The Mena weekly star., 1907-02-28
MARIETTA'S PA

Marietta got urea oI SchOOi- was 17 and there was no use that sne could see in going to school forever as she didn't propose to teacn. one declared that she would be anytning rather than teacher.
 Then you'll have to do something, said Marietta's pa, firmly. can afford to buy clothes for you and fur nish you with spending money, Your mother hasn't had a new suit this year. She would be willing to wear her old rags and give the money to YOU and you'd be willing-whats that! You hope you're not selfish? never saw a 17-year-old that wasn't selfish. That's the nature of youth. Was that way? Of course l was. But the point is that you'll have to go to work and earn your keep.
 This was a long speech for Mariet- ta's pa. He is a quiet and subdued man. who works faithfully for his st 800 year. He has reached the top and is expecting within a year or two to start on the long, downward road which leads to the shelf Perhaps this accounted for his touch of bitterness. Marietta. who is good girl as often 1 as she happens to remember Tn tune, promised to go to work
 1 q can get job down at the bindery, ] where Mayme works" she declared. "She gets so much a thousand--i think it's ten cents, for folding books l and papers and things.
 @I'm not going to let you be bind cry girl" said Marietta's pa. grufiiy. You'd make s6 a week after you learned the trade--oesides-w that won't do"
 He hurried away to work and Ma rietta began to look around and make inouiries. That evening she met her pa at the door, gleefully.
 I've got place, pa.~ All I've got to do is to address envelopes and l get s125 a thousand. I am fast writer and can make lots of money. Sadie works down there and she hardly ever gets less than S10 a week They've got about 50 girls and are needing more Sadie's promised to take me with her in the morning. She knows the manager real we'll
 I'm not going to have any girl of mine work in any such place" said Mariettas pa, frowning, as he took of his hat and overcoat in the hall
 Whats the matter with that place, pa?"
 .fc fpfc fhaa a he said, evasively. How do we know but what some of those 50 girls-any- way that's just like regular factory work I'm not going to let you do it, It's a back-breaking thing to write names all day"
 Marietta smiled to herself, but said nothing more as her pa went into the dining room She was beginning to understand.
 After supper, while he was looking over the paper she got the advertise ment section and studied it diligently Presently she went over and pulled her pas paper out of his hand and sat on his knee.
 Look there, pa.' she exclaimed pointing a slim finger at the female help wanted column. One depart ment store is advertising for girls in the cloak department and another wants girls in the notions, and there are four others all-"
 Marietta's pa. who had thrown his arm fondly about her waist when she first came over, now interrupted her rudely. He pushed the paper away and made her get up.
 Would you let this little innocent child go to work in one of those de partment stores? Would you, I say? He glared across the table savagely al Mariettas ma. That good woman looked at him in astonishment but be fore she could reply Marietta's pa got up and left the room. They could hear him slam the front door as he went out
 There were tears in mas eyes, but Marietta laughed as she put her arms around the woman's neck.
 You needn't think pas gone crazy, for he hasn't ma. You just don't un- herstand him"
 What does the man mean?'
 He was just buffing about, wanting me to go to work" said Marietta, laughing again, with suspicion of tears in her voice. Pas such a goose. He thinks I'm too precious to go out into the cruel world and work. Bless his heart He'd like to have me take job as princess somewhere if there was one open in some good Christian kingdom where I wouldn't be exposed to any giddy temptations. "
 The next day Marietta offered to go 10 work in candy factory and at a nail order house and her no ~~