The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-21
The Euening Story


Clara Jane fairly staggered into the
room-she was so tired. Even her
hat looked tired and the little stick-up
in front, once so brave and starchy,
had liStless droop.
Clara James spirits were fast rag
cling Back in Starberry much praised
genius had risen with a leaven and
run over. Realizing that she must
have room to spread and that mil
linery for delivers wives was no longer
the limit of her horizon, she had re-
moved herself from her hampering
environment to the city.
Off came the hat with jerk The
poor little stick-up got a vicious tug
and was flung across the room and
out of the window 4 hate hats.
I've sorted feathers today till I'm full
of them. 1 eat them, breathe them.
UGH can't even look at a bird. And
I'm hungry
The contents of several paper bags
did not look inviting-crackers in one,
stale rolls in another and some old
apples with wrinkles. She sighed. Il
wish 1 had some of mothers waffles
and chicken, and some corn pudding
and caramel sweet potatoes and choc-
olate cake and custard pie and
Some griddle cakes and country
sausage and apple dumpdngs and
The masculine voice stopped Clara
Jane turned and stared open-mouthed
at the unexpected person in the door
way. He evidently encouraged con-
fidence, for she answered sadly: I've
nothing left to remind me of home
but my name. 1 hang on to every
inch of it,
But you can't eat that" said the
man. It's awful to be hungry"
Yes! When one knows what good
things really are. How did you get
here? You don't belong, do you? 1
thought I knew every one in the
house. 1 must have left my door
open.'
You did. This came out of the win
dow and landed in my left eye. L
bell. A fat woman answered it, 1
handed this in. She said instantly:
It's Miss Amherst's. You take it up;
you're younger n me and not so big
So L brought it up. L arrived. I'm
here Behold your green feather.
Thank me and let me depart"
For goodness sake, don't ask
thanks for that. I hate it. 1 threw it
out. 1 never want to see a feather.
L work with them all day. Please
return it to the street. I'd throw it
in the fire, but feathers smell so when
they burn and Miss Crex will think
I'm cooking. We're not allowed to
cook in our rooms"
Il would if 1 were not Irish. But
I can't see green go down" He pulled
the feather through his buttonhole.
sfAnd now 1 must go. But say, will
you do something for me, if it's not
asking too much?"
Yves. I suppose sou His eyes
were so blue and honest, What is
it %
I'm going to a party and my only
pair of gloves need mending. Do you
think you could put in a stitch? ''
Yes, indeed! I'd be glad to-
Then I'll be going by in fifteen
minutes. 1 can't come up. Have you
anything you can let DOWN."
Of hn
Yes"
I'll tie a string to my hat
| Good"
But when they are done, what will
you do?"
when they're donel oh. I'll just
whistle"
Then. good night. If you stand
there any longer, Miss Crex will come
up and send you down. She's partic-
ular about what we do
IAN right. Don't forget the hat"
Fifteen minutes later Clara Jane
| the depths of the street.
It's heavy. 1 wonder if he's
brought his darning and weekly
wash"
Bump! The hat arrived containing
a large paper parcel that smelled de-
ncious when opened.
Sausages. a soft-shelled crab,
baked potato, hot rolls, butter, mar
malade and cake from a nearby res
taurant.
Clara Jane stood a while and de-
bated. THE proper thing for me to
do is to throw it into the street. 1
don't know his name and he's very
presuming- But how can 1 when I'm
hungry enough to eat the heels off
my slippers, and have only car fare
for morning? Tomorrow's pay day,
thank goodness! I'll have to eat
So she did-even the potato skin.
Then she waited for the whistle, all
evening, but none came and she was
glad of it after all. She was begin
ming to like her Irishman
Clara Jane awoke with the birds
country fashion, put an old buckle
on her hat where the feather thing
| had been and drank some coffee made
| over the gas jet. Then she went to
work
! Her particular department of the
| big store was feathers. Il hate to go
in" she protested as she tied on her
apron, L wonder if they won't give
me roses and flowers instead. That's
the floor above and it would be a
change of scene as we'll as occupation.
| If 1 ever get into the trimming de-
partment I'll know the millennium
/ has comet"
She was talking aloud and didn't
know it. 1t came from loneliness.
| 81 think it's here said voice sus-
piciously like the Irishman's
/ Clara Jane turned and confirmed
the suspicion. Where are the gloves
1 was to mend?"
/ His face fell. "I forgot all about
them
You told a story
"A downright black lie. It's ter
rible sorry 1 am
! You don't look it. Anyway you are
forgiven.
Thank heaven,"
THE crab was fine"
'.Yes'm.''
And the sausages were betteri"
/