The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-04-05
Doing all
the Giving

II think I'll have to change my po-
sition." declared the little stenograph.
er, belligerently, as che closed the
drawers Of the filing cabinet with q
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 q chair. I'm going to look
for a private once, q private secre-
taryship!"
"oh. ambition ais 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 % soon have an increase Of SAL
AIRY. I think l 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 I now receive, II / could, use
It for my own needs, and in my own
way!"
"Ah! Aged mother-crippled broth
er-educating little sister," suggested
the bookkeeper. helpfully.
"No," returned the little stenograph.
or, with surprisingly little heat. mot
that you mean it. and yet that's the
very reason! But it's some e]se's
mother and brother and sister," The
little st~enographer 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 .
minute Ill be handing you my pay
envelope!"
"Well, to prevent such q dire catas-
trophe I'll explain" she agreed. 1T
begins in the morning about two min
utes after l get my hat of and my
pocket book by my side where all may
sec 1t. 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 I 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 l did! And I can't call Mr..
Brown or Mr.. Daniels out to see
them, can l? No! But 1 have ears,
and they at once proceed to work on
my sympathies. They think if they
can't get the big men perhaps l can
help them a little. look kind-oh,
know l do, for they all tell me 80
and won't L please help them out?
II can't tell them that l have no
money, for they e my giant bag, and
they know there must be something
in it. You may ask why I don't buy
a small bag, just big enough for car
fare. and lunches. but it's the honest
truth that l don't have enough money
left from my many charities to buy
one!
"It might be all right and do my
soul good. if only / felt charitable
but Idon't, not a bit! I fairly despise
every 'youngster who pleads. I'm try
ing to earn money by selling this
chewing gum. or "these beautiful
cards!". Andawhen a woman explains
that she must have $40 to pay her
rent or else be compelled. to go out
on the street with a. three-month-old
baby, I'm. fairly nauseated!
mo, it isn't charity, not.a bit Of It.
= "Now, Hike to give something SOME.
times when / feel that l can spare It,
but l don't like to do the charity work
for this whole big establishment. Why,
I give to everybody! And why?. For
pure shame! That's all it is-Im
ashamed not to! Somehow or other,
everybody makes me feel that I'm a
selfish pig If l don't help, and I'm
sorry all the time they are talking
and ever afterwardl that I'm so soft
but / can't help It!
$50 you see. the only remedy I
know of is a private sec%retaryship.
where I can give commands to the
outer ONCE force not to- call NE for
anything at all! Do you happen to
know Of anybody who is in need OF
NV services in. that capacity?"