Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-19

II
r at. Silberstein's, when 1 Became
- a salesgirl in the hat department,
eN erybody took me for a very stupid
young person. Il didn't say much; was
women by whom l was surrounded
would find out how little 1 really knew
too afraid the very sophisticated young
But my brain was working overtime.
Impressions of gestures, words, looks,
were being photographed upon my mind
began to realize What lot L would
have to know before could feel myself
liz the class with girls 1 hoped to emu
late. The first two or three nights
when returned home 1 was not at
all tired. I really had done nothing to
make me tired. Miss Berger, the head
of the hat department in Silberstein's,
had shown me where the various mod
els were kept; then counseled me not
TO wait upon any of the smart patrons
who frequented the place, but to watch
and listen to the other girls. In man
ner Of speaking 1 did as I was told.
Only I regret to say 1 was not trying
to learn how to sell an expensive piece
of millinery. Instead l was marvel
ing at the way one girl wore her collars
or another girl arranged her hair or
third who spoke in exaggerated lady
like tones.
And thus after dinner. when 1 had
recounted to my mother the expert
ences of the day and 1 found myself
in my room, l spent hours before my
mirror doing my hair this way and
that, and scowling at my finger tips
because, in spite of heroic efforts, my
nails would not take the dazzling
polish 1. wanted them to have. But,
however stupid 1 might be in learning
the things that mattered. was, alas, all
too quick in assimilating that which
could not count. Already at the end
of a week there was decided change
in my appearance. The color in my
cheeks was toned down with heavy
powder Ny hair was arranged in the
mode of the moment; / had even dared
to enhance the size and luster of my
eyes with a dash of black at their outer
corners. I was doing all that L could
to make myself over
But 1 was puzzled and chagrined to
find how little any one seemed inter-
ested in my efforts. To be sure, /
noticed that men stared at me as
went home in the evening after the
shop was closed. But I was amazed
to find how little friendliness the
girls with whom 1 worked were willing
TO show me. / told myself at first
it must be because of my awkward and
unattractive appearance. Then, as grad
to their ideals-and still 1 seemed sur
rounded by an atmosphere of aloof-
ness-the situation began to wear upon
my nerves. 1 began to think l had
gained nothing after all by going to
work. BY the middle of the second
week l was almost ready to stop. Then
something happened which gave. me
key to the solution of my difficulties.
One. of the girls, Lucy Ludlow by
Il -rrkA afH cd ma
in the whole shop. was putting some
hats away after attending to a GUS
toner. I arose from where had been
sitting near her and asked her IL I
could not help her.
mo, thanks" said Lucy CURLY.
Something drove me on to protest.
But, please, why not?' I said. 81
know where the hats belong. Don't
you like me? Why won't you let me
help you?"
The girl Strengthened herself from
where she had sheen leaning over a
drawer. She looked at me curiously
why. don't know whether 1 like
you or not" she answered slowly. at
isn't that"
What is it, them" 1 asked won't
you tell me?'
And then in a burst of confidence:
why don't the girls here like me?"
Lucy gave an impatient gesture.
Don't be sillyr' she said. "Tisn't
a question of like or dislike, as I told
you It's just that-say, what are you
here for. anyway"
I met her gaze with entire frank
ness
Because / want to learn to work"
told her. land because 1 was tired
of being cooped up at home I'd never
been anywhere, done anything. I wanted
to learn to look and act the way you
girls do" 1 ended with unconscious
tactfulness.
WELL" said Lucy slowly, aren't you
a particular friend of Mr.. Levy's?"
Mr.. Isevy2" + repeated blankly.
Sure" said Lucy, the head OF the