Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-22
Copyright by James Elverson.

MV1 AM just about discouraged" Meta
HN1 ! Andrews exclaimed, impatiently, as
kMk4 she entered the house after long
ARMNOk walk, and put box down upon the
49, table. 81 tell you, Dora, if you
really want to know what you are
good for, you must try to earn your living at
something; then you'll discover what your
accomplishments are actually worth In dol
lars and cents l was under the impression
that was well educated, accomplished girl,
who could turn her hand to almost anything
and succeed; but now, when | want to put
my requirements to some practical use / find
that cannot do anything well enough to be
paid for it. My music will do very well for
my own amusement, and my placques will an
sWer to decorate our own walls, but no one
else wants them. Even this one that you
thought would be so irresistible that would
straightway get orders enough for others like
1t to make our fortunes, has been politely
oh, yes, very politely declined with thanks
by Mr. Bateman. | don't blame him. l sup
pose be knows il won't sell, and SO he doesn't
want to raise false hopes. He said in his
pleasantest way, that | knew how it was; so
many people d.. their own art work, nova
days, that there was but poor market for
really good painting. lie tried to comfort
PLAGUE was the really artistic work which
was not appreciated by the masses. 1t was
very kind of him, for everybody does not
take the same trouble to soften things. But
cLhi thC ldtJ IClHdluSy he WOu Duy my
placques, nor will any one else. No one wants
me to teach their children, nor can find
any one who wishes to take embroidery les
sons, and | don't suppose | could even get a
place to take care. Of children, if tried for
that. 1t is rather humiliating to find out that
there is not place for one in the world of
workers"
Il think it is just shame" her sister ex-
claimed sympathizingly. II have seen lots of
paintings for sale that are not nearly as good
as yours, and 1 am sure you play better than
Miss Bakely, and she has ever SO many pupils.
Don't get discouraged, Meta You will get
something to do that will pay you well before
long. 1t always takes time to find out ones
vocation and get started"
.'T am finding that out" Meta replied. "Oh,
] nearly forgot that | had an errand to do
for Mr. Bateman. will be back again before
long, Dora, and then l will get to work at
the mending basket; for, as there isn't any
prospect of our ever having money enough TO
buy new things, we will have to make the old
ones last as long as we can"
Her walk was not very long one, and she
soon reached the handsome house where Mrs
Tower lived, and delivered the : message
which she had offered to carry for Mr.. Bate
man.
The only daughter of the house had been
married the day before, and Mr. Bateman
had engaged to send man to pack the we'd
ding presents for transportation to, her new
home
Much to his annoyance, the man had been
detained at home by sickness, and Mr.. Bate
man was obliged to send an excuse, and prom
ise that the packer should come as soon as he
was able to do the work.
Meta was ushered up to the lady's pretty
morning room, and through the open door
she caught glimpses of fairyland of cut glass
and cleaning silver and rare bronzes. She
wished that she might have an opportunity to
look at the presents, of which she had read
in the paper, but she did not like to ask, SO
she simply delivered her message.
"It is too provoking for anything" Mrs.
Tower exclaimed, with frown of annoy
ance. 'It is very necessary that the packing
should be done today as I expect to go away