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

=
Nv 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 Katies
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 / decided to
turn out the closets. began with
yours, daddy"
Very kind, I'm sure Atkins did not
believe in curling 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-
cumulate."
Really? Did you give any awayr'
NO, l was going to call in the jani-
tor and ask if he knew anybody that
needed golf shoes, but I 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 to 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 10 DO mothers cupboard,
too, but 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 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 | Just knew that
any one who wasn't dreadfuny 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 10 drop and nobody had
bought any OF the lovely perfume, toll
let soap or face powder from her.
hadn't a single bit OF my allowance left
and didn't have enough money to buy
cake of soap even. but l made her a
cup Of tea and told her to lie down on
the couch and rest. / covered her with
the silk quilt grandma sent us and she
thought 20 was awfully pretty. Then l
thought Of something splendid, daddy.
l asked her to let me take her bag OF
goods so I could go cut and sell some
things for her"
Great seotu She didn't do it. did
she7"
"Why. yes. after I coaxed her a little.
At first she was surprised at the idea.
but / told her I 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
could say something newer and differ
ent. / told her so, and she said she
thought maybe | could.
what do you think. daddy? I went
out and I'm one hour and a half l sold
1915 worth Of her goods. II was lots
Of fun. Nearly everybody / called on
seemed 20 like TO buy. She was perfect
~ delighted when ! came home and
brought the money 20 her She cried a
little when she left and kissed me good
bye, and 1 told her 10 come around
some other time when she was tired
and ia sell some more things for her
Daddy, don't you think when I gradu-
ate from grammar school I could be q
lady agent instead Of going TO high
school? ia just love to help you by
earning money that way. The lady
agent said she guessed I had a special
gift for the business. Can't 1 do II.
daddy
Atkins laughed a little huslSily 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. I want
you 20 explain about the initiative. ref
Crendum and recall. I've got to tell the
class tomorrow morning"
"Phewt' whistled Atkins as that
all / have 10 do?" lie strolsed Doro-
thys dark curls. Il think I'd better re-
call your mother. We need a larger ref
erendum, for some Of us certainly have
a startling quantity Of initiative"