The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-13
THE NEW
GENERATION
BIZ JANE PHELPS
JOAN RECEIVES A LESSON.
BIZ JANE PHELPS

JOAN RECEIVES A LESSON.
CHAPTER IA.
Joan was remarkably Flush" as
she expressed it, for the rest of the
week, joyously relating to her mother
and Hannah how she had skinned"
the boys and girls.
"Hortense's mother won't give her
another cent, so I gave back some /
won from her. don't believe I could
live with such a mother. think Hor-
t--lse is mighty patient"
MRS. Thompson is quite old-fash-
Toned, dear. But she is a very nice
woman, and I imagine HoFtense loves
her quite as well as you love me-"
"Oh, but she couldn't, Mumsie! You
are so different"
Margaret had spent much thought
upon how best to make Joan feel she
must not gamble-but in vain. Moth
| ing occurred to her as deterrent that
was not too obvious. And the obvious
was not to be used with effect where
Joan was concerned.
eff 1 seem different 1t is perhaps
because you look at me thru Joan
Hayden's eyes, instead Of Hortense
lThomnson's. Come, dear, let US take
walk, have some errands to do"
When they left the house Margaret
would happen to help her solve this
new problem. But as they emerged
from a fruit store two or three ragged
| little colored boys were shooting craps
on the sidewalk, their actions punctu-
ated with words more emphatic than
polite.
Margaret stopped, and Joan clinging
to her arm was also halted.
"My little girl shoots crap, too"
Margaret said on the spur of the
moment.
"Ah, go way! No girl like her
shoots craps!" the larger Of the boys
returned. She's a little lady, my ma
tor me so-and little ladies don't
shoot craps, not on your Hfe!"
who is your mother?" Margaret
asked. pretending not to see the flush
on Joar1's face, a shamefaced flush.
"She washes, her name is Carter
We live down on the flats.
"Thank you. I may need some one
TO wash for me soon" Margaret re-
piled, then hurried away.
Neither she nor Jean mentioned the
incident
Once more the boys and girls were
assembled on the porch. Again 1t was
Saturday. The chatter grew louder
and Margaret stole to the window
opening on the porch. Joan was
Il never was so ashamed in my
life Here's your money Gloria ana
mere IS yours, MdlCQ1tli' "Au -,
Lennie. I gave Hortense hers the
other day. But to hear those dirty
little darkies tell mother that no one
like me shot craps, that their mother,
who is a washer-woman. SAID vas
a little lady and no little ladies ever
shot craps, made me SO ashamed,
'I'lI bet your mother made fuss,
Hortense said. mine would have had
fits, and made me promise never TO
my mother didn't say word.
She didn't have to: I guess l know
mother butting in. I guess 1 knew
ali the time, but when that ragged
little darky said no girl like me shot
craps I remembered. That's all, but
1 never shall play again. You can
play tho. right here too all you want
to-"
mo. we don't want to p1ay!" Lon
ME CARPENTER answered stuffing the
dimes and niekels which had fallen
to him deep down in his pocket 7
asked dad for a quarter yesterday. ana
when he asked what I had done with
my allowance, and had to tell him I
had been shooting craps, he wouldn't
give 1t to me, and said shouldn't have
a penny next month. tell you am
mighty glad to get this" He ratified
the coin. The others said nothing, but
all seemed pleased over something.
Just at this juncture Margaret ap-
peared and proposed they all play
ping-pong, rigging UP the game on the
porch table. Then. after she had
them started, she and Hannah fol-
lowed their usual formula for keep
ing the boys and girls out of mischief
they fed them. After they left, Joan
said:
Say, Mumsie, did you hear what
that little colored boy said 2"
Part of it, dear. About his mother
being a washerwoman?
mo, he said his ma told him was
a little lady. I wonder how she knew
me, andS oh, WE'LL OF course I am a
lady, and guess it shows"
TT always shows, dear. No one can
take it away from you. And, dear,
don't ever let anyone have reason to
think they can"
you bet I won't. Mumsie! Not for
long anyway"
Margaret smiled recalling the pre-
vious Saturday.
(Tomorrew-Joan is displeased with
her mother.)