Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1914 — My Career [ARTICLE]

My Career

By EDNA WOOLWORTH

In these days poor girls fit themselves for a life of labor because they expect to be obliged to support themselves, and wealthy girls—at least some of them—because they don’t relish a choicebetween matrimony and idleness. I belong to the latter class. One autumn not many years ago I, then twenty yea* old, thoroughly imbued with the, belief that all men were selfish and ifi wedded the man I married would take me for my fortune and, having spent it. desert or ill treat me, decided to go to the city and prepare myself for a career.

I belonged to several societies in my native town, one of which was di - ed to the cause of temperance Qur badge was a bit of blue ribbon .tied in the buttonhole of the men members and somewhere oh the corsage of the women. I was an enthusiastic advocate of the temperance cause and always wore my colors. The day’ I alighted from the train on my quest for a career a young man with a pleasing face and as pleasing a smile on it stepped up to me and, taking from me a satchel I carried, said: “Here you are. Cousin Bess!” Now. riiy name happened to be Elizabeth. Had it not been so I should have probably told the young man that he was mistaken in the person. As it was, I thought for a moment that some of my numerous cousins living in the city whom 1 had never seen had got wind of iny coining. and had concluded to meet me. ' /' - “You are”— I asked. “I’m Ned Olcott. We received your letter mentioning the blue ribbon. Everything is prepared for you. We have succeeded in getting a position for you in the High school. You’re to teach history. I believe that's what you wanted, isn’t it?” We were moving with the throng and by this time had reached the station exit. There was something’so ingenuous, so kindly, as well as dignified, in the young man’s face and manner that my heart went right out to him. I was seized with a curiosity to know What lie would do with me. I hesitated a few moments whethefr I would inform him of bis mistake or delay. Meanwhile he called a cab. and the driver came dashing up to the curb. “Are you sure?” I began and stopped “Quite so. Mother said I was to bring you straight home. Get in.” I yielded. After all, was not this a relative? At any rate, I would act for awhile as if he were. Perhaps he was. He drove me to a modest dwelling standing well back from the street, with very white curtains and some well polished Grass at the front door. An old lady, with a lovable face and snow white hair, backed by two young girls, received me, welcoming me with a kiss.■ ■

“Why. Cousin Bess,” exclaimed the elder girl,.“how you've changed! You don’t look at all as you did when we played together ten years ago.’’ “Elizabeth must be tired and hungry. Helen, show her to her room. Dinner will be ready in half hour.” I was glad to escape, for that time at least, from my equivocal position. Helen left me to think over what 1 should do. 1 had gone so far tlmt any course I might pursue would result in mortification: I would not be able to make these kind persons believe that I had been drawn into their brother’s mistake. 1 -was sure there was a mistake. for just before going upstairs I had been asked how I had left my stepmother, and I had no stepmother. I was too confpsed to make much of a toilet. I employed my time trying to think of a way out of my dilemma. Not finding any way to suit me, I resolved to await a favorable opportunity to make it appear that I had been taken up by relatives that I had never seen. When the half hour had passed 1 went downstairs, and there in traveling dress stood the real Bess, the mother, the son and the two daughters regarding her as if not knowing what to make of her. As I entered the room they looked at me, equally dumfounded I saw that the denouement had pome. 1 noticed that my double wore a blue ribbon.

“Which of you is Elizabeth?” asked the mother. “Elizabeth what?” I asked. "Elizabeth Stanton, of course.” “I am Elizabeth Elliot,” I said. “And I am Elizabeth Stanton,” said the newcomer. For a moment I affected to be much puzzled, then said: had my doubts about the gentleman beidg my cons in, but f have relatives in the city 1 have never seen and supposed he might be one of them. But since my arrival I have come to believe a mis take has been made.” “You took away my escort,” said the other Cousip Bess, smiling, “and I have been obliged to find my way here aloneA 1 see yon wear the blue ribbon agreed upon.” “That is a society decoration.” I in formed her. ‘Young ladies.” said the mother, “dinner is waiting. Come and partake of it, both of you.” That was not the last dinner I took in that bouse by any means. Indeed. I now go there frequently because the old lady is my mother-in-law and her daughters my sisters-in-law. The real Bess is also my friend. She has followed the career of a teacher, and 1 was turned from my intention, to come a wife and mother.