The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-15

An entire Topeka neighborhood is in
terested in That Girl. She doesn't know
1t and the different families of the local
ity 90 not know that other families
watch her through the cracks of the
door and from behind the window
shades when she passes by.
That Girl is a product of the adver-
tisements in the backs of the magazines.
Watch her and you have an idea of
what is Just about the latest in every
thing. She might be called the fashion
plate, only she isn't, for she's only
pretender and that's why the neighbor-
hood Is so interested.
If That Girl ever rises to fame, mar
ries multi millionaire and is killed in
an automobile accident In France (Which
of course is all possible because just
that has happened) she will be referred
to in the dispatches as woman of
honest but obscure parents whose
charms enchanted Mr.. -" (whatever
his name might be.)
1t isn't because the people of the
neighborhood have any idea that That
Girl will ever rise to such heights in
the fashionable world that they are In
terested in her, but their curiosity has
been piqued because she might serve
as a text for one of James L. Ford's ar
ticles on American Snobs.
That Girl is all right, or would be all
right, under certain conditions. If she
appreciated that she was not born with
silver spoon in her mouth, If she had
sense enough to think that no better
people live than those who work. If she
would keep her place on earth instead
of trying to soar in the very highest
lyrics of society with nothing better for
wings than various sizes and styles of
straight front featherbones and If she
would walk like a human instead Of
kangaroo and well II she was what
she is and did not try to be what she is
not then the neighbors would not give
more than a passing glance. if glance
at all.
Somehow the neighbors can't help but
comment when That Girl trips down the
porch steps dressed in a cloud of fluffy
white material Chat may have cost S1.4S
or liz it would be hard to tell which
for That Girl doesn't know how TO
wear it any more than she would know
what to do with sedan chair) try to
nod just as Lillian Russell might to
young man waiting to take her riding
in a So livery rig with red wheels and
tolerably high stopper while ma" Is
hanging out the family washing in the
back yard.
Ma lodges behind big sheet hung
lengthwise on the line. She peeks from
behind it and the bedspread to get
glimpse of her daughter as she wh1rls
away in the rubber tired vehicle with
her head up and an imperious look that
would serve her well If when she was
through riding she could say Home,
John"
But That Girl never looks toward the
back yard where the sheets are to wave
an au revoir to ma Not for the worldl
If she did the young man might follow
her glance and see ma with her sleeves
rolled up, her face red from washing
and he might see some of those hickory
shirts that pa wears.
The strangest part of all this is that
ma doesn't seem to mind it. She is will
ling to wash and iron and sew and
mend to keep That Girl supplied with
nice looking clothes so that she Will be
invited to go buggy riding with young
men who spend half their weeks salary
on the buggy ride. Between the rides
That Girl never helps ma. She doesn't
have time. She has to curl and arrange
her hair and practice poses and read
up on side talk, and sit on the front
porch and do nothing, like real lady.
Somehow the neighbors kind of like
ma and pa and give them credit for be-
ing good, honest folk but some way
when That Girl goes past the house
walking tipped forward as if she might
spill they can't resist the temptation to
look at her, but they turn up their
noses and say There Goes That Girl"