The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-10
JUST GIRL
ALONE IN CHICAGO.
Blu JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER Sc.

During all that long, lonely journey,
II planned and thought of what
would do when I reached Chicago.
had cut myself off from everyone who
knew me. I had written mother a
short note while waiting for my train,
not going into details. but simply say
ing that 1 felt could do better away
from New York-away from people
whom I had known. had never
written her of taking the position with
Mrs. Rush. I felt it would almost
break her heart to know I had done
such a thing as take a servants place.
Yet as I counted what remained of
my wages, I knew well that had 1
done anything else 1 would not have
had as much to show for my work. In
addition, had had good nourishing
food, the comfort of a bathroom, and
good comfortable sleeping room.
had not spent one cent save for paper
and postage to write mother.
Arrived in Chicago, felt rather be-
wildered, terribly alone, and some
thing very like panic seized me as
thought of the future.
I had bought a paper as soon as
room I scanned it's columns Tor a
place to live. That must be my first
task.
I had no idea of the streets In Chi
cago. so was ignorant as to location.
Finally I saw the matron looking in
quiringly at me, and I mustered up
courage to ask her:
| Would you tell me If this place is
in a respectable neighborhood?
She sat down beside me and, taking
the paper from my hand, she selected
few places which she said she
thought were all right.
But perhaps the prices may not
sui you" she looked at my clothes
everyone seemed to make my clothes
the standard by which they judged
me. yet you look as il you can af-
ford fair price"
Until I find work" told her.
"Ah'-then, '1et me see the paper
again." She evidently had selected
places I could not afford. For she
now marked two or three others in a
different locality, as she explained,
| but one easily reached by the street
cars.
IF you find nothing to suit you.
come back here. will see you are
taken care of for the night. Leave
your bags I'll check them for you.
Now hurryI 1t takes times to hunt
| homes in Chicago"
I left her feeling I had found a
friend. I had heard and read of these
kind women who watched the stations
| for girls who had no friends to meet
| lHcHl. SI6 udQ lOlQ ME To come Ddck
if I found nothing. I really felt quite
light hearted, considering, when ]
! started out to find a room.
1t was Saturday. The business
streets, canyons in cliffs of stone and
mortar lay hot in the early springtime
sun. 1t was one of those oppressive
days that occasionally come the first
! of May, a day like those we expect in
/ August, but under which we wilt and
| perspire when it comes SO early in the
I ~ Oh -f.1 ~
the street as tramped the bare con-
! crete to the corner where was to
take the car.
As 1 stood there waiting for a car
| there was a certain bitterness in my
mind. 1t had suddenly swept over me
i, Zena Stewart, the petted child OF
| loving parents, was as alone as il
were on a desert, the only living thing
marooned there. 1 took out the piece
of paper upon which the matron OF the
station had written the name of the
street 1 should watch for on the car
One was approaching. 1 had not seen
a man come up behind me. His voice
I startled me:
Can I help you find your way?" he
asked in a not unpleasant voice.
| mo thank you. 1 have directions
"You came in on the train from
| New York just now" He simply
stated the fact. I nodded, and for the
| first time looked at him. What saw
i dlu not teIlu " IhdhS me WISH " " -
| long the conversation. He was a tall
fairly well dressed man, with shifty
eyes, and a pasty complexion. / hao
made no reply, so he went on:
! II Judge you haven't any friends
saw you talking to the matron.
wouldn't think teo much OF the place
she sends you Those .matrons stand
in with the police and the people who
run the houses. I'll give you the adj
dress of really respectable boarding
house. You can look there. and if you
like it, take a ROOM" He scrubbed
! something on a card and thrust it into
my hand Just as my car came along
| ITO be continued.l