The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-31
A Stenographer's
/ Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE FINDS HER WORK EASY.
CHAPTER 13.

- SA4NL 4AA64 ~
NELLIE FINDS HER WORK EASY.
CHAPTER 10.
ITS just too. good to be true Nell
lie told Cora Baker that night.
There's a Niger in the woodpi1e
somewhere, Pm sure. 1t isn't my
luck to fall into a tub of soothing
syrup. Needn't stay after he goes
and he going at a little after fourI
No need to worry about me getting
sick. Coral shan't die of over
work.
BE careful you Asn't get lazy"
Cora answered. Il Am so glad for
you, Nellie. You must DO your very
best so that if anything happens he
will give you a good reference; and if
there doesn't, SO he will pay you
more. You will have to have, clothes
soon, and if you try 1 am sure you
will soon get raise"
What time do you have to start
working" Gladys asked.
"Oh, grandpa gets there between
"Goodnessi" the lazy Gladys ak
claimed. Trade jobs with me, Mel
lie! . You don't mind getting UP, and
oh. it is so hard for met
Little Nellie sticks to grandpa,T
Nellie answered, but I'm going to
hunt that woodpile. Maybe I'll find
a reason why She place is so easy;
maybe he doesn't pay regular or
something"
"Nonsensei" Gladys returned ''He'
probably has some little business that
doesn't require long hours. Just be
thankful for getting the job and don't
go shopping around"
I'm listening" Nellie said her head
cooked comically on one side.
She was very gay, very happy. No
longer would she be a drag on Cora;
no longer would she have to help Mrs.
Thompson with the housework-work
she detested, but which she had, been
obliged to do. Mrs. Thompson grum-
bled. wished Nellie hadn't got q job.
I'll pay you most as much beside
room and board if you'll give me all
your time" she said. ar
Nellie thanked her, but refused. To
the girls she said: = -----
Give her all my time'- Don't i
know what that means! All. day and
half the night Mrs. ThompSOn's,
right, but no boarding house for nae!
I worked too long for Miss Carter She
must think I am a fool to give, up my
easy job, my short hours in an office
to work in her kitchen. I'd rather be
dead, honest 1 would. 1 did it for
little while because Cora would teach
me. But never again!"
You are SO neat, Nellie, and so
quick. No wonder Mrs. Thompson
wants you. 1t is awful hard, I guess,
to get good servants in a house like
this. Everything is so old and dingy."
Gladys had hit upon the truth. 1t
was nearly impossible for Mrs.
Thompson to keep a servant and Nell
lies neatness, her good nature had
been godsend. When she talked
with Cora about II, she was in tears.
Il knew it wouldn't last, but kept
hoping it would" she whined.
But Nellie isn't a servant Mrs.
Thompson, she is a business girl. She
only did it for you temporarily because
while doing it she could go on with
her studies while I could help her.
She has a very nice position, and while
the pay is small, she has a chance to
advance. also to learn more of the
ways of a business office
"Oh, weIli L suppose I'll get along
somehow" Mrs. Thompson replied as
she left the room But I wish
might have kept her"
Acting upon Cora's advice. Nellie
was at the office promptly at nine
each morning. But it happened more
often than not that Mr.. Robinson did
not appear until ten or after Nellie
had thoroly overhauled the typewriter,
and while she waited for him she
either practiced to increase her speed,
or studied spelling. She was always
upon her.
Anything the matter with me?" she
pertly asked him one morning.
mo, not that I know off,
Then stop staring at me! 1t makes
me nervous"
1T didn't mean to stare" Smith re-
turned in his dull way.
Don't then!"
He looks as if he wanted to tell me
something. and dasn't, or was getting
UP his courage. He's queer old
thing, not so awful old either. He just
! acts as if somebody had set on him
and squeezed all the life out of him, !"
she told Cora when questioned about
the office.
"Perhaps he's had a hard time"
| Cora answered slowly. Men do some
! times. We girls are apt to think we're
the only ones who have things hard,
but a man who doesn't get ahead
much often has it even harder guess,
| especially if he has family"
| Hes a poor fish, He doesn't dare
| say his souls his own when the boss
/ is there. Oh, well! I don't have any
thing to. do with him, so I should
worry"
| \