The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-12
EUening Story
The ParIOr Car.

had moved three stations down the
line Joseph began to get more work
and Mrs. Simpson was able to use her
energies for her family instead of
helping out the earnings of her hus-
band by doing two washings a week
at home. The same energy that had
impelled her to slave over the wash
tubs was now diverted into other
ichannels and she constantly urged
Susan, her .19-year-old daughter, to try
young lady.
/ IF you'd just hold your head up,
Susan, and study hard there's no tell
ling where you might land" she prod
Ided, stitching away at toe-elaborate
white frock for the girl.
But, ma, we're just ordinary vii
1age folk. Everybody knows to cent
what we have, SO why bother? 1 don
want to land anywhere except, here
a delicate pink crept up into her
tfreckled cheeks, that were satiny
white where the golden dust of the
freekles had not come, ''in Charles
cottage. 1 used to wonder who would
want to marry me, and of all the Eel
lows 1 never thought of him. He's SO
Istrong and tall. Don't you think he
is the best looking man in Emington,
ma ?''
Her mother glanced down the brown
ribbon of road that led toward the
quaint village. The small house with
Iambitious rise of ground that nearly
achieved the distinction of being a hill.
She could see the roofs of the village
land the curling wreaths of gray smoke
that swept heavily along the hot
clouds above the singletraek railroad.
81 often think, Susan" said ma
dreamily, what the railroad might
bring. Most any one might come IN
on the noon train-yes, she said IN
answer to her daughters questioning
IrrTa Y1ia fG
you might marry better than a black
Esmith You are fresh and pretty
The dawning pink became mortl-
fled scarlet. Ma, how you tax; as
ICharlie and I'm proud to think that
lIII live in the darling brown cottage
THAT is nearly finished"
Mas tired, ambitious head wagged
sagely over her sewing. Susan should
The pushed forward in spite of her silly
/ scrl1pIes. Ma had insisted upon Susan
taking a few singing lessons and the
i girl was to sing a solo at Cleaner
hall at Emington. When the time
i came for the entertainment ma went
| about with a mysterious, secFetiYe
smile on her pursed-up lips. She had
| finished the fuSSedup white lace
frock with its intricate trimmings of
tiny ruffles and she had even sent
/ away (thru a mail-order catalog) and
bought a pair of white satin Shippers
/ Susan remembered to walk very care
fully.
/ fastened the last hook and ribbon ana
turned the embarrassed Susan around
/ for the family gaze, that no one who
Hooks at her today will remember that
] I used to take in two big washings a
week to Keep us going. With Susan's
i voice and looks there's no telling how
II far she'll CO."
i "Ain't she goin' to Emington to sing
Il tonight?'' queried Freddy excitedly.
i stupid we're all agoin'," yelled
Lucy, holding out a tightly braided
| head. Ma, iron my plaits now SO
they'll be good and fuzzy. Shall [
/ have a white dress like Susan's after
she's married to Charlie %
i you never can tell who might
come in on the train" unused ma,
twitching at Susan's sash. BE sure
you sing just as loud as you can and
don't let that SpriggS girl think she
can sing better'n you just because
she's taken six months. You've got
natural soprano"
Susan, nervous and uneasy. nodded
nuteIy. If her throat felt the same
when the program opened she knew
that she would be unable to sing sin
gle note, but she remained silent.
'.I1ow," said ma grandly as she
emerged from the ticket office with
the tickets, 1--WE done something big
for Susan. Here's the Banner coming
row, down the track. You children
and pa stand ready to hop on, and be
sure and turn back some seats, SOS
we can all ride facing each ether.
You, Susan, are going to ride in the
parlor car. Here's the ticket for your
; ride. Mr.. Meadows sure stared when
I asked him to reserve a chair in the
; parlor car for today. I've read that
. only the best people travel that way,
) and there's no telling who her
Il eager voice was drowned in the APP
preaching roar of the Banner train
from st. Louis, and before the dazed
Susan could ask how much the reser-
| walton cost she had been helped up
81 the steps by the colored porter and
| the train flashed off.
Susan kept her eyes fixed on the
flying landscape for few miles, then
timidly raised her eyes. Her fellow
passengers paid scant attention to the
little, freckled face country girl in her
) unsuitable frock of lace and floppy
, hat She vaguely sensed the differ
, | ence in clothing and tried to keep her
white satin shod feet under the foot
= rest. She was glad when her station
was called and she tottered to the yes
2 thule to descend. At the farther end
: of the train she saw Charlie gayly
: helping down ma and the numerous
; members of mas family.
''Why, where's Susan % she heard
' him exelaim as pa gingerly stepped
down from the high step of the day
coach and counted heads.
Susan" mas voice was replete with
+ pride, came in the parlor car You
t know, she's agoin' to sing at the hall
? tonight"
e Charles face clouded. He went
slowly toward the small whitehead
: figure tottering along anxiously toward
him. Susan, I feel ashamed of you, 1"
: he said sternly. Why should you
: ride ina chair car and your ma go
in the day coach? If you've got such
e notions as that 1 don't think you're
cut out for a working mans wife.
. Is duke coming to take you to the
: hall or do you want me to help you
e along in those satin shoes? ~
Susan's eyes misted suddenly. but
E she was too shy to reply. Pa, who ha d
followed. interviewed.