The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-07
JUST AfGIRL
AUNT SUSAN TELLS a STORY.
Blu JANE PHELPS

Chapter Sc
"Oh, look. Aunt Susan. I found it
in the attic! May 1 use it?' I ex-
claimed as staggered under my
heavy load.
You shouldn't have carried it
down, Zena Why didn't you call
on the table, breathing hard as I did
so.
I'm all right, 1 was so excited
when 1 found it. Where did you get
typewriter, Aunt Susan?"
Mother asked.
"A young man boarded with me
/ long time ago. He left it. and never
sent for it. In fact. I never heard
from him after he left"
How long ago was that Susan?"
About four years"
Then 1 may use it? exclaimed.
Certainly! Use it all you want to.
am sure the young man would not
object l believe something must have
happened to him. He was a writer
a story writer-and used the machine
all day long some days. Then, too, he
was here a long time, and seemed
rather fond of me. 1 think he would
have written me if he-was still alive"
Did he owe you anything?" Mother
asked. while I examined the type
Aunt Susan flushed The dear old
soul was not going to tell US that the
machine had been the only thing the
young man left her for a debt of
month";. But Mother wormed it out of
her. 1t seemed the young man-she
write feverishly for weeks, send his
story off, and then it would come
back.
He sold one or two while he was
with me. But he didn't get much for
them. The editors sent him nice little
notes, most of them printed, saying
his story wasn't just what they
wanted, but they would be glad to
hear from him again. 1t would have
been kinder had they told him he
couldn't write, and that he had better
choose some other occupation. OF
course 1 didn't know anything about
writing stories, but those editors did,
and l think it was wrong to encour-
age the poor fellow"
L had listened rather impatientIy to
aunt Susan's story of the young story
writer. wanted to try to write my
ser not stories, but to learn to use
the machine. All my desires to be in
some private office came back to me.
T1t r no wonder 1 was excited at find
ing the typewriter.
Only the day before the doctor had
asked me many questions as to what
l.
could not lift trays; in fact, that 1
must not lift anything. or exert my
self in that way, for a long time.
I doubt if you will ever be able
to do the work you have been doiyg
again.
I had said nothing of this to either
mother or Aunt Susan, and had bound
the doctor to silence. But 1 had not
closed my eyes all night. 1 felt sure
ne was right, as any exertion brought
a sharp pain with it, But also knew
| that had to earn my own living and
that 1 must some time make a home
Ior mother. Aunt Susan was older
! than she, and if anything happened to
her. mother would have no home.
When 1 found the typewriter a rush
! or nope swept over me. would learn
10 use IT. 1 would commence that very
day. Then when I went back, 1 would
take it with me. or hire one, and help
in the restaurant until I was compe-
tent. then get a position in an office,
where would not be on my feet all
heavy.
viii you carry it to my room.
MOTHER" 1 asked. Il shall drive you
and Aunt Susan wild if I stay here. I
am going to start right away learning
to use it,
nothing about it,"
/ I'll pick it out at first with one
finger. like I used to pick out pieces
on the piano when 1 was supposed to
be practicing exercises" 1 retorted
happily.
why don't you write to the firm
that makes them and ask II they have
MT some sort of instruction book %
practical Aunt Susan asked
81 will! Thank you for the sugges-
tion.' replied as I followed mother
with the typewriter to the room Aunt
Susan made mine while I was with
them.
(Tomorrow-An intimate talk.)