The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-16
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
BAD LUCK.

CHAPTER Al.
knew the two simple souls in that
little Mohawk Valley town would not
read too closely between the lines
but life as we had had it when dad
was alive, and Aunt Susan knowing
nothing Of city life So 1 sent off my
letter, sure it would prove satisfying
! went to the corner - NAH it about
7 o'clock. Then, again hungry. cent
to the cafeteria for dinner This eiflg0-
a cross looking, black Haired girl
checked my tray. l felt suddenly de-
pressed because of the incident. Yet
I knew l couldn't hope always to see
my white haired friend with the cheer
full smile.
When I returned to my room, I sat
down and counted my money. was.
absolutely frightened. Only two days
room rent the bit had dropped into
the collection basket at~church. the
papers had bought, had made a big
-hole in my little pile.
must be more economical until I
got work. But how?
had read of working girls cooking
over gas jet, but never had really
taken it literally. Now 1 looked at the
single burner, weighing the possibility.
1t had been turned off to the small
doubt. had found it difficult to rsad
by it. Perhaps I could make a cup of
tea. and by bringing in some buns
have my breakfast. 1t was coming
summer. and I could have bread and
milk for luhch-dinner. too. If neces-
sary. I was fond of it. and it was
nourishing. So planned, not reaiiz-
ing that one must have a certain va
riety in food to keep we'll
But I wasn't unduly worried over
my funds. would have work in a
day or. two at most. Then 1 would
move to a better place. land have
better room
slept fitfulIy that night. waking
with my mind full of thoughts of what
l might find on the morrow.-I was up
early. and made a careful toilet, then
started for my cafeteria for breakfast.
had coffee, eggs and toast. I might
have good deal of walking to do. and
no time for luncheon.
wish 1 could tell of the discour-
agements of that first day that L
hunted employment in Chicago. 1t
was heartbreaking. 1t would have
been even for girl who was accus-
toned to looking for work-to me it
was appalling.
references, and experience" was,
of course, the one great stumbling
block Responsibility, desire to work,
Willingness to accept small wages until
proof could be given, that I earned
more, were simply of no avail. eI
1t seemed that without these two
open sesames references and expert
ence, never could obtain work. But
1 had one qualification which helped
me, altho at the time 1 did not realize
lit. 1 had inherited something of dad
determination. his grit his doggedness.
1 had promised my saddened mother
to make a home for her. 1 would do
it-some way, somehow. s.
There was one place left at 4 O'Clock.
I knew looked tagged and tired, Chat
it was perhaps not wise to sprese n tapy :
! self under the circumstances Bec l
was near the office buildinge~sTh@ Ad-
vertisement had read. =
"Office girl wanted; must be neat
willing and obltging:" I surely was
neat, and the Lord knew 1 was will
i ing. I would try my best to please.
Surely I would secure the position If
someo one had not already gottens it
before me. x
I easily found the building. Itswas
| a big sky-scraper on La Sale street.
1 was not kept long waiting. A door
marked Private" opened. and the
shock headed, freekled office boy to
whom 1 had stated my errand, mo
toned me to enter.
| At first I was a bit bewildered by
the rnagnificence of the room. which
was rampantly flashy. as was the big,
double chinned occupant who sat be-
side the mahogany table.
! "Well. young lady, what can do
for you?" he asked as I stood just in
chin shook like jelly, giving him a
most peculiar look. His eyes. too.
seemed too close because of the fat
pouches underneath and the heavy,
| overhangins eyebrows.
Il came in answer to your adyer-
tisement I hope am not too Late.
(Tomorrowr-Disco ragement)