The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-19
FOUR DANCING FEET
GERTTE WRITES A LETTER.
BY JANE PHELPS



Gertie told her mother Len had
asked her to marry him.
What did you say. dearie, III con-
cealed anxiety in her voice as the
mother asked the question: Ilnes
were hard, food high, rents soaring.
Their landlord had just raised them.
the second time in year Even with
Gertie's larger salary it had again
become hard to make ENDS meet Len
had a good trade, was a hard worker
Il told him wasn't marrying any
body" Gertie returned. Il don't like
him, ma-not well enough to want to
be with him--and IL married him I'd
have to be with him all the time.
"All right, GeFtie, II you don't Ike
him." but a sigh followed the words
Mrs. Cummings ambitions for Gerie
were dwarfed by her necessities. And
Len was, after all, about as high as
Gertie could aspire.
Gertie heard the sigh and knew its
cause.
'I'Il work harder. ma. I know
things are awful high. perhaps Fagin
will give me q raise soon. III ask him
1"if Jennie-she's older than you
was when you commenced to work
and"
going to keep right on in school She's
going to have her chance to be some
body. Wen get along somehow.
When she gets thru she will earn a
lot. OuI II she Stops now she il never
be anybody. no more than ! am
You're a good girl. Gertie, and
smarter than lots that is educated"
"We1I get along, ma! Be sure you
don't say anything to Jennie about
stopping. She might think we wanted
her to and I should feel awful if she
wasn't a teacher. Tim helps a lot,
he sells so many papers and-Ill ask
Fagin soon"
Before she left for her evenings
ia Tom Norris
note. After tearing up several efforts
she wrote:
My Dear Mr.. Norris:
I never received your first letter
so. of course, L couldn't answer 1t.
I got the books all right. Thank
you very much. I am studying all
1 can. I guess I don't improve very
fast so please excuse any mis-
takes.
Ma was pleased because you re-
membered her, so were the chill
dren. Jennie is still studying to be
a teacher and Tim is selling papers.
1 don't dance at Rosenberg's any
more. l am at Fagins on Broad
way. I saw your friend there one
night but I didn't speak to him.
I never shall forget you as you
said you was afraid I would.
Your friend.
Gertie Cummings
She had hesitated a long time as to
how she should begin her letter: Tom
or Mr.. Norris. Finally she had decided
upon the latter. He might think her
fresh if she called him Tom, for all ne
had addressed her as Gertie.
She was not satisfied with her letter
but it was the best she could do.
''If he had written different, corld,''
she said as she slipped the envelope
into the mail box at the corner. May
be he will next time"
who you been .writin' tor" Lilly,
who had hurried to join her. and had
seen her slip the letter in the box.
asked.
'To Tom" All her life she had
kept nothing from Lilly
Still thinking of that bloke. Did
he write your
Yes
why didn't you tell me? 1 never
keep nothin' from you
1T was only a note about the books
and I'm just writing to thank him for
Sending them. It isn't polite not to
write when anybody sends you any
thing"
Amt thinkin' about him 1 suppose.
and that's the reason you threw Len?'
you needn't Use that talk with me.
Lilly. OF course don't ever expect
20 see him again. But that don't
"Oh. very well! But I'll bet any
hin that if you hadn't ever met him
you'd be willin' to marry Len-be his
girl anyway. That Tom give you such
high and mighty ideas you can't get
Town to earth, and know what's good
or you"
He give me only good ideas. Lilly.
can't talk about it, but knowing
linn made me want to be better.
to know things that nice.
educated people know even IL I am
Door. He didn't hurt me none-no
natter what you say
Tomorrow-Nothing risked, nothing
gained.)