The Pageland journal. [volume] (Pageland, S.C.) 1911-1978, 1918-02-06
The Efficiency
Girl

By /. WRIGHT

Inc ClHSSl0eQ OluCeb
were agog with excitement and buzz
ing. Dust cloths unused for weeks
were being ficked across the highly
poiisiic,i desks, welisharpsnsd pencils
were being passed along the counters
where the ad takers stood all day
checking up the number Of spaces, the
number of words and costs Of inser
ffhns In the classified advertising
pages Of the Chicago Mirror. Mary
Connolly alone was unimpressed BY
the news Of the efficiency expert who,
from the astounding rumors floating
about, was evidently to come into the
classified advertising offices, look
about with the sharp eye Of a keen de-
tective, suggest very radical changes
here and there as to lighting, position
Of desks and the cashiers cage and,
worst Of all-fire instantly those clerks
who were in any way inefficient.
"The top Of the mornin' to you, Su-
sic McGinnis," she said gayly. taking
out her fountain pen. And why all
Of this merry cleaning and rushing
about? The efficiency man-if he's
any efficiency man at all-will sec
through your little foibles."
II wish you'd call me Suzanne" pet
tishly exclaimed Susie McGinnis And
] think you don't realize the impor-
tance Of this man. The boss upstairs
has seen him work before and he's told
him that he can have any one in the
whole place he wants to assist him.
Wouldn't that beat the cats pajamasf
The efficiency girl! L"
A shabbily gowned old lady had
come up to the desk and was waiting
in front Of Mary Connolly. Did you
have an advertisement to placer
asked Mary pleasantly.
Yes. did," answered the old lady
tartly. You didn't think / was stand
ing here merely to hear that bobbed-
headed young miss there use new
slang, did your Her black eyes
snapped ans-!!y.
81 beg your pardon" murmured
Mary. perhaps I can write your ad-
vertisement for your" She was look
ing at the empty hands Of the adver-
tiser.
"It's not much to write. Just say:
Wanted: a ROOM"
Mary stared at her. Odd were
many Of the advertisements placed
with her each day. Brief were some
OF them. But this one! No one would
know from the advertisement In what
part Of the city 1t was desired. what
type Of room-good accommodations
with their commensurate cost or lee
conrenieaHt- ones that would be reas g
able-a hundred ideas flashed thfodEn
Mary Connolly's mind. She herself,
seeing the little old lady with her
shabby black outfit. guessed that an
inexpensive room was desired. Yet
she could not be sure.
Suppose we put In Just a little
more" she ventured gently. "You see
1t doesn't tell much-just wanted: a
room!'"
Doesn't tell muchl Doesn't tell
much!" snapped the old lady. Tell
me right to my face I'm an idiot, will
you? I'll have my son come down
here at once-rll tell him the whole
thing, that will! IAN idiot. in
deed" Angrily she shook her head at
the bewildered Mary. whose face was
red and white by turns.
"But-I-" gasped Mary, wondering
how affairs could have taken such a
turn that she should be accused OF
calling gentle-looking old lady IN
rusty black an idiot
A man standing near came forward
and Mary was not surprised at all, 50
excited was she, to hear the old lady
call him John and tell him that the
young lady had called her a fool.
"I-" again &c sped Mary. 1--WE have
orders to assist in the advertisements
whenever It is possible. You see." she
explained earnestly. I'VE don't accept
less than two lines, and 30 I wasn't
trying to get her to pay any more
money out. 1t was just that II she
said where she wanted the room and
what price she wanted to pay or wha,
kind Of room she wanted, whether for
r"oming. boarding or light housekeep
Ing why. YOU see. she would. have
more replies. ! was thinking Of the
answers she would have-I-I-" Mar,
'onnolly's blue eyes filed. Noise OF
any sort was undesirable In the cIassi
fed advertising offices and there was
no doubt that dismissal would follow
such scene as this. Above that, how
ever. was the idea that she had wound
cd the gentle little old lady in he,
faded suit.
She heard across the polished coun
ter the tall man called John explain
Ing tbe whole thing in low tones Sew.
eral tears rolled down Mary's cheeks
and she was aware OF the Interested
eyes Of the other ad-takers In n few
minutes the little black bonnet Of the