Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-15
A Girls Success


Iney were DrOtner ana SISTER, lu'
children of an inventor, whose life story
had been the old one of an inventor
woes, the lack of appreciation, the fail
ure Of practical acknowledgment of hi!
powers, and the struggle with poverty
which was ended by his early death.
The wife, brave little woman, who
had eaten uncOmplainingly the unbut
tered bread that her husbands efforts
another earnest mother has. done, ano
earned, not only bread enough to salts
fly their hunger, but butter with which
to make it palatable.
By the time that Ida-shOrt fol
Idaho-was old enough to study United
States History in the public school
Mrs. Allan could look with satisfac
ton around their pleasant home, ano
rejoice in the fact that she had much
to live for.
But about this time she had vague
misgivings, for both Clarence ano
Idaho had evidently inherited theil
fathers inventive genius, and all at
once 1t seemed to develop.
Clarence, who was approaching the
final year of his high School course,
could scarcely give sufficient time and
attention to his studies to pass his ex
aminations creditably, while Ida, who
had not yet entered the academic de
partment, found the passion contagious
l. t. Itch EOS Tor
at his quaint, quiet little sister, and
more than once hurt her feelings by his
frankness.
Girls are beginning to think they
can do anything that boys can. They
are type of the new woman" he
would say discovery and invention
are only for masculine iptellects. Isn't
that so, Jim?' turning to his friend.
well l don't KNOW" answered jim
who privately admired Idaho Allan i'm
mensely.
: Whether her presence biased Jim's
Judgment on this topic, or whether he
was, from principle, champion of wom-
ms rights, do not dare to say, but he
proceeded to expatiate upon woman's
powers and the recognition that the
world was beginning to give them.
.Do YOU mean to say" said Clarence
scornfully, that you really think a girl,
saw Ida. for instance, is capable of In
venting anything equal to this?'
And he held up for inspection his
work for the time being a wonderful
construction of perforated tin, which
was TO be fastened on the stovepipe to
save fuel.
Ida answered before Jim could find
words, thereby saving him much en-
barrasSment.
81 doubt whether l am capable of
ANYTHING equal to that, but If you would
lessen the angle of the upper wing, you
would find that you had improved your
device"
Clarence saw that the girls sugges-
ton was good one, and he lapsed into
silence. while Jim laughed.
For long time afterwards, this mat
ter weighed on Idaho Allan's mind. She
had only slight faith in Clarence's In
genuity, and that she was just as capa-
BILE of inventing something practical
as he was, became her firm conviction
which she longcd 70 prove.
Her mind dwelt upon the subject, and
she found that she could not attend TO
her work. as she had heretofore done
Every day she lost grades Ill her
studies, and the teachers expressed
their wonder.
Her appetite failed and the nights
brought only restless snatches Of fever.
ish sleep. Her mother became anxious
and spoke several times of consulting 9
physician.
This state of things could not last
very long. however, and one Friday
morning Idaho Allan's seat in the
school room was vacant, most unusual
occurrence, and Idaho Allan herself
was locked up In her own room with
the key on the inside. When ii was
discovered that the girl had no inten
ton of coming down TO breakfast her
mothers voice was heard, with quiet
authority, demanding the reason.
"Oh, mother, do let me fight 1t out
alonei''
What is it, Ida? I must know what
the trouble Is"
Reluctantly, yet submissively, Ida
opened the door.
Il have been thinking, mamma" she
began hesitatingly, land I really must
get It out Of my head. can't so to
school-don't make me 60 mamma. IN.
til l have tried to work out my ideas
1t won't amount to anything, I know
but can't stand it any longer"
Mrs. Allan was a wise woman. This
girl Of 10 was not to be treated as 8
child any longer, so she said: