Ethel Hollister

“ There were tears in Archibald Hollister’s eyes as he kissed them goodbye at the train. Within the last year his life had been happier. He had seen more of his wife and had grown to love her better than he had since Ethel was a child. She and he were together nearly all of the time, and it was like reading over a forgotten love story.
“Don’t you worry, papa,” said Ethel, patting his cheek. “We’re going to keep well and have a lovely summer, and when you come up for your vacation you’ll be like a boy again.” ”

“ Although you have but little money, people are sure to seek you not only for your family name but because you are an acquisition to any society."
Ethel blushed painfully while Cousin Kate gazed out upon the budding leaves on a tree in front of the Hollister house. By a keen observer her private opinion might be read in every line of her face. She loved Ethel and her grandmother—old Mrs. Hollister. She pitied her Uncle Archie, but she despised her Aunt Bella and rejoiced that at least none of that lady's blood flowed in her veins. ”

“ Hollister into his confidence and told her of his early life and of Aunt Susan’s misfortunes. “But bless you,” he continued, “the Lord is good to us. She’ll never need a penny for my income is increasing and my practice is more than I can attend to. I should have a partner but she won’t hear of my taking one. She is too cautious. So I have several young students who study law in my office and help me as well.”
Then he proceeded to extol Ethel.
“Mrs. Hollister,” he said, “she’s a girl of wonderful character and she’ll make a magnificent woman. ”

“ Why, an education such as her girls receive is of no earthly account unless for music or such accomplishments; but with a degree from Barnard I can earn good money. I am so glad that I am young and that I shall have a chance. You’ll be proud of me, Mamma,—just wait and see,” and she kissed her mother affectionately.
They went down to breakfast. Archibald Hollister listened to his daughter’s plans. He was proud of her and his face showed it.
“You see, Papa,” continued Ethel, “every penny is spent on me. Do you and Mamma ever go to a theatre? No. Do you ever take a drive? ”

“ I promise," replied Grandmamma Hollister. "I am only too glad to see her once more. I could almost forgive your mother for any duplicity in it so long as she can come, for Susan and I are growing old and it will not be many years before one of us goes. But, Ethel, don't expect to see any style. Aunt Susan is a plain country woman. It may be a trial for you to have to go out with her."
"Oh, never, if she's like you, Grandmother," said the girl, kissing her, "and she is your own sister. She must be like you. But there's Nannie Bigelow and Grace McAllister. I wonder what they want." ”

“ Hollister, coming in at that moment followed by Ethel.
“I’ve just told Mother,” said the girl, “that Western people can give points to us. They are natural, kind-hearted, hospitable, and they seldom measure their friendship by the amount of people’s bank accounts. With them it’s character that talks.”
“How did you like my sanitarium, Bella?” asked Aunt Susan.
“I couldn’t half express myself,” replied Mrs. Hollister. “You’re a wonderful woman, Aunt Susan, and the people here have cause to bless you. I’ve never before admitted this to Ethel, but I’m very glad that she came here last summer. ”

“ Grandmother Hollister and her son were alike in many ways. They were free from all false pride and privately they considered Mrs. Hollister a snob, and worried lest Ethel should become one. Archibald seldom asserted himself, but when he did his word was law. While his wife was a social climber he was exactly the opposite. He had been known to bring home the most disreputable looking men—men who had been his friends in youth and who were playing in hard luck. ”

“ Archie felt that the Hollister name alone should procure for Ethel a monied husband, and she held it constantly before the girl. She must associate only with those in the "upper circle," and marry a man who could give her a "fine establishment."
Among Ethel's school friends was a girl—Nannie Bigelow by name—of whom she was very fond. Nannie had a brother in Yale whom she (Ethel) disliked. He was a member of the ultra fashionable set and was desirous of making a wealthy match, as his family as well had little but their name. One of his sisters had married a titled man and lived abroad. ”

“ There was a young man whose sister went with the set of girls who came to Ethel's teas. His name was Harvey Bigelow. One of his sisters had married into the nobility. He had a large Roman nose and a receding forehead, but Mrs. Hollister was delighted when one afternoon Nannie Bigelow—his sister—brought him to the house. He was only nineteen and at college. Ethel disliked him from the first.
"Why, dear, why are you so rude to Mr. Bigelow? He's a gentleman," said
Mrs. Hollister.
"Yes, Mamma, but I simply cannot endure him," replied the girl. ”

