The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-05
four DANCING FEET
JENNIE TUTORS A BACKWARD
CHILD.
BY JANE PHELPS

JENNIE TUTORS A BACKWARD
CHILD.
Chapter So.
When Gertie told her mother of her
conversation with Fagin, of what a
hard time she had to make him stop
talking long enough so she could ex-
plain she wasn't leaving him to go to
another cafe, they both laughed heart
lily. But when Gertie repeated his
promise that place at the Olympic
was ready for her IL she shouldn't be
happy, Mrs. Cummings said soberly:
He meant it good, Gertie. Lots of
folks get married and amt happy. But
1 has always thought most of 'em
could have been happier than they was
if they hadn't tried so hard not to be
so. II we just go ahead and do the
best We can, be kind and good, try to
think of others instead of ourselves.
and forget about tryin' to be happy,
guess most of us would be real happy.
Fagln sees lot of people perhaps
what don't git on because all they
thinks of is themselves, havin' pleas
ure-~ But he meant it kindly, and oh,
well, dearie, one never can tell what'll
happen in this world. Little did
think when you was born, with your
Pa havin' a good trade, and US happy
as the day was long that he'd be taken
away, God rist his soul. and me be left
alone with three besides myself to
look out for"
Gertie and her mother had long
quiet talks as they stitched away upon
the underw ear they were making.
Jennie had found a position for the
summer to teach a backward child
three hours a day. She had been de-
lighted to get the work. declaring:
Now I can buy Gertie wedding
present with my own money!"
You can buy yourself some new
clothes for the fall term" Gertie had
replied, pleased that her sister thought
of her. yet anxious she should remain
in school.
'"There'H be enough for both,< They
pay me $50 a month, and 1 only have
to be there from 9 to IL. Teacher
got the place for me. Say.-Gert. she
has been awful nice to all of us, telling
thing. Perhaps if you had signed you
couldn't get married! Let's ask her
to your wedding, can we, Ma ?"
ITS just as Gertie says. She says
she don't want no wedding, just us, the
family What do you say, Gertie?
Shall we ask the teacher"
Yes, I think we might ask her. But
we can't ask anybody else. If we do
we will have to ask everybody we
know, and they'll expect-a feed, and
Ma can't afford it,
We'll just have a bite before you
leave, Gertief 1T wouldn't seem right
lif we didn't" Mrs. Cummings was
hospitable SOUL and Gertie had had
unnecessary to invite all the neigh
bors, and give them a hearty meal.
"AH right, Ma, but very plain, moth
ing that is expensive, or that. ha&kes
you work hard on that day. I don't
want to go way feeling you are all
tired out doing for me-
NO dangerl So you ask the teach
er, Jennie"
Lilly O'Connor dropped in OCCASION
ally to see how Gertie was getting
along with her trousseau, and to, give
unsolicited advice as to what was
stylish. and the materials being worn.
She was always overdressed in a cheap
glaring way. and she looked tired, al
most dissipated.
"How's things with you, Lilly?"
Mrs. Cummings asked.
"Oh, not so goodI Lens got a
crouch most of the time. If I'd
known he was going to act UP every
time I wanted to go anywhere
wouldn't have married him. on bet.
What's the use of Twin if you can't
have a good time? He seems to think
I ought to be satisfied to stay home
and keep house, sweep and clean and
cook for him, and go with him to the
movies once or twice a week. But l
ain'ti And he understands it now.
amt the stay home kind. If he don't
like the way I do things let him git
someone else to do them. I shan't
kick"
in her quiet way.
Say, Gertie." Lilly paid no slightest
attention to Mrs. Cummings. You
better be sure you're going to get on
with your Tom before you marry him.
Living in the country with dogs and
chickens for company won't be no
cinch. And honest. Gertie, 1t amt no
fun bein' married unless you can do
like you want to. and have things.
Take it from me, it's the TRUTH"
I'm rot afraid to risk it, Lilly. I
love the country, and dogs and chick
ems, too. I know I shall be happy. I
am so sorry you aren't contented with
Len as you thought you would be-
"Oh. I guess Lens all right! It's
the being tied down I hate!" Lilly
said with an air of bravado, land what
won't put up with from no man."
(Tomorrow-Mrs. Cummings advises
Gertie.)