The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-09-16
WITH
MODERN
IMPROVEMENTS.
BY CAR LL-wATsoN-RANKIN.

ut is precisely as ] feared, Ade-
laide," said the girls uncle, rising
somewhat YEARLY from the papers he
had been sorting on the dining-room
table. when all the bills are paid,
suppose we should be thankful that
your father left you free from debt.
OF course, as I'm situated"
81 shall get along splendidly," re-
turned Adelaide, with commendable
pride and courage. I'm not afraid,
and you needn't worry about me. I'm
nineteen, I'm through school, and |
know of at least two positions that
are mine for the asking. If l can't
earn a living any other way, / can
wash dishes for my board"
"Oh, you'll never need to do that
returned Adelaide's sole surviving
relative, seriously.
81 know sha'nt. l could earn two
livings if had to-"
I'm glad you're so confident; but
IL you SHOuluH l.
But SHALL" declared Adelaide,
her chin elevated, her shoulders erect.
"By this time tomorrow shall be oc-
cupying a salaried position, boarding
with Mrs. Hill, and glorying in my
independence"
Sure enough, the morrow found
Adelaide drawing maps in an import
ant real estate Office. Never was
there a more enthusiastic clerk; nev-
er was real estate business studied
so perseveringly; never did novice
learn so speedily.
Yet at the end of eight weeks Ade-
laioe, who sincerely believed that her
services had been of unusual benefit
to Gore & Pelham, was paid an extra
months salary-and dismissed. "But
why?' she demanded, in her surprise.
p Il really can't tell you!" stammered
Mr.. Pelham. 81 don't exactly know.
Mr.. Gore perhaps"
\ But the senior partner likewise
weakly waived the question, suggest.
Ing that Mr. Pelham might perhaps
explain.
Adelaide secured another entirely
desirable position within the week;
ones first impression of Adelaide was
always favorable. But in spite of un-
firing industry, this place, too, failed
her at the end of the second month.
Again no reason was given; again her
employer was vague and polite, but
his parting smile was slightly satiri-
cal.
The third place lasted just six
weeks. Mild, easy-going Judge Whit
ney said, with apparent regret, tha,
he guessed he would be his own clerk
for a while. Oh, yes, Miss Adelaide
had done all and more-in fact, a
great deal more than he had asked.
Yes, indeed, she was punctual, indus
trious, accurate, clever II she need
ed letters, call on him, by all means.
He wished her all success, but-gooi-
by!
Four more Offices welcomed Ade-
laide Four more employers discov-
cred very speedily that it was pos
siblc-and decidedly more comfortable
Ito exist without this clever, enter
prising young womans aid
The morning after her polite dis
missal from the city treasurer's Office
found Adelaide perched ON a high
stool in what was known as Gray's
store. She was keeping hooks for
Thomas Gray & Company. This en-
tirely respectable mercantile business
of fifty years standing had been es-
tablished by "old" Thomas Gray. T.
now belonged to young" Thomas
Gray; but young" Thomas was fully
sixty years of age, and his ways were
even more antiquated than his faith
er's had been. He thoroughly disliked
what he called new tangled notions
yet because of his answering honesty
and kindness, he stood high in pub
lie estimation. People wondered
when he installed a bookkeeper.
'It's because. I'm a relic Of the
past confided Adelaide to her friend,
Rose Miller. "He went to school with
father, so I'm thereby connected with
his won generation. He likes that
generation best; but intend to make
a few changes when ] get my work
to going smoothly. Why, we're way
behind the times! The firms on a
splendid footing financially, but nc
body would know II to look at us.