The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-09-05


than usual. She really felt, without
knowing why, that she had taken
step toward her own emancipation.
What if she did lose her job? AT least
if she did, something might happen
there might be some adventure coma
nected with the next one, and in the
rut she had been keeping for two years
there was nothing but mOnOtOny. She
thought of the man she had just mani
cured. Really he hadn't disliked it be-
cause she told him the truth. He had
looked at her with interest. She had
at least surprised him and that was
more than she had ever done to any
other customer in two years.
After the lunch hour, when Charlotte
was summoned to the office of the new
efficiency man, she thought only that
perhaps he wanted to see all those who
had not attended his talk. She actually
did turn little pale when she realized
that he was the same decidedly good
looking young man whose nails she
had recently manicured. She noticed
that the high polish had been rubbed
off He asked her to take chair be-
side his desk, and then he proceeded to
give her a little talk on efficiency pure
ly for lrer own benefit. 1t was an A, Il,
c lesson in craftsmanship. He assumed
that she had never heard anything of
the sort before and assured her that IL
she only plOdded ahead in the way. he
suggested she would reap her reward.
Success would be hers-she would
work herself out of the rank and file,
etc.
Then Charlotte waxed eloquent In
reply. In fact, she rose and stood over
Mr. Avery Bakers desk and her eyes
flashed as she talked to him.
I'm through with this efficiency
game" she announced. 'rve been peg
ging away at it ever since | came, and
I'm shampooing the same stupid peo-
pie and manicuring the same hands
and getting the same wages and tell
ing the same lies and hoping the same
hopes that was two years ago. That
is. | went on hOpin" I'd get my reward
till this morning l realized that-that
there just wasn't any reward. What do
you people mean when you talk about
forging ahead? Tell me, Mr.. Efficiency
Man, where is the golden opportunity
you're always holding up as an incen-
tive?"
Mr. Avery Baker evaded the ques-
ton as tactfully as possible and saved
his reputation as an expert by assur-
ing Charlotte that her real trouble was
that she was a round peg in Il square
hole. He said he had made a tour OF
the store that morning and had got his
nails maniCured not because he care''
for high poliSh-She was really quite
right in saying what she did, though
it was very bad salesmanship-but 10
test the work of that department. He
had realized that she had the wrong
point of view and that is why he hai
sent for her. Now he knew she had
ability and she was no longer to work
In the beauty department. She was to
be his assistant. She could talk eT-
tremely wcll-that she had just proved
and she could help him in his les
sons in craftsmanship.
1t was only two months later that
Avery Baker, after due elaboration.
realized that his entire happiness rs
well as his complete efficiency depend
ed on his marrying Charlotte Day, and
Charlotte had in a measure decided
that, We're the opportunity to arise for
her to accept a proposal from Nj.
Avery Baker, she would hesitate only
long enough for appearances sake.
you'll have to admit" laughed
Avery, that I'm some efficiency man.
found you unsuccessful in the beauty
parlor and knew right away that you'd
double my own efficiency and achieve
my complete happiness if you became
my life partner"
Charlotte pondered moment
still" she said, ''the reward didn't
come because | peggcd ahead and did
my best the way I'd been told. 1t all
began the day decided I'd break away
and forget the efficiency stuff. If I'd
gone on as | had for two years I'd be
counting Mrs. Armstrong; chns and
Mrs. Peabody's warts"
Avery Baker looked quizzically into
Charlotte's face. perhaps you are
right. In your case perhaps it was
better to break away. But, Charlotte
dear, from the efficiency mans point Of
view it is a very unsatisfactory moral
for our little romance"