South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-09
Mrs BeaIeS Hired Girl
By Ella Randall Pearce

DO you want a farm worker
here2"
The man IN the garden straighten-
Cd quickly and wheeled about to
face the girl from the road.
do 1 want a farm worker here 2''
he repeated. regarding her curious
~. who sent you2'
Nobody. just walked up from
the station"
Then ne took note OF the dust on
her clothes and the high flush on
her face He waved "A hand toward
the nearby porch. Better sit down
and rest awhile before YOU 20 on.
And I'll call NANNY Rose 10 fetch
you a glass Of buttermuk"
The girls first impulse was 20 re-
fuse. But the next moment. as
though guided by a will stronger
than her own. she found herself
seated in a comfortable porch rock
er. and a fat Old colored woman
was reviving her with a refreshing
drink
Still appraising her. her comoan-
ion smiled again with that hateful
quirk at his lips corners
What's the game" ne asked
with abruptness
There's no game Only I got
tired Of working in store and Iiv-
Ing in a city hall room. And I read
how women are taking up all sorts
Of new wOrk-men's work. with the
men called to war And farm work
appealed TO me"
He frowned into her anxious eyes.
This talk OF unframed women tax
Ing over mems work is all bOsh in a
lot Of cases. We farmers don't want
any twittering Maud Mullers. We
want lot Of huskies-"
Il am husky" dehed the girl. ct
could learn. And I'm not going back
10 the store!"
She rose and put on her hat He
rose. too and looked out over the
sunny road
You take my advice" His voice
vas uncompromising Nobody here
wants lady farmer. But If you're
strong for staying and willing 20
work-Mrs. Beale at the next. farm
wants girl 10 help her with the
housework. She's a good sort Tell
her you want 10 be her hired girl.
Not her hired man. Understand 20
4 understand. And 1 thank you.
Int ] don't think I'll go. Good-by."
But. at the gateway Of the next
farl u the girl hesitated-hesitated
and was lost in rambling path that
led to- the Beale's hospitable door
"Sul ~ I'll give YOU d trial" Mrs.
Reale Ngreed heartily It's a bad
time for ME TO be shOrt-handed.
What d Vi you say your name is?
selena haw- All right. Selena.
Come Up. vatrs. And I'll send for
your trunk Ut once"
Up in tn tidy. maple-shaded bed
room. Mrs ,Beale turned twinkling
eyes on her companion 1T beats
me how yott picked out Lester Min
tons place" she informed her. Les
is ali right. but everybody knows
'cept strang ers. of cOurse-he's a
sort OF WON. IN Halter And when
think OF you "a Eirl-sitting on his
porch and tai king TO him" Laugh
AtA AApfAIN az III IA wa - A'1aA~ . ANil
throat.
He didn't know whether ! was a
girl or a fossil. Mrs. Beale," said Sc
lena. and her look was brooding.
whatever Selena Shaw's short
comings in the field might have
been. she was "A competent and
cheerful houseVorl1er. The tive
women got on we'll together: and
SeIena found herself figuring as one
OF the family She met young Min
ton at church om two occasions anc
saw him several times from a forma
distance
Then, early one glowing summer
afternoon. Lester Minton leapet
from his motor car and strobe III
the path 10 the Beale kitchen door
The two women were busily at work
within
Hello. Mrs. Beale." called the in
truder gustily. eve come TO TAX
your hired girl for a ride"
Mrs Beale's good natured gIanc,
expressed amazement which sh
FASTENED 10 conceal by turning he
back on her caller and addressing
Selena
Dye hear that. Selena? Les
Mr.. Minton wants to take you for