The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-08-28
HIS NIGHTLY QUESTION
BY JOE BERNHARD.

We'll, dear. how did you get along
today" asked Atkins, complacently
feeling that this nightly question full
filled his promise to his wife to look
after Dorothy very carefully during her
mothers absence from home.
"Oh, fine, daddy. This was Katie's
day out, so l came home from school
early to keep house
did you find 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. | begun 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 CRATE
full.
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
accumulate"
Really? Did you give any away"
No. 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 consult
ing me" he said, I'VE can look them
over"
Yes, they're all out on your bed
room floor where you can see them
easy | didn't have time to put them
away because the lady agent came,
but you can sleep In the guest room
tonight and tomorrow Katie can scrub
the closet floor and put all your things
away"
You are quite manager, Dot"
was going to do mothers cup
board, 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 | 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 horrid black cotton
gloves She said she was lady
agent, but Just knew that any one
who wasn't dyeadfully poor wouldn't
ever wear such ugly gloves. They
made me feel sorrier for her than any.
thing else.
She said she had walked all day
I'LL she was ready to drop and nobody
had bought any Of the lovely perfume,
.oilet soap or face powder from her.
hadn't a single bit Of my allowance
eft and | didn't have enough money
70 buy cake Of soap even, but made
her a cup Of tea and told her to lie
Town on the couch and rest | COW
cred her with the silk quilt grandma
sent US and she thought 1t was awfully
pretty. Then | thought OF something
splendid, daddy. | asked her to let
ne take her bag Of goods so could go
tut and sell some things for her.
Great Scott! She didn't do 1t, did
Ihe?"
Why. yes, after l coaxed her a lit
lie. At first she was surprised at the !
dea, but told her could talk about
he merits Of her wares just as we'll as
he could, Merits of the wares and
sterling quality'-those were the
hings she said over and over again
md | knew | could say something
lever and different. told her so and
he said she thought maybe l could.
What do you think, daddy? Invent
'ut and in one hour and a half | sold
3,75 worth of her goods 1t vas lots
II fun, Nearly everybody called on
eemed to like to buy She was per.
ectly delighted when | came home
md brought the money to her. She
ried little when she left and kissed
ne good-by and | told her to come
round some other time when she was
ired and Id sell some more things
or her Daddy, don't you think when
graduate from grammar school |
ould be lady agent instead of going
0 high school? Id just love TO help
.ou by earning money that way. The
ady agent said she guessed ! had a
pecial gift for the business. Can't
10 it. daddy"
Atkins laughed a little huskily as
Ie drew his daughter closer.
Wen have to hold the matter in
beyance," he said, gravely.
Il don't know what that means. dad.
y, But that reminds me. want you
o explain about the initiative, refer.
ndum and recall. I've got to tell the
lass tomorrow morning"
"Phew." whistled Atkins. is that
ii have to do" He stroked Doro.
hy's dark curls. Il think I'd better
ecall your mother We need larger
for some OF us certainly
rave startling quantity OF initiative"