The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-12

and knew it.
Suddenly her lips set in firm
line and she hurried down the hall.
Celia paused in the open door
way. She saw a large room before
her, light though the shades were
pulled at one side. Beyond a
wooden railing several girls worked
at typewriters. Inside the railing
at a desk facing the entrance sat
a girl with red hair.
She was reading a book. -Four
feet away an electric fan buzzeo
loudly, drowning out the sound OF
Celia's footsteps.
II
MO one took any notice Of the
IN girl in the doorway. Celia
cleared her throat and stepped for
ward.
Excuse me. Is this the Office OF
the Watkins Letter Company"
The red-haired girl raised her
eyes.
This is it. Who'd you want to
see?"
Cela'S coaching in business APP
preach was comm back to her.
"Why-I-is the manager tn?"
A cold, gray stare countered this
The girl at the desk Smoothed back
a stray tendril of carefully marceled
hair before she answered. She eyed
Celia impersonally. A dress OF
vivid green georgette seemed to
make her all the more formidable.
"Mr. Norton's busy" she said.
What you want to see him about?'
There was no help for it. 1t
would have to come out.
Il wanted to ask about position.
I'm a stenographer," Celia blurted
out. Her cheeks burned. She didn't
like the woman in green.
"Oh, you want a job" The wom-
an shifted to tone of snappy eff
cheney. "Nr. Norton isn't the one
to see about that. Sit down in that
chair there and III give you a blank
to fill in"
1t didn't sound promising. Celia
Rogers had filled in employment
blanks before.
"But-ther9 is vacancy here,
isn't there?" she persisted.
The red-headed one nodded. She
handed Celia a sheet of paper bear
ing a printed form and continued
to study the girl openly.
Yeah, there's a vacancy. The
jobs takin' letters and some Office
work. There's been several in ahead
of you, though. Fill in the blank
and put down your telephone num-
Der. They'll call you if they want
you"
Celia looked at the blank, moved
uncomfortably.
But couldn't I see the man who
hires people?"
Sorry" the other shook her head
firmly. Just fill in the blank.
They'll let you know if they want
you"
1t didn't seem fair. She wasn't
even being given a chance!
With careful pennanship Celia
filled in the card before her, since
there seemed nothing else to do. She
was not helped by the knowledge
that the young woman at the near
by desk continued to eye her Curl
ously.
Name" Parent or Guardian, -
Education" place Where Last
Employed" These we're some Of the
words printed on the card. They
were all answered quickly except the
last one.
In more than one Office lack of
experience had cost Celia job. She
had thought these last desperate
days Of inventing names of past
employers. She gave up the idea
because, after all, Celia Rogers was
well equipped with common sense.
Now she stared at that blank line
and then wrote in her neat hand,
mo previous experience"
CELIA had received high grades
~ in the commercial classes at
Western. She had won honors at
speed tests and practiced hour after
hour at home. Miss Willis, the in
structor, had said there was no
question that she was qualified for
a commercial position.
when do you think I may hear?"
she asked the girl at the desk as she
returned the sheet of paper.
ooh, tonorrow-maybe next day
The older woman was reading
what Celia had written. Suddenly
she pounced On the line headed
Experience"
mo experience, huh! Well, why
didn't you say so? This office is
only for very experienced, high
speed workers. They won't have any
other kind. No need Of your leaving
this here!"
you meant haven't got a
chance?"
Suddenly Celia Rogers saw red.
1.-THE ad in the paper didn't say
that she answered holly. THE ad
said this office wanted stenogra-
pher. I can work as fast as lots of
girls who've been out of school two
years. If 1 could only see the man
and show him how fast I can
type"
1t was without effect. The red
haired young woman smiled per-
and with an air of aloof-
ness returned to her book.
Celia started to leave, then turned
back.
"Will Won see that that blank I