The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-25
AStenographer's
Romance
STUDY AND HARD WORK.
BY JANE PHELPS


Both Cora and Gladys were capable
and efficient girls, earning a fair sal
airy. But like many, perhaps most,
working girls they helped at home
Cora her widowed mother, Gladys her
younger brothers and sisters. They
could spare little for Nellie, yet she
must be better dressed before she
looked for work.
Nellie was progressing rapidly. Cora
found it a real pleasure to teach her,
she was SO grateful, tried so hard to
learn. She insisted upon keeping their
room in order, and doing little things
for Cora as well. She washed her
waists, handkerchiefs, collar and
cuffs, other bits of lingerie, and ironed
them far better than the laundress
Cora had been able to afford. She
also did all the errands, buying what
few provisions they dared cook or eat
in their room.
When Cora begged her not to do sc
much she replied:
"a nice sort I'd be if didn't! Some
times it makes me most sick / can't
do more for you after all you've done
for me, picking me up out of the street
and maxim man of me-"
Making what?"
"a man of me! That's what I said.
wasn't anything but a poor slip of
a girl that nobody wanted-and look
! hands on hips, SO comica1 an express
sion on her face that Cora shrieked
with laughter.
'T don't see how ever lived with
out you, Nellie.'
''You lived all right, but I guess you
didn't laugh much here alr alone, and
one OF Miss Carriers boarders said:
Laughing. was good for folks
''She was right! 1t is. And didn't
laugh much until you came, Nellie.
guess I was getting to be pretty
moody"
Cora knew how to sew, and she
bought some material and made Mel
lie a dress, just simple little serge,
Inexpensive but suitable for an office.
With white collar and cuffs, a new
pair of shoes, Nellie would get along
thru the fall. Perhaps by the time
she needed it, she would be able tc
earn a hat and coat.
Now began the hunt for a position.
Day after day she answered advertise
ments, but her lack of experience and
references were, she told Cora, a slap
in the face everywhere she went. =
'Say, Cora, what makes men get
fresh with me? I know they don't
with you? They act as if they didn't
believe wanted work, some of them
them that don't tell me right off
that I have wasted their time because
I've had no experience.
Il guess they think you look too
young" Cora parted. q
Nix on the young! It's because
don't know anything, that's what it
is. They want good stenographers.
If they get hold of one who has fine
references. and has worked other
places they amt going to slice off
their own loses by getting fresh with
her. But when I say amt got. any
references, that am willing to work
cheap till they see what can do,
they just laugh-and either get fresh,
or tell me to get out"
"Why don't you try something
else2" Gladys, who was with them.
asked.
mo. stree! I set out to be a stenog.
and I'll be one! That is if 1 don't
get so old I have rheumatism in my
wrists before find a job"
iii speak to a woman know who
runs an employment bureau for girls.
She used to have the rule she wouldn't
help any girl who hadn't good refer
ences, and some experience. But it
won't do any harm to ask her"
you bet it won't! oh, Gladys per-
.haps she will help me. I heard a
travelling man at Miss Carriers say
once:
T" what amt worth asking for amt
worth having"
"You heard a lot at Miss Carriers,
didn't you?" Cora broke in.
"a sight more'n they thought I did.
Mostly it wasn't any good for me to
h ear-nor for any young girl But it
warned me a lot, just like told you,
Cora. I've been studying with you
now for three months. know I could
do the work if I could get it, Gladys.
You won't forget to ask that woman
! will you ?''
mo, dear, I'll see her at lunch time
tomorrow
FGoody! Perhaps she'll give me
something because she likes you
mot a very business-like reason,
Nellie"
! (Tomorrow-NeIlie rebukes a subway
80 \