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

kkVX 7 ELL. dear, how did you get
wv along to-day?" asked At
kins, complacently, feeling
that this nightly question fulfilled his
promise to hts wife to look after DoFo-
thy very carefully during her mothers
absence from home.
'Oh, fine, daddy. This was Katie's
day out, so 1 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 decided to
turn out the closets. 1 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
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 jani-
tor and ask if he knew anybody that
| needed golf shoes, but l 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. I
didn't have time to put them away be-
cause the lady agent came, but you can
sleep in the guest room tonight and to-
morrow Katie car, 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 l had to give up my time to
/ the lady agent She came when was
| in the midst of things and at first / felt
| cross. but when L saw how tired she
was l felt sorry for her. Oh, daddy. she
was awfully trembly and she had thin,
/ yellowish white hair and she wore hor-
/ rid black cotton gloves. She said she
| was lady agent, but l Just knew that
| any one who wasn't dreadfuuy poor
wouldn't ever wear such ugly gloves
/ They made me feel sorrier for her than
anything else.
She said she had walked all day till
she was ready to 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 1 didn't have enough money to buy
a cake of soap even. but I made her q
| cup of tea and told her to lie down on
/ the couch and rest. l covered her with
/ the silk quilt grandma sent us and she
| thought It was awfully pretty. Then
| thought Of something splendid. daddy
/ / asked her to let me take her bag Of
| goods so I could go out and sell some
things for her"
Great Scott! She didn't do it, did
she?'
why, yes. after coaxed her a little
! At first she was surprised at the idea,
[ but / told her / could talk about the
merits OF her wares Just as well as she
| could. Merits Of the wares and 'ster-
! Ling quality'-thOse were the things she
/ said over and over again. and l knew /
! could say something newer and differ
/ ent / told her so. and she said she
] thought maybe 1 could.
/ out and i'm one hour and a half ] sold
| S3.75 worth Of her goods. 1t was lots
| Of fun Nearly everybody l called on
seemed to like to buy. She was perfect
| ly delighted when / came home and
| brought the money TO her She cried a
| little when she left and kissed me good
| bye. and / told her to come around
some other time when she was tired
and I'd sell some more things for her.
l Daddy. don't you think when / gradu-
ate from grammar school / could be a
| lady agent instead Of going to high
SCHOOL, I'd 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 / do il.
daddy"
Atkins laughed a little huskily as he
drew his daughter closer.
wen have TO hold the matter in
allegiance" he said gravely.
Il don't know what that means.
daddy. But that reminds me- want
YOU to explain about the initiative, ref
erendum and recall. I've got to tel the
class tomorrow morning"
"Phew," whistled Atkins. as that
all / have 10 do?" He strol1ed Doro-
thy's dark curls. II think I'd better re-
call your mother. We need a larger ref
erendum. for some Of US certainly havs
a startling quantity Of Initiative"