Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-07
DAYS AND
DOLLARS.
By CARROLL WATSON RANKIN

Telka, who was seventeen years old,
felt very important indeed, for sur
prising thing had happened. 1t was
only five days since she had been
graduated from the high school, and
l.ere she was with working knowi-
elge of real estate business already
at her inger-tips-literally, because
her business was principally con-
cerned with the typewriting-machine
in the Office Of Armstrong & Wolfe.
The knowledge, perhaps, did not ex-
tend far beyond her finger-tips, be-
cause most of the letters she wrote
at the dictation of her employers con-
veyed absolutely no meaning to her
mind; but this did not trouble Tekla
or anybody else.
Her copy was neat as well as ac-
curate, and there was nothing about
the completed letters to indicate that
the typewriting young person was as
innocent as the typewriter itself of
the difference between the east half
of lot fifty-seven and the northwest
i
you're wonderfully fortunate" said
Geraldine Pease. who was four years
older than Tekla. 1--WE always wish
ed l could work for Armstrong &
Wolfe-it's such good place. How
did you ever happen to get it?"
"Oh," returned Tekla, overlooking
Geraldine's somewhat uncomplimen-
tary emphasis, "Mr. Wolfe and father
used to be friends. He knew I'd have
to do something to help mother out,
and SO when Miss Dodd's sick father
telegraphed for her to go East, Mr..
Wolfe came to me. I'm to have thirty
dollars a month"
Mr.. Wolfe, who was almost sixty
but looked younger, was a large man,
SO well-proportioned In every way that
his great height did not impress one
until he stood looking down upon
some ordinary six-footer." His Shout
ders were broad, his hands and feet
huge. his good-natured mouth was
wide, his mild eyes stood wide apart.
Every one loved and respected him,
and because Of his kindly eyes, he
had.few enemies. No unfortunate per
son ever appealed to him in vain
yet in spite of his amiability, he was
seldom imposed upon.
Tekla was conscious OF no desire
to impose on him; but she was young
1t was summer time, often there were
no letters to be answered. and She
found idleness irksome.
The baseball match between the
teams Of her own town and of Iron
wood was the beginning Of her fall
from grace. The Office closed at four
on Saturday afternoons and at hall
past five on other days, and work was
supposed to begin at half past eigh
each morning. 1t seemed to- the rest
less girl that two hours playtime OF
Saturday afternoons ought not t
make much difference to the firm, ant
she asked If she might be excused.
1t is probable that she would no
have enjoyed the game SO well If sh
had suspected that Mr.. Wolfe, who's
large, blunt fingers did not lend them
selves gracefully to typewriting, ha
been compelled to answer at consider
able length and with much discomfor
two important letters that had arrive
in the 3 o'clock mail.
Mr.. Armstrong. the other partner
had not learned to use typewriter
and always had enough to do, besides
in his own special department.
The ball game, however. was onl
the opening wedge. Tekla was popt
lar. and her friends and classmate
were having a glorious time tina
summer.
At first, indeed, the girl stood gu
bravely, refusing all daytime amuse
ments; but after that first baseba
game Tekla found 1T SO easy to as
and to obtain leave Of absence a9, m g,, 70