The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-05-21
MICE N 4
PUMPKIN
COACH
By CRAWFORD LUTTREM


tG. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate }
"WeIl, my first day at the office is
over, and | can honestly say that | en-.
jOyed it," Nan announced to the anX-
iously inQuirihg TWO who turned to
Welcome her at the sound of her key
in the lock. She tossed off her smart
black suilOr hat and sat down ON a
haSsock by her mother. II feel so I'M
pOrtant, and although | don't know
much yet, | know that | will learn. /
am giving my entire time and thought
10 1t. I have no silly sentimental ideas
about my boss falling in love with me.
Fortunately, he is bald, fat and forty,
and his wife rings up every two or
three hours to tell him something
about the kids or TO remind him to go
by the bakers for bread. Why don't
women attend to their own business
as men do?"
"Pshaw p sighed fifteen year-old
Ruth. 81 hoped that there would be
a young man in the office, gOod-lookinp
and rich, and that he would come
around ON Sundays and take MS ali
out riding to the country"
Nan looked up at her and winked
perhaps | can find that agreeable
sort of boss next time | took for
work" Then 10 her mother: 81 an'
glad that things are Just as they are.
Personally ] don't believe in mixing
business and pleasure and In drawing
IL weekly pay envelope for time spent
in trying TO get a husband. DO you
muddie, dearY"
when the right man comes along
you'll know 1t, Nan, whether you are
at a dance or buying chops at a butch.
er's, believe that there is a fate
guarding these issues Of life. Perhaps
II sounds foolish for an old woman
like me to say such things, but it is
me of my pet theories, grounded in in
Vulnerable cases Of fact that | have
observed"
81 don't agree with you, mother
said the sophisticated ifteen-year-Old
when ] grow up ! am going to.pick
out the beSt-looking. richest man In
town and set about making him falI
In love with me. Getting married is
every woman's first business in life
Why, already ] am encouraging Billy
McAlahan. His father owns "A plumb
Ing place. | know. hut he is making
money so fast that in two or three
wears from now the daily papers will
quote him about everything. calling
him colonel or general or something
Blood don't count any more. Why
nobody but the ten-year census mar
ever asks about your grandmother"
"0h, wisdom In short sklrtsl'
gasped Nan. ITS hard to say Sucl
things to mother. Ruthie. You know
II shocks her"
"You might Just as well know'hov
] feel about such things. OF course
/ expect To 90 to work just as sool
as ] leave high school and help cheer
fully so that you will have most o
your salary to spend on yourself, Nan
Mother has her little income and may
be by that time prices will take
tumble and we can manage better than
we do now"
Mrs. Taylor laughed a bit shaklly
Then she drew a letter from her dres.
pocket. 81 have some astoniShln,
news, girlles. Nan, you can reslgl
tomorrow
"Resignl Why?"
"YOur father bought some mlninI
stock many years ago and we Just con
sldered the money lost, but tOda,
while you were at the office and RutI
was at school a strange lawyer calleI
and told me that-that we are {
have three hundred dollars a mont
from the investment | wanted to rim
both Of you md tell you to run RICH
home, but I saved the news for
happy surprise tonight.
Ruth threw her books on the foo
and began a sort of Indian war dane,
chanting welrdly as she circled tn
two. Nan sat there as II she ha
been turned into stone.
Aren't you glad, Nan. dear?" aske
her mother, bending over to touch he
"Tm just staggered, stunned, but
am not going TO give up my position.
"Why, child, we can live beautiful
ly on what | have and that three hun
dred and send Ruth to college, too"
81 know said Nan, seriously. "a
nearly killed me to even think Of G,
ing Into a mans Office TO earn my ow
livelihood. All those months that
studied ut business college were like
nightmare TO me, but | conquered III
feeling and now | won't give II up.
feel capable. / like getting up an
going out every day. | like the hui
OF the Office, people coming and goin.
all Of II. II fascinates me-"
an bet there is a mar in that o
fee that you like" exploded Rut
suddenly.
".Nobody but Mr.. Henderson. and /
doesn't look as If he had ever bee
young enough TO think OF romance
explained Nan haughtily.
az thought you said the firm vi
Henderson & Henderson, %daughteri'
at Is. He has a brother or a nephe
- comohodv whn dnoe all NJ Tho nj