“ CHAPTER VIII ETHEL IS INVITED TO VISIT One morning in May, as the last days of Aunt Susan's visit were drawing to a close, she said to Mrs. Hollister: "Bella, Ethel tells me that her vacation begins next week. Now I've been thinking it over. The child doesn't look strong. She needs country air. I don't mean your fashionable places, but where she can live out of doors in a simple gown, play games, and take long walks, etc. ”

“ Hollister told Ethel privately that both here father and grandmother were old fashioned. Although living in a handsome house they kept but one maid. Mr. Hollister's salary was but a little over three thousand, and at times they had hard work to make both ends meet. Ethel attended a fashionable school and hardly realized what the family sacrificed for her. She made many friends among the wealthy girls of the smart set. ”

“ Ethel half laughed and dried her eyes on her Grandmother's handkerchief.
"I don't care," she faltered, "think of living out in a camp and sitting around the fire telling stories. And I shall never be allowed to do it."
"Now you buck up, old girl," said Dorothy Kip abruptly. "Oh, excuse me, Mrs. Hollister, but sometimes I just love to use slang. You go ahead and wish hard for what you want and you'll get it. I always do. Say, don't you know that you can influence others to think exactly as you do? By wishing with all your might you can will it to be done." ”

“ Akron.
"Oh! what a lovely summer I've had," said Ethel, "and how much I've learned being a Camp Fire Girl; and I owe it all to you, Aunt Susan."
The next week Mr. Hollister came to take the girl home—and how he had missed her!
They spent the day with Uncle John. He and her father were like boys again.
"You must come here next year, Archibald," said John, "and go up to Camp and see the way these girls keep house. It's a revelation. What the women are coming to! I don't believe there'll be any room on earth for us men after a while." ”

“ That's all, my dear. It is almost too sad to tell to a young girl."
Ethel sat and gazed upon her,—the woman who had shown such mercy to a brute,—a wife deserted by her husband,—a mother never able to feel the hand of her little child upon her cheek,—a woman whose life had been spent in helping others, with no thought of self. The tears came into the girl's eyes. She seemed to behold a bright halo about Aunt Susan's head, and it filled her with awe. Suddenly she saw herself as she really was,—the daughter of a selfish, mercenary mother, whose sole ambition was for her future position in life. ”

“ But hurry in; Jane will be furious if her biscuits grow cold.”
The two weeks passed only too quickly. They spent their days touring all over Ohio, so it seemed to Ethel, and at night the young people came in shoals to see her, while the grown-ups had bridge parties. Said Mrs. Hollister:
“How hospitable and lovely these Westerners are. I had no idea that they were so refined.”
“What did you expect to meet, Mother?” laughed Ethel—“not cowboys?”
“Susan,” said Grandmother one morning, “I notice that you curl your hair. It’s very becoming, I think.”
“Alice, you don’t consider me too old, do you? ”

“ Why, she almost runs the place on contributions and her allowance, and the little ones are just as happy and comfortable as possible. She has books and toys, and we girls take turns in going in and reading to the elder children, as well as amusing the younger ones. That is a good charity, and Grandmother (Kate noticed that Ethel had begun to call Mrs. Hollister ‘Mother’ and the old lady ‘Grandmother’) goes nearly every pleasant day and takes flowers. She generally spends the afternoon with them, so in a small way Dorothy Kip is emulating Jane Adams. ”

“ Mrs. Hollister was persuaded not to go to camp until after a few days, when the girls should be settled. Then Uncle John was to take her up. So Ethel, Kate, and the girls, with one new member, went alone.
Save that Nora Casey wore mourning and seemed quiet, everything was the same as the summer before. Patty Sands was wild with delight upon seeing Ethel. Edna Whitely was the same happy-go-lucky Edna as of old. Mollie Long and Edith Overman had grown very tall, while Sallie Davis had become a perfect roly poly. She had gained twenty pounds and was constantly dieting and taking long walks. ”

