Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-27
SUB ROSA
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ny MIMI.
ny MIMI.
The Well Known Pest.

| ON, nave you got Cnange?' Snrlllcu
Alice. as she and the other girls clam
bcred aboard a street car. II haven't
thing but a dollar bill with me. Just
put nickel in for me-do you mind?"
| OF course, neither Of the others mind
ed. Even high school girl feels
wealthy enough to throw away nickels.
Later ut the ice cream store. Alice
distinguished herself by eating two ice
| cream sodas and an unconscionable
| amount Of French pastry.
Fifty ccnts!" she gaspcd reading the
| BILL Eye gods, and I've got to get that
| dress from the cleaners or can't go
| tonight BE peach, Jean. and just
| pay it up for me. will you? I'll pay the
whole thing back tomorrow"
Jean obligingly paid, assuring Alice
| that the whole thing was treat--she
mustn't think another thing about It..
| and SO forth.
Nonsense" exclaimed the happy lit
| tie borrower. II insist on paying you
| back If 1t wasn't for that wretched
! cleaners. I'd never dream Of asking you
to help me out right now"
That is always part of her line. While
borrowing money, she never fails to as
sure her victims that she isn't in the
habit of accepting the smallest loan
from any one at all.
OF course, she doesn't remember to
pay back the infinitesimal sums she has
borrowed And If she Is unfortunate
| enough to meet any one SO rude as
Clara, she has ready answer for her.
Clara advanced few niCkelS and
dimes for AliCe's car fare. lunches and
after-school treats. Then. being wise
young woman and not very wealthy, she
decided that loans must cease until
such time as Alice chose to catch up
with her debts.
So one fair afternoon, when the girls
foregathered at the soda fountain to
add avoidupois to their slim figures, she
| amazed every one present by speaking
| rather sharply to good old Alice. Alice
had just said. "Oh, heck, what nui-
Sance. My check is a quarter, and I've
| only got SIS BILL turning appealingly
| to Clara as she did 50: when that young
woman remarked calmly, We'll, you
know can't help you out-that is. I'M
| til you pay me up for last weeks bill.
| I'm stony broke just at present, and
I'd appreciate little help myself
| Imagine Alice's disgust at the Sordid
turn of the conversation. Imagine her
| contempt as she turned to the imperti-
nent speaker: the lofty diSdain with
| which she rendered the borrowed money.
Said she. Really. Clara, 1 hadn't un-
| derstood that was borrowing. At the
| time you gave me to understand that
was being treated. And am afraid !
| took you at your word. All We girls
treat each other once In a while. And
we seldom Stink 1t necessary TO ask
| that the money for the treat be paid
| by the guest"
| This shot told Clara felt very un-
| comfortable. But as a matter OF fact.
| she had done herself and the other girls
| in the crowd good turn.
| Her little speech and the scene that
| followed it gave the other girls food for
| thought. One and all, they had reason
TO remember their involuntary treats"
| TO Alice.
One and all they began to make ex-
| cuses to hedge bit. to count UP the
| trifiing sums which Alice found 1t nee
| eSsary TO borrow from them.
| The point Is II any OF you have In
| your crowd one OF these easy little bor-
rowers. one of these girls who are al
| ways laughingly asking to be helped
out by all means step on her right now.
| Don't let her off with easy excuses.
Don't make a point OF forgetting the
| small loans you make her Get after
| her right away. Check up on her and
| see that she becomes honest, in spite
| of herself
This for her sake, as we'll as your
own. She will be unhappy and unpop-
| ular all her life because Of this vicious
little trait II some kind friend doesn't
become stern with her.
| Mimi will I've glad 10 answer any inquiries
! directed 10 THIS paper, provided stamped.