HOW SHE ATTRACTED ATTENTION.
A LITTLE incident—it is a true story—occurred a few years ago in Philadelphia, which has its significance for many of our readers. The owner of a large retail store gave a holiday to all his employes in the middle of June. Cashiers, foremen, salesmen, and women, cash boys and porters, all were invited to spend the day on the grounds of the country seat owned by their employer. Tents were erected, a bountiful dinner and supper were provided, a band of music was stationed in a grove, and special trains were chartered to carry the guests to the country and home again. Nothing else was talked of for weeks before the happy day. The saleswomen, most of whom were young, anxiously planned their dresses and bought cheap and pretty muslins, which they made up in the evenings, that they might look fresh and gay. Even the cash boys bought new cravats and hats for the great occasion. There was one girl, whom we shall call Jane, who could not indulge herself in any pretty bit of finery. She was the only child of a widowed mother, who was paralyzed. Jane was quick and industrious, but she had been but a few months in the store, and her wages barely kept her and her mother from want. "What shall you wear?" said the girl that stood next to her behind the counter. "I bought such a lovely blue lawn." "I have nothing but this," said Jane, glancing down at her rusty black merino. "But that is a winter dress! You'll melt, child. There'll be games and boating and croquet. You must have a summer gown or else don't go." Girls of fifteen like pretty gowns. Jane said nothing for a few minutes. "I must wear this," she said firmly. "And I think I will go. Mother wishes it and I like to get all the fun I can out of life." "But you can't play croquet in that." "It is always fun to see other people have fun," said Jane, bravely. The day came, bright and hot, and Jane went in her heavy, well-darned dress. She gave up all idea of "fun" for herself, and set to work to help others find it. On the grounds she started games for the children, ran to lay the table, brought water to the old ladies, was ready to pin the torn gowns, or to applaud a "good ball;" she laughed and was happy and friendly all the time. She did not play; but she was surrounded by a cheerful, merry group wherever she went. On the way home to town the employer, who was a shrewd business man, beckoned to his superintendent. "There is a girl here whose friendly, polite manner is very remarkable. She will be valuable to me as a saleswoman. Give her a good position. That young woman in black," and he pointed her out. The next day she was promoted into one of the most important departments, and since that time her success has been steady. The good humor and kindness of heart which enabled her to "find fun in seeing others have fun" was the best capital for her in her business. She had the courage, too, to disregard poverty and to make the best of life—a courage which is rare, and which rarely fails to meet its reward.—Youth's Companion.