The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-11
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
MARY A GOOD BUSINESS
WOMAN.
CHAPTER lis.

How the time flew. Mary and Tam
were both very busy at the shop. The
business was constantly growing; they
were now cramped for room to serve
all that came fer pancakes and ether
things-as well as needing a larger
place to cook in. Tom had found such
place in the same locality, but it
would be at least two months before
Mary had proved remarkably clever
business woman. She had so littles
education, 1t was the more surprising.
She was clever, ingenious, quick to
see opportunity. If she mad fault in
business, it was that perhaps she was
too willing to take a long chance"
as Tom EXPRESSED it. But he was prae-
teal inclined to weigh all they did
carefully, and SO, as 1 have said be-
fore, acted as a balance for Mary.
What they had accomplished was
marvellous when one took into account
that all the capital we had had to
start the shop was the little I got on
my jewelry from the pawnbreker: and
the help Mrs. Fagin had given us. l
had been of very little use even at
first, save in fixing up the place at
traetivelyH and helping to plan. I
know now as l look back that I never
could have made the success Mary
| did my health, in the first place,
would not have permitted. 1 never
| had been very strong and restaurant
work is hard. Then, too, never could
| have accustomed myself to being
| tipped, to the manner of some of the
people who patroni9ed us. The work
| was not congenial. and / do not be-
lieve one can do good work unless it
| is.
But Mary was an inspiration. Heart
and soul we're in that little business
| she herself had built up. Next TO
Tom: she loved that shop better than
anything in the world 1t was ne
4 W
Mr.. Claxton frequently took a meal
at the shep, and was very much in
terested in both Tom and Mary
IF young people could realize what
! plioation and industry, we would have
| fewer unhappy marriages" he said
to me one day when I told him that
| Tom and Mary had only a short time
| before their wedding. Then he added:
/ working girls, accustomed to their
/ own pay envelopes and unaccustomed
to domestic work, are often dissatis-
| fled when they have to endure the
confinement of household duties, and
are without money of their own"
| But everyone can't go into bust
ness" / replied.
l. "No-but every working girl whe
has been Independent by her own eff
| forts should have an understanding
with the man she intends to marry.
| No matter how small his wage, If he
|
are married--as most men dot
| should be understood that a certain
| part of his money belongs to her. In
| other words, she should be paid for do
| ing the work of the home-paid in cash.
Then let her do her share in providing.
But it is unfair to girls who have been
| earners, to start their married life un-
der the handicap of either having no
| money they can call their own, or be-
| ing obliged to ask for it,
| IT think you should write a hook
on the subject, Mr. Claxten."
| He smiled, then asked: Don't you
agree with me?"
| 81 have never thought anything
about it, but I think you are right
Father and mother each had their own
bank account, or, rather, a Join ac-
count"
"Popr parents were in very different
| circumstances"
| t.YesHI do believe you are right.
have only been a working girl short
time, but should miss my pay en-
velope. ! delight in the feeling it
gives-that 1t is mine because / have
earned it, not as a gift
"And you do earn it, Miss Stewart,
every penny of it,
I did not realize 1t at that time. but
my employer often ehatted with me
| for a few moment when work hap
pened to be slack. He did 1t SO easily.
| in so matter eff fact q way. that l gave
| it no thought. Afterward I learned
that busy employers not often wasted
| their own and their employees time in
| chatting with them.
| 1 learned it in a very disagreeable
way thru overhearing a conversation
| between Miss wilcox and Mr.. Belts
| (Fomorrow-zena's responsibilities in
| crease.)