Every girl cannot, of course, find a blind neighbor who wishes to hear somebody read aloud, nor are little dancing classes to be formed at one's pleasure. But if a girl is fond of her needle, she may keep a dainty piece of work on hand—a centre-piece, or a bureau scarf, or a doily or two, and embroider these as she has opportunity, gradually becoming so expert and deft that her needle produces exquisite effects, like those of a painter's brush. Such work is saleable, and there are always people who will order it for holiday or birthday gifts, or for their contributions to fairs. You must not hope to sell what you do in this line unless it is really excellent work, but if you are skilled you will be able to reap some profit from your labor. Many girls earn their money for charity in this way. I know one who trims the family hats and bonnets, and so earns Easter and Christmas money for the poor and for her gifts.
Among pleasant methods of earning money I must mention the device of Marion, the sixteen-year-old daughter of a friend, who pays her a little salary for keeping a set of books for him. There is, in this case, a particular account which the father wishes to keep separate from all others, and Marion, who has studied book-keeping, has charge of this, her father willingly remunerating her for her time. When a girl's parents are able to pay her for some work which she does at home she is to be congratulated.
Anna M—— frankly declares that her talents are of the home-making order. She is quick and neat, and likes to make cake, and candy, and salted almonds, and other goodies which people enjoy. If she had time to make them, her peanut taffy and her maple-sugar caramels would be in great demand, but as it is she never has trouble in getting orders for all she can supply. Her sister Sallie has earned a really large amount of money for a young girl by obtaining subscriptions for a favorite periodical, the publishers allowing a liberal commission on every paid subscription.
But after all, girls, I cannot urge you to devote your powers as yet to the earning of money. This is your preparatory season. Think of something you would like to become, and spend your time in getting ready for it. I admire Louise W——, who, when she was a child, enjoyed her needle and her little bit of patchwork, and learned to dress her dolls beautifully. Louise took a thorough course in millinery and dressmaking, learning the art of cutting and fitting perfectly; then she began to teach it, and now, as a young lady, she goes about to different schools to impart what she knows, and she also forms classes and takes single pupils. She waited till her school days were over before entering on her profession, and she is so fully mistress of her art that nobody is more independent than she.
Concerning singing, about which Lulu D—— writes, lessons from the best masters are very costly, though it is possible to study at a conservatory, and by sharing the lessons of a class receive instruction at a smaller outlay. If the voice is worth cultivation a conscientious teacher will tell you its probable range, and advise you whether to invest money in vocal culture.
Mary G. H.—Your letter reached me too late to be answered by the date you set. Should your club have another entertainment mentioned, have either a flower party or a library party. In the first instance each girl must dress in the color of her favorite flower, wear it in her belt, and recite a little poem or tell a story in which her flower is mentioned. In the second, each chooses a book and is dressed to represent its title, which the rest find out by guessing. Bring a copy of the book with you, if you wish, and let it be given to a hospital or other charity.
Flora B.—All the way from Chili your letter came straight to my desk. I am glad to have warm words of appreciation of The Pudding Stick from a South-American reader. You write a beautiful hand, and use English well.
Frances.—I think twenty-five cents a week would be a sufficient allowance for pocket-money at your age.
Helen.—As you are small for your age, wear your dresses just to the tops of your boots.
May and Rosalind H.—I thank you and your mamma for your letter, and grandmamma for her excellent culinary hint, which is that a bit of charcoal put in the vessels in which cabbage, onions, cauliflower, turnips, and spinach are cooked will quite do away with the disagreeable odors which usually accompany the process of boiling.
Mrs. T. E.—You will gain the information you ask for by addressing the Young Women's Christian Association, New York.
