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


The classified advertising offices
were agog with excitement and buzz
ing. Dust cloths unused for weeks
were being hicked across the highly
polished desks, we|i-sharpsned 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-
tbns 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 tho
classified advertising Offices, look
about with the sharp eye Of a keen de-
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
about7 The efficiency man-if he's
any efficiency man at all-will see
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 tho
whole place he wants 70 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 ycu,
have an advertisement to placer
asked Mary pleasantly.
"Yes. 1 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 angrily.
Il beg your pardon" murmured
Mary, perhaps 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: ROOM"
Mary stared at her. Odd were
many Of the advertisements placed
with her each day. Brief were some
OF them. But this onel No one would
know from the advertisement In what
part Of the city II was desired, what
type Of room-good accommodates
With their commensurate cost or l6r6
asenieat ones Chat would be reSis 9
able--a hundred ideas mashed thfod i
Mary Connolly's. mind. She hsrs4lx
seeing the little old lady with her
shabby black outfit. guessed that an
Inexpensive room was desired Yet
she could not be sure. sS
Suppose we put In Just a little
more" she veDtured gently. "You see
1t doesn't tell much-just wanted: q
roomr" 's~~''
Doesn't tell muchl Doesn't tell
much!" snapped the old lady. TEL
me right to my face I'm an idiot, will
your I'll have my son come down
here at once-rll tell him the whole
thing, that 4 will! ran idiot. In
deed" Angrily she shook her head at
the bewildered Mary. whose face was
red and white by turns. - -
"But-II" gasped Mary, wondering
how affairs could have taken such a
turn that she should be accused OF
Ealing a gentle-looking old lady IN
rusty black7an idiot.
A man standing near came forward
and Mary was not surprised at all, 80
excited was she, to hear the old lady
call him John and tell him that the
young lady had called her a fool.
Il" again gasped Mary. = 1--WE have
orders, to assist In the advertisements
whenever It Is possible You see," she
explained earnestly, I'VE don't accent
less than two lines, and 30 I wasn't
trying to get her to pay any more
money out It was Just that II she
said where she wanted the room and
what price she wanted 20 pay or what
kind Of room she wanted, whether for
,rooming. boarding or light housekeep.
ing, why. you see, she would. ha We
more replies. was thinking OF the
answers she would have-I-I-" MARY
Connolly's blue eyes filled. Noise OF
any sort was undesirable In the ciassi.
fed advertising Offices and there was
no doubt that dismissal would follow
such a scene as this. Above that. how.
ever, was the idea that she had wound.
co the gentle little old lady in her
faded suit.
She heard across the polished coun.
Ter the tall man called John explain.
ing the whole thing in low tones. Sew.
erai tears rolled down Mary's cheeks
and she was aware Of the interested
eyes OF the other ad-takers. In a few
minutes the little black bonnet of the
old lady began TO nod. ~