The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-02-16


Is going 10 pay me for it. I've no one
to consider but myself"
What are you going TO do?" Lucy
walled. "You talk and talk without
telling us anything"
Sniff puffed her cigarette medita-
lively.
I'm thinking how to explain It to
you" she said at last. you've nothing
against rich people. | suppOsef After
all. they're human. aren't theyi We
hear LOT about the deserving poor,
while no one has q word for the de
serving rich. From now on. ! mean to
devote my energies TO their relief"
Just as thought. she means to be
bootlegger!" Lucy cried. "Weu
have to make fer an allowance"
"A practical suggestion" Sniff
chuckled. Possibly | can combine II
with the project | have In mind"
.Smif. please don't be tantalizng,"
Louise urged. understanding her better
than the others. ''tell us straight out
what you mean to do"
1T requires explanation" Smif said,
principally because no one has open
ly embarked on II before as profess
sion. There are lots Of people skirting
the edge of it. people who more or less
prey on the rich. hangers-on of all
kinds who have no thought of giving
any return for the money they exact.
Whereas for years where | am con-
cerned the boot has been on the other
foot. The rich have come to me and
dumped their troubles on my shout
ders and I've given them sympathy,
advice. pluck to carry on with when
their burdens grew too heavy; my
time. my companionship-al free gifts
so long as | could afford it. Now
can't afford it. and propose tc make
them pay for just those things. I'm
going to announce myself as a Little
Sister of the Rich-at a high rate per
consultation"
mo one will come to you under such
conditions" Lucy shifted; "the ideas
absurd"
Your mistake, my DEAR" Sniff as
sured her amiably. I've several
clients already And, whether you be-
lieve IL or not, this enterprise will
fill want There are people in need
of exactly what | can give. I've had
1t in mind for years."
But what have yeu to SELF" Lucy
walled. "Please tell me that much"
Comfort and common sense" Smif
replied without hesitation, worth
every penny they'll pay me. And
now I'm going. leaving my reputation
for sanity behind me. Good-by. You
dears. Don't worry more than you
have to-"
When the elevator door closed be-
hind her Lucy exhaled audibly, as If
she had been holding her breath.
WELL This business of losing Cin-
ira has affected her brain. To pro-
tect her. she ought to be shut up"
Don't be silly" Louise. under
stress, asserted herself strongly.
"Smif's as sane as you. Don't you
agree with me. LauraT"
81 agree that Smif's perfectly sane,
not that | wouldn't try to have her
restrained If | thought 1t either neces-
sary or any use. II isn't, Lucy, so
put that idea out of your head More
over it's my opinion you'll be safe In
following my example and Just not
worrying | don't believe there's any.
thing to worry about. Consider what
she proposes to sell. Comfort and
common sense. Who In all the world
would pay penny for either of
those?"
Susan Phelps. whose wealth and in
f1uence were both great, was Smif's
most enthusiastic sponsor and adj
wiser She had experience OF Shifts
ing nerves Her Charles, to whom she
was persuaded she was devoted. was
a tiresome. repetitious, nagging little
man with the kindest heart In the
world and, now that Pam was of mar
riageable age. she found herself too
| plants and conjectures. Smif was as
sured from the start of a substantial
sum from consultations with Charles
| Phelps
Sniff had arranged to sublef her old
apartment and rent for herself two
rooms with a toy kitchenette in the
| Badminton, an apartment hotel on
Madison avenue. where she would need
| no servant and could be served such
meals as she desired.
She had told her sisters the literal
| truth when she had said that the gown
she wore was the only good day dress
she possessed. Since 1t was useless
for anybody with her figure to attempi
to shop in the ordinary department
| stores. sheer necessity directed her
steps to a Fifth avenue dressmaker
who had contributed very satisfactor
lily to her niece's trousseau.
| Madame Georgette, who swept out to
meet her. greeted her formally. Madame
| Georgettes French ended with hel
name She was Irish, with large
heart and a fine fair for the next fash
ion In clothes
Madame requires" she began ele
gantly, instead of with the usual shoI
formula: Can | help your" Then
seeing who her customer was sht
changed her tone: You're always 6
sight for sore eyes. Miss Lovely. ant
these days mine are strained looking
for luck. hope it's a trousseal
you're wantin' for yourself this time
mot chance of it." Sniff laughed
Il just want one frock. durable ant
reasonable"
"I'll make 1t as reasonable as
can. don't mind telling you I'm glat
to have anything to keep the work