Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-10-20
Girls Success
~OOO@OO)N

They were brother and sister, Tue
children of an inventor, whose life story
had been the old one of an inventor
woes. the lack of appreciation, the fall
ure of practical acknowledgment OF his
powers, and the struggle with poverty,
which was ended by his early death.
The wife, brave little woman, who
had eaten uncomplainingly the unDut-
tered bread that her husbands EFFORTS
had provided, now set forth, as many
another earnest mother has done, ana
earned, not only bread enough to salts
~ their hunger, but butter with which
to make it palatable.
By the time that Ida-short for
Idaho-was old enough TO study United
States History in the public school,
Mrs. Allan could look with satisfac-
ton around their pleasant home, ana
rejoice in the fact that she had much
to live for.
But about this time she had vague
misgivings, for both Clarence ana
Idaho had evidently inherited their
fathers inventive genius, and all at
once it 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.
Clarence laughed in his boyish fashion
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 a type of the new woman" be
would say. Discovery and invention
are only for masculine intellects. Isn't
that so, JIM" turning to his friend.
.Wen. 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-
ans rights, do not dare to say, but he
proceeded to expatiate upon woman's
mowers 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 70 be fastened on the stoyepipe to
save fuel.
Ida answered before Jim could find
words, thereby saving him much en-
barrassment.
az 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
bic Of inventing something practical
as he was. became her finn conviction
which she longed TO prove.
Her mind dwelt upon the subject, ant
she found that she could not attend Il
her work. as she had heretofore done
Every day she lost grades In hel
studies. and the teachers expressed
their wonder.
Her appetite failed and the night:
brought only restless snatches Of fever
ish sleep. Her mother became anxiou:
and spoke several times of consulting {
physician.
This state Of things could not las
very long. however, and one Frida!
morning Idaho Allan's seat in tht
school room was vacant, a most unusua
occurrence. and Idaho Allan hersel
was locked up in her own room witt
the key on the inside. When 1t wa!
discovered that the girl had no inten
ton of coming down TO breakfast he,
mOlneE ; VOICE WIS uc0Eu. Will que
authority. demanding the reason.
"Oh, mother, do let me fight 1t on
aloner'
what is it. Ida? must know wha
the trouble Is"
Reluctantly, yet su6missively, Id
opened the door.
II have been thinking, mamma" sh
began hesitatingly. and l really mus
get II out Of my head. 1 can't 50 Z
school-don't make me so. mamma, VI
I'll / have tried to work out my Ideas
1t won't amount to anything. 1 know
but l can't stand 1t any longer"
Mrs Allan was wise woman Til
girl Of Is was not to be treated as
child any longer. so she saidi