Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-17


the year after she graduated
from high school. There had
i been a long illness, which had
eaten up their balance and she
found that college was out of the
question, also that she must go to
work.
poor Pollyw her friends said.
"Just as though 1 were a green
coated, red-headed parrotp' said Polly.
TN take business course and
get a position. 1t ought not TO be
harder than it was to major in Latin
and hold the basket ball champion.
ship at the same time"
She said this, with an assurance
she did not feel, to Ellen Smith, five
years older, secretary to the presi-
dent of the Airline Bank.
Poor Polly.' she commiserated.
- well, you have good position"
began Polly.
Eyes, but it took me years to land
and l had a pull, too. and always
knew / was to earn my living. You
are young, and have been sheltered.
IT will be hard"
It was hard for Polly to get up in
the gray of the morning, before any
heat was coming through the register
in her north room, breast search
ing north wind for an unsatisfying
breakfast, and hurry to classrooms,
which were likely to be unaired and
sketchilly busted.
She found it hard. even after she
had earned her diploma. "Jobs" there
were, but she wanted a position, "
and inexperienced girls could not often
get them. She had some unpleasant
experiences with possible employers
who proved impossible, capricious or
nagging.
''I'd give up if I didn't have Grand
father Stafford's chin" she told her
image in the dingy mirror.
Finally, at a salary which Mortified
Ellen. she found place in the Ma
tional Manufacturing Co., a firm
which handled novelties.
why, you can never live on that"
demonstrated Ellen.
II lived on less while I went to the
business college" remarked Polly
~laconically.
Polly! Why didn't you tell me?"
81 started ON my own and must
keep on. Furthermore, while I am
- the newest OF % girls in one bis
room, 1 shan't stay there. 1 have a
system for working up"
But you choose the wrong place
Polly. The Office of Henry B. Sea
body is the best position there and he
is a killer No secretary lasts there
more than a year before a nervous
breakdown. If you have your eye
on that place you are choosing a slow
and painful suicide"
mo. Ellen. 1 am simply working
out a theory"
you and your theories" shifted
Ellen. You can't eat or wear a
theory"
Give me time and I will be eating
and wearing the results Of it," smiled
Paula-again with a confidence she
did not feel.
She started with herself She had
been the only girl in the high schoo
whose hair had not known shears, and
she began by coiling it in smooth
dark braids about her head with
never scolding lock to tag at mech
or ears. No cosmetics except a brush
of brunette powder, no perfume
beads. ring or other jewelry. Blacl
or dark-blue Office gowns. simpl!
made. While putting herself through
this discipline she was one Of two
dozen girls. Rattle and clatter, rustl,
and whisper. chewing gum and powde
puffs, high heels and low necks. Paul;
adhered to her theory, training he
voice to its lowest, clearest notes
Six months and she had moved hal
way through the department. had
desk by a window and handled III
"follow-ups"--all Of the girls she ha
passed being under her direction.
year and she was at the top of tn
department, assistant to Miss Sebret
the manager.
"Wel, have you proven your the
ory?" asked Ellen, with more of re
spect in her manner than a year bt
fore.
"Only part Of 1t as yet" laughe
Paula, Enough TO show me that