Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-28
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Jenny's NeIo Job
Nv RUSSELL II. CLAYTON

fanny was roaming back and forth
between the tables, rearranging the pep
pcrs and salts on o:io. evening up the
niie of paper napkins IN another. 1t
wasn't part Of her job-Bess, the wait
ress, was supposed to attend to that
hut Il gave Jenny a pleasant feeling Of
nroprietorship to see that things were
Just right before the rush of CUSTOM
ara began from the succession OF early
morning boats due to dock presently at
their piers along the waterfront.
Jenny's regular Job was over behind
Tho cash register, where at the moment
M. Cooper himself. rotund and 1ovial,
was engaged In conversation with Pedro,
the fruit man from below. Suddenly
she paused, her hand on a catsup bottle
Alright? MY nephew, Fred, Is on his
way home-been gone two years. Likely
10 drop In most any time now
Jenny resumed her task, but her heart
was like lead within her. She had been
hired with the definite understanding
arrival OF Fred, Mr.. Cooper's nephew,
from overseas. And Jenny had grown to
love her work-the stimulating smell OF
coffee and hot crullers; the shiftins
streams Of transients who drifted In on
tier way to and from the steamers
he pleasant give and take of small talk
between herself and Mr. Cooper when
that gentleman dropped in after closing
hours to balance accounts. Yes, her
heart was leaden. Inexperienced In any
other line of work. not prepossessing, and
getting on toward thirty-five. she knew
she would find 1t difficult to land any
other Job at all, let alone one so pleas
ing.
at once to Mr.. Cooper. She must Know
at once how long time she mad III
which to hunt around for employment
"Mr. Cooper" she tesan. II hap
pened to overhear YOU BAY that your
nephew is coming home right away And
I'm thinking I'd better be hunting
around for a new place"
: BLESS my soul" Her employer re-
sarded her out of his mild blue eyes
never e do do +" Then, as the obvious wisdom
Of her words penetrated, he looked
thoughttul; Il had forgotten an a9ou' 9i
we'll have to see, my dear, he conclude, q !,
gels here"
with that Jenny had to be content.
But in the days that followed, every
opening Of tho door took on new i sig,
nifcance. The entrance of Fred would
, be the cue for her exit
Then one morning Mr.. Cooper came
IN, his face aglow, and with gulieless
simplicity proceeded to set forth the IDEA
which had come TO MIN oNerniBHt; I;
You're a downright smart girl, Jenny,
he began, leaning across the cigar case
and regarding her intently. And that
nephew Of mine Is as fine chap as ever
lNed-and very respectful of my wishes
About your age, too. And he has never
married. Now, between you and me. I'd
like to see him settle down with some
body I'd approve of. It's up to you
my dear!"
So that was her employers solution
Marriage with his nephew! The hrst
feeling OF Indignation melted beneath the
fire Of sudden thrilling hope. Long ago
she had laid away the thought or mar
riage. Now she brought 1t out and I'm
gered over 1t lovingly. What a won,
derful thing 1t would be to marry, and
particularly to marry a man who was
connected with this little business oi
which she had come to feel part
Late one evening Jenny sat ut the
desk copying tomorrow's menus. The
supper rush was long since over. Only q
man and n girl-a bridal pair, Jenny
had decided-dallied in the corner over
thelr cuts of apple pie. Interestedly she
watched them, investing them with that
halo OF romance she dreamed might soon
surmount her own humble head.
suddenly she Strengthened briskly ano
became all business. In came Mr
cooper, turned to speak to her, ther
stared at the man who was advancing
from the corner with outstretched hands
"Freddie!"