The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-06
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN DECIDES SHE WILL BE
FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT.
By JANE PHELPS


FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT
Chapter Sc.
joan had completed her course in
journalism. Then one day she aston
ished her mother-if anything she
could do now did astonish Margaret
by declaring that she was going to
earn her living-that she would not
use one penny of the allowance. from
her fathers estate "a generous one,
by the way. and often supplemented
by checks from Margaret).
81 have had lots of time to think,
and MANY things to think about
Joan said when she had given her
mother time'to recover from her first
surprise why should 1 live without
working just because my father had
money? He worked to earn 1t. Then
1 want a chance for depression
more of a one than just doing as
like gives me. From now on ] stand
on my own feet and legs. 1t will take
them both to keep me going for
time, guess" She flung out one foot
and shapely leg, gazing at them crit
ically.
How do you know you can earn
anything?''
81 don't know-but I will"
you mean"
81 mean that 1 don't know exactly
where the money is coming from, but
it is coming from someone, somewhere.
That 1 do know. Someone will give
me chance"
Margaret never had known the want
of money. To her it seemed a terrible
thing for a young girl deliberately to
shut herself off from a comfortable in
come for the hazardous life OF a
Journalistic least until one had a.
footing of some sort. Really, it seemed
the most foolish move Joan ever had
made. She must talk her out of the
idea.
why give up using your income
until you have proved your ability to
earn?" she asked.
Then I never would prove it! I'm
the sort that must have something
pushing me to make me stick. l know
my own weakness just as well as L
know my own good points. 1 lack
concentration. I like to jump from
one thing to another. I read a little
of one book, then pick up anther and
quite forget the first one until later.
know that if ] realize-as some of
my friends do-that 1 shall go hungry
unless I turn in my copy regularly, I
will have it ready. Don't argue with
me, mother. My mind is made up. I
shall be independent financially as
well as in other ways. 1t is the only
way to know what is in me-to keep
my seff-1 aspect, my faith in my
ability"
What girl you are" Margaret
said so luGubriously that Joan laughed
merrily.
What a Mumsie you hre!" she re-
turned after a moment.
But you may have to wait until
something is accepted-if you are sue
cessful in your endeavor. Have you
any money on hand? You'll take next
months allowance"
Listen to her! Urging her daugh-
ter to take money, to use it! How
many mothers would do that, do you
suppose? I thought they always
preached economy You are a Won
proud that I am your daughter" Joan
made a knocking courtesy, then be-
came serious again.
81 haven't touched this months al
lowance yet. I shall make that do.
1 have already written the Trust COM
pany to send me nothing more until I
ask for it,
you have. Why didn't you wait
until you knew
you've heard of burning bridges
haven't you. Mumsie?" Joan inter
rupted. 81 am going to prove to my
own satisfaction that there is some
thing in me, that have brains to sell.
don't care a whoop what others
think, only those 1 may be able to help
by what I write. But I love to con
vince myself of things. And I am de-
termined to convince myself that 1 can
be self-supporting as well as the 9TH
ers" A wave of her hand included
the region about the Square. This
conversation had taken place in her
studio.
This, then. is the meaning of this
on?''
The table had been denuded of its
pretty nicknacks. A type-writing
desk, second hand, held her machine.
Boxes of paper, all sorts of parapher-
MALTA necessary to a writer, was in
evidence. The room bore the air of
an office rather than that of a studio.
Yes, partly. You see 1 shall have
to do the work myself until 1 get
started. And if had too many GIN
cracks around it would take too much
time from my writing. 7 told my
maid not to come any more. I can't
afford that luxury until know where
her pay is coming FROM.
What a girl" Margaret repeated,
almost unable to grasp the situation,
so fast had one outrageous surprise
followed upon the heels of another
(TomorroW-Marga confides in
Craig