The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-15
q 1929 By NEA Jer,nce IKE.

suggested. Il suppose you're hav-
ing dinner with Jack?"
Molly nodded.
They parted at the station.
And at 10 O'Clock Molly began the
conquest Of newspaper row.
At 2 she was unutte*ably weary.
She remembered that she had had
no lunch, and stopped at a restau
rant for a cup Of coffee. When she
had finished it, she placed her sheet
of purple stationery on the counter,
and checked off the offices she had
visited. Seven. Seven times in four
hours she had been told courteously,
but firmly, that she was not wanted.
There were various reasons. They
usually suggested that she come
back when she had a little expert
ence.
But where am I going to get
experienced" she had asked, trif1e
wildly.
That was at the seventh place.
And the editor had shrugged. and
smiled kindly, and said he was
really very sorry. Most Of them
said they weren't taking on any
one "just now. Later,
perhaps"
1.-TWO more places" she reflected.
and then it will be all over"
She wondered what girls did when
they didn't have any money, or any
home.
At the eighth place an Office boy
told her the city editor was at
lunch.
And if you're looking for a job,
he volunteered, 'it won't do you any
good to wait, because he's turned
down about fifty college girls al
ready"
What made you think I'm a COL
lege girl?" she asked.
The boy grinned.
"Oh you college girls don't do
nothin' but look for jobs in June"
he told her. There's been q regu-
lar procession of girls, ever since the
schools closed"
She sighed, and took the elevator
to the street floor The last place
was across the street.
The city room was big and dirty,
and full of smoke. Men sat in their
shirt sleeves smoking pipes. Some
Of them we're pounding typewriters.
There we're others sitting about q.
huge table, writing with big fat
pencils. They all looked exactly
like the men in the other eight Of
fees. And the place smelled like all
the other places.
ATO one paid any attention to her
She approached o man with a
green shield over his eyes and
cigaret in his mouth.
will you tell me, please. where
I can find the city editor
''I'm the city editor" he told her.
And that rather took her berath
away.
I'm looking for job she said
simply. Il haven't had any expert
ence. But know I can write"
mo experience at alp"
mo" she said
What do you want to do?"
Anything. -
Got plenty of nerve?" :.
"Oh-yes."
do you know what an Inquiring
Reporter is?'
Eyes. I've read the column in
your paper. It's somebody who
goes around asking questions, and
then writes what people tell him"
We'll" the man grinned amiably.
cts little more than that. People
are so dumb you know. The In
quiring Reporter sort of puts things
in their mouths. Whimsical, witty
thingS-if he's clever. Makes 'em
think they said EN-: you know.
Wouldn't ever do to miSquote any
body You get it?"
Molly swallowed. It might be
simple enough, but it sounded
queer.
"Oh. yes" she declared. q under
stand"
well. our Inquiring Reporter is
drawn for jury duty he told her
IF you think you can do his job
I'll give you a try at it. Maybe you
can hit an original slant on the
thing. When you do want to go to
work?'
Molly's heart bounded joyfully,
and her mouth was so dry she could
scarcely swallow. She hoped her
voice wouldn't tremble.
ANY time" she said.
Tomorrow morning, then" he
instructed. "Eight-thirty. Bring IN
some sample questions when you
come. and we'll go over them to-
gether. I'll send you out with
photographer. Eighteen dollars
week to start, and more if you're
worth it."
Eighteen dollars a week. Well,
it was a beginning anyhow, Just
when she was getting so awfully
discouraged. too. Her very last
chance, in fact. 1t was wonderful,
really.
She wondered if Rita had been as
fortunate. But Rita, over their
sundaes twenty minutes later, was
desolate."
The only offer had she de-
clared. was a chance to model in
a shop on Boylston street. want
TO use my brain
Molly was meeting Jack at half
past five.
ITO Re Contirued(