The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-25
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
lNfARY,S BIG IDEA
CHAPTER rs.

! Il have been thinkin' of it ever
since I went into the restaurant, Zena.
; 1t has always seemed to me that with
| all your education and my experience
I with them workin' people, that we
might do something ourselves"
Il don't understand, Mary"
you see. all we need is a little
money. Not so much to make a start"
4 don't know what you are driving
at, Mary. But I do know that money
| is the one thing we haven't"
Don't I know that, tool But Zena,
amt they no way where two girls.
honest and straight. who want to get
along IN the world, can raise money %
Il suppose they borrow-if they
have friends"
But if they amt got no friends, but
know they can make good?"
I'm afraid that no one would lend
them money simply because they be-
lieved in themselves, Mary"
'Zena, how much could you get on
them pearls and things of yours %
Then without waiting for an answer,
she went en-: L know how you feel
about them. But don't you think your
father would be happier to know they
was maxim your life easier, than just
up because he give them to you? /
do. Zena.'
But that money, even if could get
almost what they are worth, wouldn't
be a great amount, Mary. But do tell
me what you have in your mind. I'm
all in the dark"
We'll, you know how them little
tea rooms has sprung up all over Chi
cago? And
YES" 1 interrupted, a glimmer of
her meaning coming to me, 4 have
noticed ever so many of them, and
wondered how. they all lived"
Lived! They make money, every
single one of them. Folks will eat.
Zena-all of them. Some eats be-
cause they has to to keep alive, some
eats because they loves, but no matt
ter what their reason, they all eats.
Now I've been learnin' a lot since 1
been in that restaurant. Folks like
real simple things If they is cooked
right, and served dainty like. Now
my big idea is to get a tiny little place,
learn to cook one or two things per-
feet, then serve them real dainty
like I said. We'd have to start awful
small of course. just two or three
tables. But I'll bet we could make
expenses if you would look after fiXin'
the place like you know how, with all
them cute funny little. candIesticks,
and things that don't cost much, but
people think makes a place swell"
'I wonder" no one can know how
Mary's idea appealed to me. To be my
own boss, matter how hard I had to
work, to try to develop a business of
our own--it would be fascinating!
81 don't wonder a bit. I know we
can do it. I hated to say anything
about it, Zena. because I amt got no
money! mean I haven't got no mon
ey, is that right2 But I'll work so
hard until we git started, then III save
n us a
much as you did. We will make it go,
Zena. don't you think So"
Mary. ask Mrs. Fagin to come
here"
whom. Mrs. Fagin followed Mary into
Mrs. Fagin listened without COM
ment. save for an emphatic nod Of her
head at times. or dissenting gesture
When Mary had finished, she said:
81 know a man who will let you
have almost all your things are worth
He was an old chum of Fagin's. be-
lieve you two girls can do it. III help
all I can. There's some tables and
chairs in the cellar, amt had no use
for; they is aWfully dirty, but
"Sone white paint" interrupted.
Eyes, some white paint would make
them all right for your use Then you
can have them candle sticks on the
parIor mantel They is old fashioned,
but them places seem to like old-1ash-
toned things And I'll show you how
to make griddie cakes-hers were IA
mous-"no, III make them myself for
a few DAYS until YOU get things goin.
then you can be learning at the same
time"
at sure is!'' Il replied, using a pet
expression of Marys,
1Tomorrow-A friend IN needy