The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-10
JUST A GIRL
MRS STEWARDS ATTITUDE
TOWARD WORK
By JANE PHELPS

Now followed a very busy time for
me. The head of our bond depart
ment was very ILL., and I, his assistant,
had full charge. Naturally Mr.. Clax-
ton kept an eye on what went on
but, after all, the work and rezpon-
sibility devolved upon me.
You are sure it isn't too much
for your" he asked.
II am perfectly well. and the work
doesn't hurt me-" replied. II enjoy
it,
He had asked the same question re-
peatedly, end my replies had all been
about the same. 1t was hard work
Tor a young girl, but did enjoy every
1 couldn't hide that I was very
tired when night came, and mother
and Aunt Susan fused over me like
couple of hens with only one chick
between them. But in the morning
| was fresh and rested, eager to get
down and face the days work.
That child thrives on hard work."
Aunt Susan said, while mother, as
usual, sighed before she replied:
Poor Zena! Her life is so differ
ent from what 1 hoped it would be-"
"Zena isn't poor at ALL" I retorted
laughingly. She is rich with a darl-
ing mother and an aunt. And as for
the work, 1 love it. I wouldn't be
half so happy going to parties and
firing myself out dancing as I am in
the office. 1t Is great to feel that one
amounts to something in the world
But as 1 left the room I heard mother
say again: Poor zena!"
-'Poor- mother" L said to myself
She loved me SO dearly, that she was
constantly comparing what 1 had and
lowly position now--rather, my lack
of any position.
When dad was alive, and mother
was herself-well and happy-her So
cial duties and position meant a great
deal to her. She had been so care
fu1 that L knew none but the right
boys and girls, had exercised such
loving chaperonage, that the life of
a working girl by contrast, seemed to
her to lack everything. Having never
earned money, never known the sat
isfaction that comes with business ac-
she thought it all grind.
IF you only had some young COM
panions" she often fretted-"compan-
ions of the right sort, it wouldn't be
so bad. But Tom and Mary seem the
only ones you seem to know or care
about
They are! You see, I am very
choice in the number as well as the
kind of people 1 know"
at isn't natural"
bUt, fnuHlSl0 DEAR QOn I you KNOW
that the sort of young people you
mean. wouldn't care to know me, and
1 would have no time for them IL they
did. Really. 1 have ceased to think
about the good times I used to have.
did at first when / was ignorant of
business. when 1 worked hard for just
bread and butter, and didn't love the
work. But now things are so differ
emit I really enjoy my work. 1 am so
happy to know 1 have made some adj
vancement in a position where it
counts. It isn't hard any more, moth
er. It's like play. 1t is play to me,
partment, because I am SO intensely
Interested in the work.
But you get 50 tired
"Of course 1 do! But 1 would get
tired dancing-and doing the other
things society girls do"
My only comfort is that you are in
such a nice place, and that Mr.. Clax-
ton seenns to appreciate you"
I often had to laugh at mother be-
cause of her attitude toward my en-
ployer. She took ali his thoughtful
appreciated me-rather, than my
work. She hadn't the slightest idea
that he cared at all for me: 1t was
simply that he delighted in having a
girl Hike Zena Stewart, her daughter.
in his office. There was no use telling
her that had / not done his work satis-
factorily 1 would not have been re-
tanned. 1t did no good. so I tried not
to argue with her. yet often 1 could
not help myself-her deductions were
so perfectly ridiculous. Il
(Tomorrow-Mary a philosopher.)