The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-12
Doing all
the Giving

II think I'll have to change my po-
sition," declared the little stenograph-
er, ,belligerently, as she closed the
drawers of the filing cabinet with a
force that would have smashed any
but a steel contrivance.
BE calm, be calm!" demonstrated
the bookkeeper as he turned for fur
Their particulars. Count one hundred
slowly and then tell me about It,"
well, I've nearly made up my
mind to changed" she exclaimed, drop.
ping into chair. I'm going to look
for private Office, private secre'
taryship!"
"Oh, ambition ails you, does it?"
The bookkeeper smiled knowingly
SALARY ran low at Christmas?"
mo, it isn't that" objected the lit
tie stenographer, but, of course, I'd
just as soon have an increase of sal.
airy. think, could use it." She
paused, meditatively. mo, think
I'd be willing to stay here, il only to
remain in your company"-he smiled
and bowed-"even with the meager
stipend l now receive, If could use
it for my own needs, and in my own
way!"
"Ah! Aged mother-cripp1ed broth
Graduating little sister" suggested
the bookkeeper, helpfully.
NO" returned the little stenograph-
er, with surprisingly little heat. mot
that you mean 1t, and yet that's the
very reason! But it's some one else
mother and brother and sister!" The
little stenographer looked at him out
of sad, wide eyes.
Say" exclaimed the bookkeeper,
"you aren't playing square. You've
got to talk, not look sad. Why, in a
minute I'll be handing you my pay
envelope!"
well, to prevent such a dire catas-
trophe I'll explain" she agreed. 1T
begins in the morning about two min
utes after I get my hat off and my
pocket book by my side where all may
see it. The door opens, and as it's
my duty to greet all callers I have to
get up and talk Now, all the men
have said not to call them except on
real business, and l can't tell every
beggar, or agent, or little boy or girl,
to go see Mr.. Brown or Mr.. Daniels!
My position wouldn't be worth two
cents If did! And 1 can't call Mr..
Brown or Mr.. Daniels out to see
them, can 1? No! But have ears,
and they at once proceed to work on
my sympathies. They think if they
can't get the big men perhaps can
help them little. l look kind-oh, l
know I do, for they all tell me So
and won't I please help them out?
II can't tell them that I have no
money, for they see my giant bag, and
they know there must be something
in it. You may ask why l don't buy
q small bag, just big enough for car
fare and lunches, but it's the honest
truth that don't have enough money
left from my many charities to buy
one!
1T might be all right and do my
soul good, if only l felt charitable
but don't, not Bit, fairly despise
every youngster who pleads. I'm try
ing to earn money by selling this
chewing gum or these beautiful
cards" And when a woman explains
that she must have $40 to pay her
rent or else be compelled to go out
on the street with three-month-o
baby, I'm fairly nauseated!
mo, 1t isn't charity, not bit of It,
Now, like to give something some
times when feel that can spare it,
but don't like to do the charity work
for this whole big establishment. Why,
! give to everybody! And why? For
pure shame! That's all it is-Tm
ashamed not toll Somehow or other,
everybody makes me feel that I'm a
selfish pig if I don't help, and I'm
sorry, all the time they are talking
and ever tafterward that I'm so soft
but I can't help it! .E.
so you see. the only remedy I
know Of is private secretaryship,
where I can give commands to the
outer Office force not to call me for
anything at all! Do you happen to
know Of anybody who is in need Of