The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-05
EUening Story
The Efficiency Girl.
BY 1. WRIGHT.


where the ad takers stood all day
checking up the number of spaces,
the number of words and costs of in
sertions in the classified advertising
pages of the Chicago Mirror" Mary
Connoy alone was unimpressed by
from the astounding rumors floating
about, was evidently to come into the
classified advertising offices, look
about with the sharp eye of a keen
detective, suggest very radical changes
here and there as to lighting, position
of desks and the cashiers cage and
worst of aIl-fire instantly those
clerks who were in any way ineffi-
Gent.
1.-THE top of the mornin' to you,
Susie McGinnis," she said gayly. TAX
ing out her fountain pen. ''And why
ali of this merry cleaning and rush
ing about? The efficiency man-if
he's any efficiency mani at 'all-will
see thru your little foibles."
81 wish you'd call me Susanna"
pettishiy exclaimed Susie McGinnis.
"And I think you don't realize the i'm
portance OF this man. The boss up
stairs has seen him work before and
he's told him that he can have any
one in the whole place he wants to
assist him. Wouldn't that be the
cats pajamas? The efficiency girl!
A shabbily gowned old lady had
come up to the desk and was waiting
in front of Mary Connolly. did you
have an advertisement to place p"
asked Mary pleasantly.
Yes, did" answered the old lady
tartly. You didn't think I was
standing here merely TO hear that
bobbed-headed young miss there use
new slang, did you?" Her black eyes
snapped angriIy.
II beg your pardon murmured
Mary. perhaps can write your ad-
vertisement for you?" She was look
ing at the empty hands of the adver-
tiser.
IT'S not much to write. Just say:
Wanted: a room.' "
Mary stared at her. Odd were
many of the advertisements placed
with her each day. Brief were some
of them. But this one! No one
would know from the advertisement
in what part of the city it was de-
sired, what type of room-good ac-
comma dations with their commen-
surate cost or less convenient ones
that would be reasonable hundred
ideas flashed thru Mary Connolly's
mind. She herself, seeing the little
old lady with her shabby black out
fit. guessed that an inexpensive room
was desired. Yet she could not be
sure.
suppose we put in just a little
more" she ventured gently. you
see it doesn't tell much-just wanted
a roomP"
Doesn't tell much! Doesn't tell
mucE!" snapped the sold lady. Tell
you? I'll have my son come down here
at once-Pll tell him the whole thing
that l will! Ian idiot, indeed"
Angrily she shook her head at the
pewildered Mary, whose face was red
Butt" gasped Mary, wonder
ing how affairs could have taken
such a turn that she should be ae-
cased of calling a gentle-looking old
lady in rusty. black an idiot. ..-s,-
a man standing near came forward
and Mary was not surprised at all, so
excited was she, to hear the old lady
call him John and tell him that the
young lady had called her a fool.
7 again gasped Mary. I'VE
have orders to assist in the adver-
tisements. whenever it is possible.
You see" she explained earnestly,
we don't accept less than two lines,
and so 1 wasn't trying to get her to
pay any more money out. It was just
that If she said where she wanted the
room and what price she wanted to
pay or what kind of room she wanted
whether for rooming, boarding or
light housekeeping, why, you see, she
would have more replies. I was think
ing or the answers she would have-I
= Mary Connolly's blue eyes
filled. Noise of any sort was unde-
slrable In the classified advertising Of
missal would follow such a scene as
this. Above that, however, was the
IDEA that she had wounded the gentle
old lady in her faded suit.
she heard across the polished
counter the tall man called John ex-
planning the whole thing in low tones.
Several tears rolled down Mary's
cheeks and she was aware of the in
terested eyes of the other adtakers.
In a few minutes the little black bon
n nj hn oil 10 d.
Il had a bad night in that hotel
didn't sleep a wink" the old lady told
her. You write it up. Make it as
long as you want, and make it right.
l guess" the old eyes twinkled, we'll
let John pay for it anyhow. And
John, if this young lady would help
I'd get some clothes If she'd
help me choose them. I guess she
wouldn't be afraid to tell me If any
thing was too young or too gay or
anything" She was smiling at Mary
now. happy as a child, the recent
wound forgotten.
The boss upstairs told me I could
have any one I wanted to help me.
1 think I'll have to take Miss Mary
for my efficiency girl If she's satis-
fled. Barton spoke of her right away
and told me where I'd find her."
The surprised ad-takers saw their
Mary Connolly, now the efficiency
girl, pass out the little swing-gate
and go for her coat and hat. Bar
ton, the boss, was surprised, too. when
he passed along that way to be but
tonholed by the new efficiency man.
who said seriously: Say, Barton, old
man. want to tell you that you'd
better look about for a new ad-taker.
I've always said I'd never marry a
girl mother didn't like and sa-a-ay-
the way she took to the little Mary
Connolly-well, it took my breath. I
don't know what she thought of me,
but what's the use of being an eff
ficiency man if 1 can't marry the girl
I choose7"
copyright, 1922, by Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)