The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-27
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE TELLS OF SECURING A
POSITION.
Chapter TO.

Chapter ~.
well, you see it was like this
Nellie commenced, sitting cross
legged on the floor. IT had run my
legs pretty nearly off answering ads,
when thought I'd try one more place.
1t was late and I was afraid no one
would be there, but I was so tired
was sort of desperate. There wasn't
anyone there but an old grandpa, and
he was the boss. When I told him
what wanted, he looked at me as if
he thought I was kidding him.
mo wonder. If he could see the
way you act he'd be sure of it,
Gladys broke in.
'If you don't keep still, Miss Doran,
shan't tell you anything more
"Ail right, Miss Riley. I'll not say
another word" this laughingly.
"OId whiskers-he's got 'em, long
ones too. and gray-asked me where
I'd worked, and I told him nowhere
except in Miss Carriers boarding
house at the Corners. That seemed
to tickle him, he laughed like every
thing. Then he asked: What makes
you think you can be an office girl p
I said: I don't think nothing about
it, know am going to be one He
laughed again, but I went right on
telling him how I had studied, how
Cora had helped me learn shorthand,
and how to spell. Gee, Cora! I was
most afraid he'd tell me to send you.
But he didn't, kept asking me ques-
lions, and finally how much I wanted.
I guess I was a fool, but I told him I
didn't care what he give me until he
knew what 1 could do. Then the old
grandpa offered me IS a week. It's
an awful little bit now, and he seemed
to see I thought so because he said:
Girls have been getting big wages
the last few years: but unless one is
competent they're not worth what
they get and 1 won't pay an incom-
petent girl more than that"
IT told him I'd come and he could
competent I was" Then he laughed
some more not out loud, but sort
of a chuckle that shook his whole
body, and told me to come Monday
morning. I'm glad to get sobered
down by Monday. It's been long
way to Tipperary but I've got there at
last"
Cora and Gladys rejoiced with her,
Cora being especially glad she was to
be with an elderly man. They Ques-
toned her:
How much help has he in the Of
fice?" Cora asked.
mo one but himself, the book
keeper and me-
Whats his business %
Something about leather; but I
didn't see shoes or anything laying
around"
Just his city office probably" the
more experienced Gladys said. He
probably has q factory somewhere"
-hoorayi" Nellie sprang up and COM
menced to prepare the dinner.
IT tell you girls we must celebrate, -
Cora declared. Wen go to the
movies. I'll treat!"
Even going to the movies was an
epoch in their lives-unless someone
invited them, which seldom happened.
Girls who care for themselves, and in
addition send money home, have little
to spend for amusement.
It'll be my turn to treat after I pay
back all owe Nellie said as she hur-
ried with the dinner, ordering Gladys
to set the table, a wobbly affair
that had to be braced or it would fall
down.
what you owe!" Cora said. SCI
didn't know you were in debt, Nellie"
"Oh, you didn't! Sorry you have to
be disappointed. Miss Baker. but owe
you for a dress and shoes, Gladys for
stockings and other things, and Miss
Carter's attic the suit case. After I
pay them debts Ill blow"
You don't owe me a single cent?"
Cora declared. Even if you did you
have more than paid me for anything
1 have done. You've kept the room
cleaner than it ever was before; you've
done most of my washing, all the err
rands. I owe you I guess if the truth
was told"
Those things I did for you don't
take money. I amt saying how much
owe you for learning me all the
things you have. nor how much will
owe you when 1 learn to talk Cora
was trying to teach Nellie to speak
more correctly.
And if you dare say anything about
owing me anything, I'll spank you"
Gladys broke in. "A good spanking
might be a good thing for you any
way" She looked lovingly at the
bright face bent over the dish of stew
Nellie was dishing up. Stew without
onions, because Mrs. Thompson would
object to the odor. but which Nellie
declared was no stew at all.
(Tomorrow-An hilarious evening)
Protected by George Matthew Adams.