Gilpin observer., 1920-03-18
MICE AND A
PUMPKIN
COACH
By CRAWFORD LUTTRELL
90 1920. by Meclur. Newspaper syndicate.

tS. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
well, my first day at the office is
over, and l can honestly say that en-
joyed it," Nan announced to the anx-
iously inquiring two who turned to
welcome her ut the sound OF her key
in the lock. She tossed Off her smart
black sailor hat and sat down on
hassock by her mother. Il feel so i'm
portant, and although l don't know
much yet, l know that will learn.
am giving my entire time and thought
to 1t. | have no silly sentimental ideas
about my boss falling in love with me.
Fortunately, he is bald. fat and forty,
ana his wife rings up every two or
three hours to tell him something
about the kids or to remind him to 20
by the bakers for bread. Why don't
women attend to their own business
us men do?"
"Pshaw!" sighed iifteen-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 | can find that agreeable
sort Of boss next time | look for
work" Then to her mother: II am
glad that things are just as they are.
Personally | 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. dear?"
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 a fate
guarding these issues of life. Perhaps
1t sounds foolish for an old woman
like me to say such things, but 1t Is
one of my pet theories, grounded In in
Vulnerable cases of fact that ! have
observed"
II don't agree with you, mother"
said the sophisticated fifteen year-old.
when | grow up am going to pick
out the best-looking, richest man In
town and set about making him fall
IN love with me. Getting married is
every woman's first business in life
Why, already ! am encouraging Billy
McMahan. His father owns plumb.
Ing place, ] 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 y
gasped Nan. ITS hard to say such
things to mother, Ruthie. You know
it shocks her."
"You might just ms well know how
! feel about such things. OF course.
l expect to go to work Just as soon
ms leave high school and help cheer
fully so that you will have most of
your salary TO spend on Yourself Nan.
Mother has her little income and may
be by that time prices will take n
tumble and we can manage better than
we do now."
Mrs. Taylor laughed bit shakily.
Then she drew a letter from her dress
pocket. 81 have some astonishing
news, glrlies. Nan, you can resign
tomorrow"
"ResIgn! Why?"
Your father bought some mining
stock many years ago and we just con.
sidered the money lost, but today
while you were at the Office and Ruth
was at school strange lawyer called
and told me that-that we are TO
have three hundred dollars month
from the investment. I wanted to ring
both of you and tell You To run right
home, but ! saved the news for n
happy surprise tonight"
Ruth threw her books on the floor
and began sort of Indian war dance,
chanting weirdly rs she circled the
two. Nan sat there ms If she had
been turned into stone.
Aren't you glad, Nan, dear?" asked
her mother, bending over to touch her.
"Pm just staggered, stunned, but
am not going TO give up my position. "
"Why, child. we can live beautiful
y on what ] 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 20
Ing into mans Office to earn my own
livelihood. All those months that
studied at business college were like a
nightmare to me, but | conquered the
feeling and now ] won't give II up.
feel capable. like getting up and
going out every day. like the hum
OF the office. people coming and going.
all of IT, II fascinates me-"
"I'll bet there is man In that Of.
flee that you like" exploded Ruth
suddenly.
Nobody but MIR. Henderson, and he
doesn't look us If he had ever been
young enough to think of romance"
explained Nan huughtily.
II thought you said the firm was
henderson 4 Henderson. diLIIyhfer ["