The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24
Dorothy's Victory
Awarded First Prize in the New Era conte.t
BY MRS. o. s. MITCHELL


ono. away from home influence and
among entire strangers. The year pre-
ceedlng marked the close OF her college
DAYS: What then?
The question which comes to all
graduates naturally presented Itself to
her. What shall / do that ! may
no, be disappointment to my friends
and relativcs?" to remain at home In
the enjoyment OF case would be as un-
satisfactory to herself as 1t would be to
her friends. For many days she care
fully considered the various positions .
woman might I'LL and at last chose the
teachers profession.
But where IL such n position to be
found" was her next question. 1.-THE
eastern schools have long been filled
BY teachers of experience. so l need
not apply here she said. Her only
hope for such employment. she know.
was to be found In the far West. There
fore she began ut once to apply where
ever she was Informed OF vacancies
Like all who solicit such occupation
for the first time. Dorothy experienced
many disappointmcnts. when her ap-
pllcutlons were refused again and again
for various reasons. At last when all
hopes were abandoned she was noti-
fed OF her election to the chair of Eng
llsh and Latin In the high school Mt
Beaver. Catalan county. Washington.
"a long ways from home" she sighed.
but | will GO" Preparations for her
iannFtiIT, mad. NJ Z
was only two weeks until school work
would begin. The day for separation
came all too soon. After few words
OF parting from brothers and sister and
many words OF warning and advice
from mother. Dorothy started on her
long Journey.
Three days and nights had passed
Ing quite worn from her trip she Sc
cured room mt the nearest hotel
where she might rest day or two be-
fore looking for permanent room.
She arranged mer toilet then sat down
to rest and mediate.
Il wonder what this year has In store
for me?" she said half aloud to her
self. To her the very atmosphere OF
the place seemed quite different from
the conservative city she left back in
New England. but she determined to
accustom herself to any and all
changes.
Not many days had passed before
own room and ready to begin work.
She almost tremblcd as she thought of
her new responsibilities. yet made up
her mind to do her best.
Since being among strangers the few
days before beginning her regular work
seemed like weeks. Sunday morning
came at last and Dorothy attended
services both morning and evening as
was her custom at home. When she
returned to her room after the even
Ing service she felt heavy-nearted and
somewhat homesick. Where do the
young people OF this city spend the
Sabbath?" she said. II have seen SO
few In any Of the services today" "lf
l cannot find those OF may age with
whom may associate, l shall become
dreadfully homesick." "How l wish
that l might find them In the church"
The first day OF school came and
passed very pleasantly considering
that 1t was her first experience In the
schoolroom. After she became busy
the days passed more rapidly. School
teaching. she thought, had many pleas
ant as well as unpleasant features.
About the greatest disappointment was
that the students were not as anxious
to excel as she would like to see them
then she thought perhaps she expected
too much Of them considering their
age.
Dorothy proved to be a very indus
trious teacher and her close applica-
tion to the work became very taxing
AS the weeks came to close sns
wished for friends to call. or some
place to go that she might have an
excuse to lay aside her work and rest
How dull the vacations will be and
to have to spend them here among
strangers! what will l do? she
thought. AS Thanksgiving drew near
she began to make plans as to now
she would use her leisure hours u
can do a great deal of reading" she
said. but don't want to read all the
time"
One evening as she was looking over
the daily paper she noticed that u GER
tain society Of the city was to give q
supper Thanksgiving evening. as .
money making scheme, and Afterwards
the evening would be given up to- what
seemed to her. questionable amuse-
ments. She decided to attend the sup
per in the hope of meeting some OF the
young people. and then return to her
room. y linll
This she did and, to her delight met
many who promised to make asreeaDie
companions. During the remainder OF