The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-10-04
: BER EpHslI IN IElg !
BY JANE MCLEAN.

there's really nothing at all TO LIE"
mid Tessie. despondently. :AM these
people who write about the beautiful
hlngs that happen don't know, that's
,l; they've never been up against it"
Her companion did not answer all
1t once. She was walking along at
Iese's side, thinking about the words
dat had just been spoken. Were they
true! II 80, what was the use of It
Oh!
leslie was speaking again.
You know, some of us girls was |
Vondering the other night how you
aand for 1t. You dent seem like the
rest Of us, and vet you don't do half
he complainin' we do.'
The other girl smiled at this.
Complaining doesn't do any good"
"Yes. it does; 1t seems to help things
a lot Of us get together and talk |
bout our troubles"
"You think it does, but it really
Doesn't help. Things are just as bad
liter you go back to them again."
The speaker was a slight, dark girl.
She had thoughtful eyes and rounded,
sristocratic little chin. She was differ.
ent from Tessie, who was worker
and whose people were workers. She
looked as though she had come from a
different world, and had known diff.
ferent people, and yet she worked next
to Tessie at the ribbon counter.
"What do you think about it all?"
Tessie asked, suddenly.
The other girl turned to her. II
wonder if it would help you if I told
you what I really do think?"
"Sure it would" the other girl re.
sponded. "Here we've been walkin'
home together for two weeks now, and
you've never said what you think right
out"
"If do tell you, Tessie, you vent
speak of it to the other girls, will you?"
Tessie promised quickly, almost
breathlessly, and the other girl smiled
again, her smile that somehow carried
more In it than the ordinary smile of
girl of her age.
swell, Tessie, came down here be-
cause wanted to know more about
life. thought that the life I was lead.
Ing was too narrow"
you mean you don't have to work
II you don't want TOT" Tessie spoke,
suspiciously. There is nothing that so
frightens working gin and so quick.
" places her on guard as the thought
that she is being made material of in
one way or another.
mo, I don't have to work." the other
girl returned, "but don't misunder.
stand, Tessie. I didn't come down here
to find out about you, I came to find
out about myself. oh, you haven't any
kea how hated life at home. finally
ame to the conclusion that nothing
could be worse than life where
couldn't think my own thoughts. !
wanted to be free, so I Just cut away
from it all and came down town and
got position in a store"
Like one Of those society girls who
want to find out about us girls who
work." said Jessie bitterly.
mo, not a bit like that" the other
girl responded.
Why not? You're just like them,
having play time now, and going back
10 Inc gay life when you're tired of it
ALL" $500
But I'm not going back to it,
lessle stopped for moment on the
s'feet and stared, then she walked ON
In silence.
I'm not going back to the old life,
Iessle' because I've found something
u aills That the old life never had"
lessle laughed q mirthless little
That's joke!" she exclaimed. 1T
uust De a lot Of fun for you to get up
tails and work all day for just enough
" a. yourself and keep life going"
~ But 1t isn't just that that counts.
~. We aon have to stay at a ribbon coun-
Ut all our lives, Tessie. Why, do you
.uow that I have found something in
~ %ls life that never had in the old?
I've found friend, a real friend. May
y, You think that doesn't mean some
ming to me-"
lessie Redeemed and shy smile
4ept across her sullen little face.
We have been sort Of polls, haven't
veg! she said softly.
that's just it." the other girl re-
ponded. "And we live our own lives
u sense, because we're not hampered
WIN the old conventionalities that
.'ose one In up where I lived. We're
uennite personalities, each with
nance to fight for survival. And we're
sung to fight, Tessie, do you hear, you
' are both going to fight for our ex-
s1ence, and that's all that really mat
'ers. You're with me, aren't your"
And Tessie, who did not quite under
stand it yet, felt suddenly great
ualne Of courage, something new to her
colorless little life. something great
deal like Chicago Evening
American.