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

kNX 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 Doro-
thy very carefully during her mothers
absence from home
ooh, 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?"
well, you know. mother always
takes the maids day out to look into
the corners. as she says, so 1 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 yohr clothes down and
brushed them hard and sorted your
shoes"
Sorted my shoes"
Yes. you've got so awfulIy many,
thought some should be given away
Mother says we shouldn't let things ac-
cumulate."
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 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"
/ II was going to do mothers cupboard.
too. but l had to give up my time to
the lady agent. She came when I was
/ in the midst of things and at first I felt
/ cross. but when l saw how tired she
was I 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 a lady agent, but / 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 . Jay TIL
/ 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
I and / didn't have enough money to buy
a cake Of soap even. but l made her a
Q affr srF tan s.IV a., -
/ the couch and rest / covered her with
the silk quilt grandma sent us and she
| thought It was awfully pretty. Then I
/ thought OF something splendid. daddy.
/ asked her 10 let me take her bag Of
goods 50 ! could go out and sell some
things for her"
Great Scott! She didn't do IL. did
she7"
"Why. yes. after coaXed her little.
| At first she was surprised at the iGes-
| but 1 told her l 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 1 knew |
| could say something newer and differ
| ent / told her so, and she said she
J thought maybe I could.
/ what do you think. daddy? l went
\ out and In one hour and half / sold
] 90 90 WI All VI AAfl hUNdd- II was ANAH
| Of fun. Nearly everybody ! 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 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 l gradu-
ate from grammar school / could be a
| lady agent instead Of going TO high
\ sChool2 I'd just love to help you BY
| earning money that way. The lady
l agent said she guessed / had a special
( gift for the business. Can't / do II.
daddy"
I Atkins laughed "a little huskily as he
drew his daughter closer.
wen have to hold the matter in
allegiance" he said gravely.
II don't know what that means.
daddy. But that reminds me I want
| you TO explain about the initiative. ref
I erendum and recall. I've got to tell the
/ class Tomorrow morning"
I "Phewt whistled Atkins. is that
I all I have TO dO2' He strOked Doro-
I thy's dark curls. Il think I'd better re-
call your mother We need a larger ref
I erendum. FOR some Of US certainly have
| a startling quantity Of Initiative"