The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-21
JUST A GIRL
A SHOP GIRL.
By JANE PHELPS


! had had my trunk brought to Mrs.
Lynch's. saw no prospect that
should be able to pay more for a room
If I could pay what she asked,
would be thankful So I spent the
evening getting ready for the morning.
found some sheer linen collars and
cuffs in the trunk; plainly hem
| thought as l basted them in the dress
that they cost more than I could
earn in weeks hard work never oc-
CURED to me, or that the other girls,
as well as my customers, would know
that they did.
One article of my wardrobe worried
me-shoes. All my footwear had been
of the smartest kind. High heels were
not comfortable either to stand in ALI
day, or to walk in. as I had learned.
1 made up my mind to be very eco
nomical until I could purchase a pair
of more comfortable shoes-altho
had noticed that most OF the young
shop girls wore high heels.
! reported for duty promptly the
next morning. That could do any
way. I thought when a feeling of in
competency came over me. 1 could
be prompt, and faithful. 1 would try
so hard to please that they would be
patient with me.
"Git onto the new giriT' heard one
say to another. why don't she comb
her hair?"
l had worn my hair as I always had.
as dad liked it--drawn softly back
from my face and twisted in knot
low in my neck. / had quantities of
dark brown hair which waved natur-
"Don't she look oId-timey tho?" the
one addressed answered. She won't
be here long before she'll catch on.
I -. - n IN
the befrizzled girl turned to wait upon
a customer.
felt my cheeks burn, yet couldn't
help smiling. They thought me from
the country! Well. 1 almost felt that
New York was another. foreign
remarks make to mer That they
would make a great difference. I never
dreamed. Or that one poor wage
Garner had it in her power to make
another poor wase-earner SO uttefiy
! miserable as those two girls made me.
The waists were all marked in plain
figures. The sizes were supposed to be
also. Yet often they were not marked
CORRECTLY and I would come in for
terrible talking to from some doughty
customer who had bought one, only 10
| find it was either too large or too
small.
The lam about the counter was some
thing dreadful. The women would try
on the waists, expecting US to help
| them. watch their bags, and coats, etc.
We had no time to do this, as women
were eagerly waiting their turn and
the rEn. be-. of waists we sold meant
better standing with the floor walkers,
and with the manager of the depart
ment.
Sometimes the waists were torn in
the womens endeavor to pull them
from each other. At night If torn ones
were found. it worked against US. We
should watch our stock more carefully.
taev said.
ITS that new girl! She don't know
how to handle them" 1 overheard one
of the girls. Maud Wakefield, tell the
manager
She looks like a nice girl
shes nice all right, Too nice.
Have you noticed the kind of clothes
she wears? Gee, I'd like set of col
II lar and cuffs like she wears to work
| for my best. 1t would take week $
wages to earn them"
The manager made no reply, but
the next time she came to the counter,
1 felt her sharp eyes were taking in
every detail of my appearance. She
said nothing, but 1 had caught an
ominous glitter in her eyes that fright
ened me.
! 1t was day or two before she spoke
to me.
come to my office at noon, Miss
Stewart" she said and passed on.
IN bet the new girl is going to be
bounced" Maud told her ehunn.
Why"
Miss Marvin just told her to come
to her office. You know what that
means"
| row-clreumstantial evidence. }