Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-08-03
Uncle James
Advice
By JANE OSBORN


Jim Douglas had been named for his
maternal uncle, James Wallach, More
over, 1t Glanced that he had the same
deep-set blue eyes and the straight
strong line across the eyebrows that
some one had once told Jim's mother
indicated perseverance and ability to
succeed. Therefore it was decided
long before Jim was out of the nursery
that whatever else other members Of
the family did, he would have to fol-
low In his unele's footsteps and mdk
money.
Somehow Jim Douglas accepted this
decision without demur and when
other members of his class in college
were planning preparation for profess
slons of one sort or another, Jim an
nounced his determination to start out
at once in business.
The day after his graduation he
went to see his Uncle James Wallach.
Get a job for yourself" the uncle
told him. I'D only be hindering you
In the long run If made place here.
Keep your mind on the important con-
siderations-not on unlmportant de-
tail. Let some other fellow do that.
Get to the top of whatever business
you decide to enter. Then when you
are ready to start in for yourself come
back to me and I'll lend you the cap
ital-not because I am your uncle, but
because when you get ready to go into
business you'll be In a position to
make money for yourself and me-"
Jim thanked his uncle for his good
advice. He had expected at least that
Ne would ask him to luncheonr-take
him In as junior partner in his own
well-established business. At the thresh-
old Of the office James Wallach called
the nephew back.
"Say, here's another bit Of advice"
he said. "No matter how little you get
to start on, support yourself. Don't
live at home, and don't let them lend
you a sou, and save third Of what
you make"
But If l have to start on, say, $50
week." protested Nephew jim. "sofne
get that for stSrt-"
"Save five dollars" commanded the
uncle. you can do II. Black your
own boots, press your own pants don't
smoke. Limit yourself to thirty cents
a day for luncheon. My limit was IF
teen when started"
AS 1t happened James Douglas had
just thirty-five cents In his pocket at
that time, so 1t seemed rather impera-
tive for him to begin the thirty-cert
luncheon regime at once. Five. cents
would be necessary for car fare. There
must be no tip-that meant cafeteria
of some sort. fnconsderate now,
wasn't it, of Uncle Jim not to ask his
nephew to luncheon when he might
have known that recent commence
ment activities had left him high and
dry as far as cash was concerned?
With the help of a classified tele
phone directory at a corner drug store
Jim located a nearby cafeteria, 0per-
ated, as he learned from a sign over
the door, by a group Of college girls
who worked on a cooperative basis
1t was quite apparent from the crowds
assembled that these young women
were making very large profits.
1t was that day that Jim Douglas
first looked into the eyes Of Kate
Hudson, neatly capped and aproned
standing behind the steam table, SCOOP
ing out Spanish rice" from fiat
baking dish with large iron spoon.
Jim had studied the menu posted on
the wall with some care and had de
termined on Spanish rice" for the
simple reason that "15c" was written
down beside It. He could get a piece
of yesterdays pie for ten and n cup of
coffee for five more.
Jim noticed Kate because she looked
pretty standing there with flushed
cheeks, wearing the acknowledging cap
that left you wondering whether red
hair or chestnut hair or golden hair
went with those deep gray eyes and
that fair, transparent skin. Then he
seemed fascinated by the way the girl
welded the spoon. She seemed so ex-
pert about tia back and forth mo
tiOn In the baking pan that gave you
the impression that she was being
very generous, then over to the plate
and down with the rice, with q little
spreading motion Of the spoon that
might easily have deceived you into
thinking that your plate was very full
If you did not realize how thlnly II
was spread out.
It was very good. Jim was sure of
that, but he decided that IL he landed
job in that nelghbOrhood and went
to this cafeteria for luncheon-as he
was quite sure he would-he'd try
something besides rice. II left one with
a very hungry feeling by mdafternoon.
Jim did land a Job that afternoon;
It was imperative that he should II
he was to follow out his uncles in
structions not to borrow and to sup
port himself. He met a couple Of
classmates who were starting bust
nessmen's shopping bureau. Their
plan was to buy everything from a
yacht to wastebasket for busy bust
ness men. .Jim's two friends had sunk
what little capital they had in the
project but were willing to take on
jim at $12 q week to start with. His
Job was to canvass business houses by
way Of advertising. "Three dollars
saved-nine dollars TO live on said
Jim. "Yes, I'll take you up. And when
we're sure Of our start l may have
financial hacker for you"
For SO Jim managed to get a room
and IS had to be spent for board.
"Slt down here, please" she said.