The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-01
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
THE FIRST CUSTOMER.
CHAPTER 81.

CHAPTER 81.
Mrs. Fagin had scarcely mixed her
batter, and Mary and I set up the
tables, when in walked Mr.. Pope, the
real estate agent.
''whew," he whistled thru his teeth,
but this is scrumptious; Nlet me COM
pliment you young ladies. Is Mrs.
Fagin around?"
Sure she is. and waitin' 10 serve
you some lunch. she answered. It's
good you said nothing against me, be-
cause I could hear every word you
said. Set right down. the pancakes
will be ready in a minute"
will you have honey or syrup with
them % asked as he seated himself.
Honey, please. What else have
Iyou?"
Nothing today but doughnuts and
coffee
You mean the kind with lots of
sugar on?"
YES The kind your mother made"
1 answered smiling.
Zine! L see where my money will
go, and all I can hope is you will re-
fuse to serve me when 1 have had
enough"
Mrs. Fagin came out and talked to
him while he ate his cakes. She told
him shefcouldn't be there all the time.
but would keep track of things. He
promised to send us customers. and
they were chatting gayly when the
door opened and two nicely dressed
ladies came in. Mrs. Fagin fairly
scuttled off to the kitchen, while Mary
placed chairs for them at the window
table. the choice of one of them all.
What a pretty p1ace!" one of them
exclaimed. 1T looks so neat and
CHEEKY. Let me see a menu, please"
I'VE amt got nome" Mary replied.
I'VE only serve pancakes. doughnuts
and coffee today
"Oh-I did so want some toast and
teal"
81 think can manage that, madam, -
I had overheard. and had no inten-
/ ton of disappointing eur first custom
ers-and such nice looking ones. too.
'I'n take pancakes. too" she said.
and her companion duplicated her or
der
I whispered to Mrs. Fagin.
| You done just right. dearie. I
brought loaf of bread-it won't take
but a jiffy to toast it, And she
raised by the praise the women be-
slowed.
This is something like toast, 1t is
| delicious. You must have a good cook.
| It's time we had a decent place in this
part of town to run in for a bite"
/ ,
| and they ate each an order of pam
| cakes besides their toast and tea.
How much do 1 owe your" she
asked when they had finished.
Sixty cents apiece" said.
THAT is very reasonable. You will
see US often" When she left. there
was a quarter left beside her plate.
According to our agreement this went
into box to be used to bury stock or
anything needful.
Mr.. Pope, the real estate agent, had
fingered reading a newspaper. Now
he rose, and said:
Don't be too cheap in your prices.
You can't give food too cheap and
make a living"
wait a minute, Mr.. Pope" Mrs.
Fagin called, then came in wiping her
hands on her apron. Il want you to
look over these prices. Do you think
them about right?" We had put down
what. We thought we should charge
for the simple things We had decided
to serve.
"Yes-I should say these were about
right. Che enough. yet I think they
i will leave you margin of profit that
I will insure success when you get 60
ing. Then, too, if you are too cheap
you might get an undesirable crowd.
Um-yes-I think these prices will do
for a trial anyway"
Thank youl Come often and bring
your friends!" Mrs. Fagin said with a
| laugh as she disappeared.
| Several more dropped in for lunch.
Then Mrs. Fagin welt home, leaving
some batter ready mixed so If anyone
came in during the afternoon. She
| would come back to be there at tea
and dinner time.
Gee. but amt It SWELL" Mary ex-
claimed whtn we were alone.
1T is going to be very nice. Mary,
and it is all owing to you. I never
would have thought of1t-never dared
to try it had you not been so sure we
1 could succeed
! (Tomorrow-A happy day)