Graham guardian., 1920-06-25
MICE AND A
PUMPKIN
COACH
sy CRAWFORD LUrrRELL

4@>~es>AAAe>e<A~A%
tA is;a ~ Mcclure Newspaper syadiests,l
"weli, my nrst day at the office d
over. and l can honestly say that en-
J joyed IT," Nan announced to the anx
iously inquirinG two who turned te
welcome her at the sound Of her key
in the lock. She tossed of her smart
black sailor hat and sat down on q
hsssock by her mother. Il feel 50 I'm
portant. and although I don't know
much yet, know that will learn.
am giving my entire time and thought
to II. have no silly sentimental ideas
about my boss falling In love with me
Fortunately. he 10 bald. fat and forty
and his wife rings up every two OF
three hours to tell him something
about the kids or to remind him to 60
by the bakers for bread. Why DON,
women attend to their own business
as men dor"
"Pshawr sighed Afteen-year-old
Ruth. II hoped that there would be
young man in the Office, good-looking
and rich, and that he would come
around on Sundays and take US all
out riding to the country"
Nan looked up at her and winked
Perhaps 1 can find that agreeable
sort Of boss next time I look for
work" Then to her mother: II am
glad that things are just as they are.
Personally I don't believe in mixing
business and pleasure and In drawing
weekly pay envelope for time spent
In trying to get a husband. Do you,
muddie. dearT'
"when the right man comes along
you'll know It. Nan, whether you are
at dance or buying chops at butch
er's, / believe that there Is q fate
guarding these issues Of life. Perhaps
it sounds foolish for an old woman
like me to say such things. but II is
one Of my pet theories, grounded in In
Vulnerable cases Of fact that I have
observed"
II don't agree with you, mother" "
said the sophisticated fifteen-year-old.
when ! grow MP I am going to pick
out the best-looking, richest man I'm
town and set about making him fall
in love with me. Getting married is
every wonian's first business In life.
why, already ! am encouraging Billy
McMahnn. His father owns a plumb
Ing place, I know, but he is making
money so fast that IN two or three
years 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 man
ever asks about your grandmother"
"Oh, wisdom in short skirts 7"
gasped Nan. "It's hard to say such
things to mother, Ruthie. You know
IL shocks her."
"You might Just as well know how
feel about such things. OF course,
I expect TO 60 to work just as soon
as leave high school and help cheer
fully so that you win have most Of
your salary to spend on yourself, Nan.
Mother has her little income and may.
be by that time prices will take a
tumble and we can manage better than
we do now"
Mrs. Taylor laughed a bit shakily.
Then she drew q letter from her dress
pocket. ~ have some astonishing
news, girlies. Nan, you can resign
tomorrow"
'1Resignl Whyf"
'Your father bought some mining
stock many years ago and we Just con.
sidered the money lost, but today
while you were at the ONCE and Ruth
was at school strange lawyer called
and told me that-that we are to
have three hundred dollars a month
from the investment I wanted to ring
both Of you and tell you to run right
home, but saved the news for a
happy surprise tonight"
Ruth threw her books on the floor
and began q sort Of Indian war dance,
chanting weirdly as she circled the
two. Nan sat there as II she had
been turned into stone.
Aren't you glad. Nan, dearY' asked
her mother, bending over to touch her.
"I'm just staggered. stunned, but
am not going to give up my position"
"Why, child. We can live beautiful
ly on what I have and that three hun.
dred and send Ruth to college. too"
II know" said Nan. seriously. ut
nearly killed me to even think of 60.
Ing into a mans Office TO earn my own
livelihood, All those months that
studied at business college we're like a
nightmare to me, but l conquered the
feeling and now ! won't give II up. I
feel capable. I like getting up and
going out every day. I like the hum
Of the ONCE, people coming and going,
all Of II. II fascinates me-"
"Pll bet there is a man In that of.
Ace that you like" exploded Ruth
suddenly.
Nobody but Mr.. Henderson. and he
doesn't look as II he had ever been
young enough to think Of romance"
explained Nan hsughtily.
II thought you said the Arm was
Henderson q Henderson, daughterp
at is. He has brother or nephew
or somebody who does all OF the out.
of.town business. ! haven't even seen
him."
The telephone bell tinkled. then
rang vigorously. insistently.
IT'S q man and he wants you,
tersely announced Ruth, who always
rushed to answer calls.