Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-01-27
The Job That Came
to Helen
fcopyriKht.,
By JANE OSBORN


UnETER, you don't understand"
Z said Helen for the tenth time
that evening. 1t was midsummer then
and they were walking together along
the oceans edge.
"Cut that out about my not under
standing" said Peter, not without
some A,courtesy. II understand what
you think you mean-you mean that
you think just because you have spent
four years In college and have come
off with degree you are too well edu-
Gated to be my wife. Rot and rub
bish! What also understand is that
love you very much, in spite Of your
foolish notions, and that you are, not
the sort of girl, Helen De Voc, who is
going to be content with just career.
If that's what you call It."
"I'll always 60 on caring great
deal for you, Peter" she said and
there was q little culver in her voice.
"Only now that I've got my degree I
really think I ought to use it. can't
give up my ideals-even for you,
Peter"
Helen wanted to succeed In some
sort of business. So one fine day she
went to the city carrying with her
some nice little letters of introduc-
ton to officers of several banks and
bond concerns which she had begged
from the president of her home bank.
As for the bank of1icers-they didn't
even take the trouble to see her. Helen
was told that she would have to send
In a request by mail for an appoint
ment If she wished to see them. So
she tried her luck with the bond deal
ers and brokers. She was utterly un-
prepared for the cool reception she re-
ceived.
Then one day she managed to see
Mr.. Kelly, vice president or something
Of one Of the business Offices to which
she had contrived to get letter Of
Introduction.
~ don't want anyone around here
to help run this business" he growled
after she had hopefully recounted her
qualifications. "Our pay roll is too
long as 1t is. Nobody's really inter
ested. They just do their own little
jobs and draw their salaries and hurry
home at half7past four. Do you think
any of the girls around here would
take it upon themselves to see that my
private office was kept cleaned? Not
much. All they'd have to do would
be to keep after the cleaning woman
stay after hours once in a while to see
that she did the work. But, no, they
wouldn't think of such thing"
''Pm sorry" said Helen, and after
Mr.. Kelly had further unburdened him
self and somehow apologized to Helen
for troubling her with what didn't in
terest her, she took her departure.
but am interested-and perhaps
what you have said will give me an
idea," she said. zone or two of the
other men I've talked to seemed to
have trouble of somewhat the same
sort"
But when Helen reached her home
that weekend she was thoroughly dis
couraged. True, she had little plan
in the back of her mind, but when she
came to consider 1t, it didn't seem so
very good after all. Late that Satur-
day afternoon she telephoned to Peter.
''Tm sorry said what did to YOU"
she said. maybe 1t is cowardly, but
I'm going to ask you to give me an
other chance. You see, l don't believe
that there ever would be a chance
for ME in the big business world. Why,
the only possible chance l saw was to
turn to and keep Offices clean. Hon
estly l actually worked out sort of
scheme of hiring some cleaning women
and opening little office to take con-
tracts for cleaning offices and per-
sonally supervising the whole matter
I wrote to Mr.. Kelly about 1t. But
nothing came even of that. So, Peter,
if you want me you can have me-"
And of course Peter took Helen in
his arms, beyond measure pleased to
find her in this humble frame of mind.
OF course, he knew that Helen was ac-
cepting him because she had found no
chance in business.
A few days later came letter,
signed by one j. II. Kelly.
II didn't see any chance Of giving
you a job" said Mr.. Kelly, "but since
reading your letter and considering
your plans for an office-cleaning
agency I think perhaps we could come
to some agreement. 1 see you have
brains and courage. I'm interested in
your plan and would be willing to
back such a venture and finance It,
We could make it sort of side issue.
Meantime you could be of real use to
me here in this Office, and guess /
could mention salary that would ap-
peal to YOU"
Helen read the letter at first with
eagerness. This Mr.. Kelly, she had
found. out, was thoroughly reliable
business man of high standing. And
he had appreciated. her qualifications
he really felt that he could make
use of her.
Helen reread the letter and put It in
hor doslr Che would apSuor If later in