The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-05-17
TOOTHPICKS
AND
ROMANCE
20 by d. ]. Walsh.)

- had ideals, inherited from the
romantic, semi-invalid mother
who named her Phyllis May.
But there was little time for the nur-
turing of ideals in the Gregory house.
hold. Phyllis began work at four
teen, standing on her feet all day be-
hind the counter in 10-cent store
and dragging her weary body to school
three nights a week. By the time she
was eighteen she had finished night
high school and mastered shorthand
and typewriting. Now, at nineteen,
she had secured her first stenographic
position and was beginning to feel
that her feet were firmly set at last
on the first round of the ladder of
success.
From her couch in the front room
Mrs. Gregory nominally supervised the
household. "Tim, you must wash your
hands more carefully. They are posi-
lively grimy And your nails"
saw, for Pete's sake, MOTHER" and
the overgrown sixteen-year-old boy
would look guiltiIy at the offending
nails, then awkwardly pat his moth
er's thin shoulder. "What with you
and Phil, don't never got no peace!"
And you studied grammar at
school," Phyllis would exclaim, dis
gustedly.
Grammar don't mean anything" he
retOrted. "It's what you do, not what
you say, that counts" E
Phyllis had to admit that he was
right fundamentally. But STILL" she
insisted, "being able to talk correctly
indicates good breeding"
"Sure, and I'm well-bred plumbers
assistant" he boosted, closing the ar
gument.
Phyllis hated Tins work. To her It
was dirty in every sense of the word.
But he had been forced to accept any
thing he could get. He speedily found
something intriguing about bathroom
fixtures. and boosted that one day he
would be a millionaire plumber and
live in porcelain-lined home.
But with the entry of Curtis Ashe
into Phyllis life minor worries were
forgotten. Young and good looking,
with that well-groomed air that wom-
en- so admire, he seemed the mate
REALIZATION of all she had dreamed.
Curtis was one of the richest custom
ers of Harvie Bros, where she was
employed. He came into the office
occasionally to talk with Mr.. Harvie,
and after a few casual chats with
Phyllis came Oftener, invited her to
lunch and even suggested dinner and
the theater.
Phyllis accepted the luncheon invi-
tatiOns and eventually the theater, but
she declined to take dinner with him.
Its my only meal with mother" she
explained, land she looks forward
to it." .--.
81 should think your brother could
entertain her for once" Curtis grum-
bled.
81 also prepare the dinner" she
laughingly replied. -.
Curtis had smiled, she thought with
annoyed surprise. ''Pd like to meet
your mother" he said presently.
Phyllis felt herself flushing holly.
"Mother would be delighted to have
you take dinner with us one eve
ming" she suggested, efficiently.
Curtis accepted with alacrity, and
Phyllis did her best with the dinner.
She was not ashamed of the apart
ment. 1t was comfortable and taste
fully if not extensively furnished. Her
mother had a real Irish linen table
cloth, relic of better days, and the old
mahogany sideboard, anonymously
massive, gave dignity to the dining
room. Tim consented, with some urg-
ing, to scrub his nails clean for once.
But goOd-natured, well-meaning Tim
almost spoiled things in the end. The
dinner, from roast chicken to home
made ice cream and caramel cake, had
been perfect Curtis had become
genial and expansive, Phyllis was very
happy. Before they left the table Tim
looked around inquiringly, then rose
and rummaged through the kitchen
cabinet. He came back with what he
sought. isis forgot to put them on
the table,"
mo, no thank you" Curtis waved
them away with strained expression.
Tim helped himself. 'Take one, sis"
he invited.
After her guest had gone Phyllis
gave way to angry tears. He'll think
we're common and don't know any
thing" she sObbed.
eff he really cares for you he won't
notice a little slip like that" Mrs.
Gregory tried to comfort her. Tim,
staring at his carefully scrubbed nails,
said nothing.
A month passed and Curtis showed
Enthusiastically that a little matter of
toothpicks could not come between
him and his love. Shy and tremulous,
Phyllis crept into her mothers arms
to tell the wonderful news. Curtis
loves m, He wants to be married
right away"
"YOu deserve the best" her ro-
mantle mother answered, satisfied.