to know if that
hired girl is going to-
There was mufled cry from the
bedroom upstairs as Carl suddenly dis
appeared, dragged back into the room
by the older brother. Barbara smiled,
T.,
saying to herself as she went down the
steps: "After all, the dragon was not
70 bad as I feared. feel rather sorry
Tor the dragon keeper. Mrs. Ward her.
Self,' on whose character and prob
able behavior, together with that of
her family, Barbara gravely dwelt as
she walked home.
She grew quite animated as she told
her mother the story of her adventures
30 far. The matter of staying with
1her mother evenings was a subject Of
earnest discussion. Both agreed that
1t must be managed if possible. Bar
bara went over the interview and gave
her mother the best possible picture
of Mrs. Ward.
II am sure we shall get on very well.
saShe is a tired-out woman, irritable be-
cause of her nerves. But am sure she
Us good woman when she is well,'
barbara concluded, innocently. "The
~children will bother me, I have no
doubt. But know I can get on.
f. saw only one child. He has roguish
face, but not bad at all. Oh, the dragon
Is not what he's painted, mother"
mot yet" said Mrs. Clark, in
prophecy.
"No, not yet," answered Barbara,
scheerfully. She felt almost light
hearted to think she had position,
even if it was only that of servant.
Yet she had herself said many times
during her college course in the study
of social economics that service was
noble thing. And, as she went up to
her room that night after long and
tender conference with her mother, in
which the two had grown nearer to-
Fether than ever before, she seemed
to call to mind the many passages of
the New Testament which speak of
Jesus not only as household servant
but even as a ''bond servant" And it
came to her with heaven-born courage
that if the Son of God became ''full
+ grown" through His sufferings en-.