“ Why, boys are joining from every rank of life."
"Ah! my dear," broke in Mrs. Hollister, "that's the great trouble. They are from every rank, and that's why I object. Had I a son I should not care to have him become interested in it, and for a girl like Ethel to rub shoulders with 'Tom, Dick and Harry,' it's simply not to be thought of. No, when she marries I trust it will be to a man who can afford to give her enough servants to do the work, a chauffeur to run her automobile, and a captain to sail her yacht. ”

“ But Ethel watched the girls work. It was a revelation to her. They seemed more like boys.
"Why," explained Edna Whitely, "if necessary we could drive the stakes and put up our tent, couldn't we, Miss Hollister?"
"Yes, I hope you'd be able to," she said. "I think women do far harder work than that every day."
Kate had changed her gown for a pair of bloomers and was working hard running back and forth giving orders like a general. By twilight every trunk was unpacked and in its place. Each girl had changed her gown and the Camp Fire was ready to light after tea. ”

“ And if she might go to some fine school, Ma’am, where she could learn how to be a lady and stay at your house I would pay any price.”
At first Mrs. Hollister objected to the money part, but Mr. Casey begged so hard that, realizing what Nora had done for Ethel, she felt she should be willing to do anything to benefit her. So she consented.
“You can put me anywhere,” said Nora, “I will be like one of your family.”
Mrs. Hollister put her arm around the girl.
“My dear,” she said, “the best I have ought not to be good enough for you. ”

“ They were to stop at Akron first, where they were to leave Grandmother, and after a visit of a week Ethel and her mother were to go on to Columbus and hence to Camp.
As the train drew into the depot at Akron, there stood Tom with Aunt Susan, but what a metamorphosis! Tom just escaped being a fashionably dressed swell. He was too manly for that. He wore a blue serge suit, colored negligee shirt with tie to match, a Panama hat, and russet ties. His handsome face was so full of character that Mrs. Hollister whispered to Ethel:
"What a remarkably distinguished looking man he is. ”

“ I wish I were young again. I think I'd like to be a Camp Fire Girl." She was as enthusiastic as a child. Ethel looked at Kate and they smiled over the change that had taken place since the day Kate wished to explain to her aunt what the Camp Fire Girl was.
"Don't you think that Mother grows young?" asked Ethel proudly of her cousin.
"She's a changed woman," replied Kate, "in every way. She's simply lovely."
Mrs. Hollister adapted herself and made friends quickly. She became tactful, a quality that had hitherto been unknown. She liked Nora and the girl loved Mrs. Hollister. Ethel marveled. ”

“ We polish up old mahogany and keep it fresh and clean—why not old women?" and the two laughed merrily.
"I think the Camp Fire business has made a woman of Ethel, don't you?"
"How could it fail to?" said Aunt Susan. "Women are coming into their own, Alice. They're growing sensible and self-reliant. Look at our Grandmothers and at us. Do you notice the difference? And our grandchildren will be just as far ahead of us as we are of our grandmothers. Isn't it wonderful?"
"I like you Western people," said Mrs. Hollister, coming in at that moment followed by Ethel. ”

“ Look at yourself," replied she seriously.
"Mrs. Hollister," said he, "I've been here only one week, but I already feel that I'm another man. It's splendid for both boy and girl. It's a boon to be able to get away from city people and fashionable resorts. Nan has put up a big fight and, Ethel, she's coming out to see you next month," he said.
"Oh, how lovely! Kate, hear this: Nannie Bigelow is coming here to see us next month."
"I shall be here until the middle," said Harvey, "and she'll go home with us. I've an aunt in Springfield and she'll go there for a visit first. ”

“ Hollister speaks highly of the mother and I need just such a young man with me in Columbus. I think I can find an opening for him in my office; if not, in the office of some of my friends. There are too many young men in New York; there are not enough places for them all. Now wid me they have a chance to advance, and when I’m gone they’ll take my place. I’ve no son.”
“Yes,” said Grandmother, “this young musician supports his mother. My daughter-in-law says that the mother comes from a good old family. She and Mrs. Hollister were at school together in Elmira, New York state. ”