FREE LANCE OF TO-DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1874, 7 October 1913, Page 2

FREE LANCE OF TO-DAY.

SKETCH OF MTSS GERTRUDE FORD. Once upon a time ' the free-lance journalist was always a man; but it is bo no longer. Nowadays there are many women of that tribo, but not many who have done a greater variety of good work or made headway with less encouragement, and in face of more disadvantages, than has Miss S. Gertrude Ford. Hampered with ill-health through most of her early years, and forced to live the narrow life of the invalid, she educated 'herself, and, following her natural bent; turned to the writing of prose and verse, at first by way of amusement, later as a means of earning a. living. She confesses to have found it a hard life, full of disappointments. However (states "The Bookman"), taking her unaided way, Miss Ford has in these last few years contributed topical articles and verse, children's stories, nature studies, and much other miscellaneous prose and poetry to the "Daily News." the "Contemporary Review," the "Westminster Review," the "Poetry Review," and other magazines and newspapers; she conducts a Poets' School of forty students in 0110 journal, and a "Critic s Cliair" in another; incidentally she has won six prizes and six first-class honours in the famous tournaments conducted bv the "Satur- ■ day "Westminster." Lately she has 1 gathered a selection of her poems into a small volume. "Lyric Leaves." Miss Ford has added to her difficulties liy resolutely living up to certain' rather rigid ideals. She has put divers respectable enough periodicals on a sort of black-list, and neither offers _ them her work nor would accept commissions' from them. "As an idealist," she says, "I would never submit my work to any but the purest, loftiest, most dignified papers. As a Suffragist, I gave_ mv work frpo of charge to my own society's organ, "Tim Vote";. as a missionary ' enthusiast I gave it free to a missionary magazine * nevertheless, in of these and such-liko ' restrictions and self-denying ordinances, I have supnort'ed and 'am still supporting mvsolf by 1 my pen." Tt is a record in which she 1 may justly take a modest pride. The success attained from the prcpara- ; tions for- the Scalp, Hnir, and Skin, i manufactured under Miss Milsom's supervision, after 16 years of experience, has-resulted in positive cures for DanrtI ruff, Irritation of the Scalp, Falling Hair, I and Grey hair. - Fullest information given gratis to country clients, including home treatment. Preparations promptly mailed anywhere. Latest Hair Dressings. Only the very best Hairwork of every de- , scription. Shampooing. Face Massage. Electrolysis. Clipping; and all treatments. Miss Milsom, King's Chambors (opp. Stewart Dawson's), Willis Street, . Wellington. Telephone 811. A jeweller in Aldersliot has sent an interesting claim to the Customs and. Excise 1 Office. He holds a licenso to sell plate ■ for 52 weeks in tho year, and his claim is for abatement for loss of trade through tho Shops, Act debarring him from trading oca 2JJ dfljfl.