Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-11
Dorothy S Initia-
tive


wv along tO-day?'' asked At
kins, complacently. feeling
that this nightly question fulfilled his
promise to his wife to look after Doro-
thy very carefully during her mothers
absence from home.
"Oh, fine. daddy. This was Kat e's
day out, so l came home from school
early to keep house"
Did you find that the fiat needed
much keeping, Dot?'
We'll, you know, mother always
takes the maids day out to look into
the corners. as she says. so I decided to
turn out the closets. l began with
yours. daddy"
Very kind, I'm sure" Atkins did not
believe in curbing a child's desire for
helpfulness, but in spite of himself his
tone was more anxious than grateful
Il took all your clothes down and
brushed them hard and sorted your
shoes"
Sorted my shoes"
Yes, you've got so awfully many.
thought some should be given away.
Mother says we shouldn't let things ac-
emulate"
Really? Did you give any away ~
mo. was going to call in the janl-
tor and ask if he knew anybody that
needed golf shoes, but | was inter-
rupted."
Atkins looked relieved. Don't give
anything away dear. without consulting
me- he said. I'VE can look them
over"
Yes they're all out on your bedroom
floor, where you can see them easy
didn't have time 10 put them away be-
cause the lady agent came. but you can
sleep in the guest room tonight and to-.
morrow Katie can scrub the closet floor
and put all your things away"
You are quite a manager. Dot"
Il was going To do mothers cupboard.
too, but | had to give up my time to
the lady agent She came when I was
in the midst of things and al first ] felt
cross but when ! saw how tired she
was ! felt sorry for her on. daddy she
was awfully trembly and she had thin.
yellowish white hair and she wore hor-
rid black cotton gloves She said she
was a lady agent, but ] just knew that
any one who wasn't dreadfully poor
wouldn't ever wear such ugly gloves
They made me feel sorrier for her thah
anything else.
she said she had walked all day tin
she was ready 10 drop and nobody had
bought any Of the lovely perfume, tot
let soap or face powder from her !
hadn't a single bit Of my allowance left
and | didn't have enough money to buy
a cake of soap even, but / made her a
cup Of tea and told her to lie down ON
the couch and rest I covered her with
the silk quilt grandma sent US and she
thought il was awfully pretty. Then /
thought of something splendid, daddy.
! asked her to let me take her bag of
goods so ] could 20 out and sell some
things for her"
Great Scott She didn't do it, did
/ she7'-
"Whv. yes. after I coaxed her Little
| Al first she was surprised at the idea
but / told her I could talk about the
merits of her wares tust as well as she
/ could. Merits Of the wares and 'ster-
/ ling quality'-those We're the things she
said over and over again, and I knew I
could say something newer and differ
ent. | told her 50, and she said she
7 thought maybe | could.
What do YOU think daddy / went
out and in one hour and half / sold
S3.I5 worth Of her goods II was lots
of fun. Nearly everybody ! called on
seemed To like 10 buy She was perfect
~ delighted when { came home aud
brought the money to her. She cried a
little when she left and kissed me good
bye, ana / told her 10 come around
some other time when she was tired
and I'd sell some more things for her
Daddy, don't you think when ! gTadu-
ate from grammar school ] could be a
lady agent instead Of going 10 high
SCHOOL, ia just love TO help you by
earning money that way. The lady
agent said she guessed ! had a special
gift for the business. can't I do H.
daddy"
Atkins laughed little huskily as he
drew his daughter closer
wen have TO hold the matter in
allegiance he said gravelN
II don't know what that means
daddy. But that reminds me 7 want
YOU to explain about the initiative, ref
erendum and recall I've got to tell the
class tomorrow morning
"phcw," whistled Atkins us that
all I have 20 do?' He strOked Uoro-
rhy's dark curls. II think I'd better re-
call your mother. We need a larger ref
urendum. for some Of US certainly have
q startling quantity of initiative"