How Ethel Hollister Became a Campfire Girl | Page 7

girls are poor they're not considered fit to associate with us by
some mothers, and I mean mine. As if I was half as good as they. Why,
my great-grandfather was a shoemaker. Papa told me all about it, and
he was a dandy good shoemaker, too; but Mother gets furious when I
refer to it," and Nannie threw herself in a chair before the open fire that
Grandmother Hollister always kept lighted save in warm weather.
"I know my mother wouldn't let me join," said Ethel. "Why, Kate
Hollister is the Guardian of a Company in Columbus, Ohio, and
Mother wouldn't allow her to speak of it even. She says it's like the
Salvation Army, and such ridiculous nonsense. Oh, dear! all the
mothers are alike, I'm afraid. We'll never have real fun until after we're
married or become old maids."
Just then they were interrupted by the arrival of Connie Westcott,
Dorothy Kip, and two or three more of Ethel's young friends, to whom
they explained the subject under discussion.
"Well, my mother will let me join," said Connie, "and Dorothy's has
allowed her."
"Yes," broke in Dorothy, "I was sure Mother would allow me to if Miss
Westcott was to be the Guardian."
"It must be a fine organization," said Mrs. Hollister, knitting steadily
with the yellow lace falling over her still pretty hands. "I wish we had
known of something like that in my young day. Why, it must be like
one continuous picnic."

"I'll tell you what they do," said Sara Judson, "they first learn how to
put out a fire. Supposing one's clothes should catch; they could save
one's life. Then, in summer, or through the ice in winter, they rescue
drowning people who have never learned to swim. They know what to
do for an open cut; for fainting; how to bandage and use surgeon's
plaster. They can cook at least two meals, mend stockings, sew, etc.,
and keep one's self free from colds and illness. They sleep in the open,
and my! what fine health it gives a girl, and it makes a perfect athlete of
her. She can cook and bake, market, and know just how to choose
meats and vegetables. She can become a fine housekeeper as well, and
learn how to make lovely gardens. Why, I'll bring you a book, Mrs.
Hollister. I couldn't begin to tell you how wonderful it is. If a girl lives
up to all the rules and can learn everything that is taught she's a wonder,
that's all. So I hope some day Ethel can join, even if later."
"Oh, I'll never be allowed to join, girls. I'm to be a parlor ornament,"
and Ethel's eyes filled with tears.
"Never mind," said Constance White, "how desolate the home
furnishings would be without lovely bric-a-brac."
"Yes," replied Grandmother Hollister, "whatever position a girl
occupies if she fills it creditably she will have done her duty."
"I know that Ethel will be the head of a large and magnificent
establishment," said Nannie Bigelow. "She's just the style of a girl."
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."

Everyone laughed. Dorothy was an odd roly poly pretty girl of fifteen.
She was the only sister and idol of four brothers whom she copied in
every way. The newest slang was invariably on her tongue, and the
family laughed at and petted her. In their eyes everything she did was
perfect. She was a general favorite at school, but Madame La Rue
declared that she would never become a perfect lady while her brothers
lived at home; but she was kind-hearted and generous. Mrs. Hollister,
Senior, liked her immensely. She always called her "Grandma."
"Do you know what I'm going in for?" she asked of the old lady. "Well,
I'll tell you--it's babies!" Everyone laughed.
"You needn't laugh. Next year I'm going to take all of my spending
money excepting ten dollars and hire two rooms and a kitchenette. Dad
gives me sixty dollars per. I'm going to take thirty-five for rent and the
boys will help me furnish. Then I'm going to beg my friends for
contributions and open a Day Nursery. Of course, I'll have to get a