The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-17
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
DISCOURAGEaIENT.
CHAPTER AZ.

CHAPTER AZ.
The fat man looked me up and
down, at my clothes rather than at me-
Lets see your references"
Il haven't any," my heart sinking.
Where have you worked, and why
did they discharge you? take it you
were discharged. if you have no refer
ences'
have never worked in Chicago. 1
nave never worked anywhere"
knew that my three weeks as maid
with Mrs. Rush would be no recon-
mendation. But you said nothing of
experiences or references" I said in
desperation. You said neat, willing,
and obliging"
"A girl with common sense takes the
other for granted. I wanted those
qualifications in addition. I'm sick
and tired of sloppy girls who don't
know how to comb their hair in my
office. You wear pretty good clothes
Tor a girl who wants work." he added.
They are all I have My father
died suddenly. and I had to find work
at once as we had nothing left"
same old gag Couldn't you think
OF something new? Old stuff"
My knees were trembling so 1 could
scarcely stand. He had not asked me
10 SIT and 1 still stood just inside the
Are you a good and fast typist :?
Can you read your own notes?"
"Ohl-You didn't say YOU wanted
girl"
What did you suppose an office
girl did? Sit around and look pretty,
or make goo-goo eyes at me?'
"Ohl" gasped again. 1t was all 1
was capable of. 1 couldn't have spok-
! en- to save my life
AN office ornament That is what
you want to be. is it? Well, you
wouldn't make a bad one. Leave your
address. and some time when 1 am
not busy might hire you for week
or two" His double chin seemed in
danger of disintegrating.
L CROPPED my way thru the outer Of
flee, past the grinning office boy. into
the hall, then down to the street. 1
mad been so optimistic about this ad-
vertisement, that the disappointment.
added to the insults, were almost more
than 1 could bear.
1 decided it would do no good to
look further for an office position.
And tired, discouraged, tears almost
| binding me, hurried back to nv
room to rest and wait for the morrow.
Too tired to eat then, bought a bot
tie of milk and some rolls and took
them in with me. I would eat them
later after 1 had rested a bit.
My feet were almost blistered. and 1
ached in every bone in my body. A
day spent in line waiting to interview
some one. or rushing from place to
place is horribly firing. Had it not
been for the work at Mrs. Rush's,
which had hardened me a bit, dom
believe I could have done it. AS It
! was, every muscle in my body ached.
! threw myself, all dressed, on the
/ bed. and must have fallen asleep i'm
mediately. 1t was 10 o'clock when 1
wakened. stiff and uncomfortable be-
| cause of my clothing. 1t had been not
quite s when I laid down.
undressed, then ate some bread
and milk. Naturally. I was wide awake
| by the time I had finished.
| 'I'll try the stores in the morning.
/ The exclusive shops first" 1 said as l
I looked over my list. ut would be nice
/ to get In a small place"
So in the morning I commenced a
| round of the exclusive shops. Mill
merry, underwear, stockings, all kinds
of goods that such shops deal in. But
they were worse than the offices in a
( way. They would not look at me. let
alone talk to me, when they found out
l had no references. ! heard one
hard-faced woman say to the girl who
J had announced me as "a girl looking
| for the place:
Tell her if she hasn't good refer
ences I can't waste any time. There
are too many thieves get into places
| like mine nowadays
/ Have you any references?" the girl
asked when she came back to me
No have never worked before"
well, then, there's no use wasting
your time here,i The last girl she
] took without references stole Madame
| blind. She wouldn't take you il you
was Queen Mary. without references. -
Rebuff followed rebuff-most of
| them based upon the fact that I had
no references.
ais there no faith in fhe world M
kindness?" 1 moaned as once more I
threw myself exhausted upon the bed
at the end of the day.
| ITO be continued