Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-03
Daily Short Story
Special Account
B, ISABEL JoHNsToN

BY ISABEL JOHNSTON
STD LIKE 60 close out my ae-
eDunt. please" Mrs. Alice Evans
managed a casual smile and was
|glad the transaction could be so
impefsenal. n - - ~ y---r
For weeks she had fought 10
Seep a tiny balance in the bank.
Me gave up her bank book and
box the S10.59. Now that she
lad drawn out her last cent, she
hi a strange relief.
| II meant that something must
happen now. II meant that job
imply must come her way. IL
lad been IL years since Alice
Evans had received weekly pay
Envelope.
In spite of all the war activities,
here weren't many opportunities
br a woman OF 40 without recent
Experience. She couldn't put her
hree children into a scrapbook 10
how prospective employers she'd
zen successful in her work.
EAGER TO HELP MOTHER
Wholesome. happy, blue eyed
Margaret was something 10 have
|chieved. She had been puDy
ably, but now she was strong,
|nsy checked girl of Is, eager to
= help 10 her mother. She was
good little cook, too. and took
|vcr household tasks willingly.
At l3 Peter was already trying
y be q man and take his fathers
Mace. He was much smarter than
Ms mother at tending she furnace.
OF course. he did let the ashes
Ale I'D a bit. But IL was right
hat football, skating and swim
hing should be more important
han ashes at his age.
Tcn-year-old Mona hated to-
eave her book TO help with dishes,
mt II didn't occur TO her TO re-
tlse. And she certainly was smart
Ek school.
|CnMDREN WERE DARLINGS
The children had been darlings
bout adjusting themselves to-
Enlightened circumstances. The
huirance money had lasted well.
! had saved Mrs. Evans worry
)1ring those first stunned weeks.
IL had enabled her to keep
|rUtecting balance in the bank for
X whole months. 1t had given
Ier the chance TO put forth efforts
hat somehow. someway or other,
k0uld repay her with a living for
|er children and herself.
II was a superstition with her.
be called IL her special hank &C.
hunt. She was sure il she wrote
h0ugh letters of application. tried
Perythirg any one suggested.
kruggled hard enough to get
PUrk, she would build Up credits
~ herself that would materialize
ITO job.
Less than q month after her
rs, she'd tried selling lingeriesI
b commission. She soon saw that
nth carfare and lunches, il really
3dn't pay. II was all right for
M money, but it didn't bring in
nough.
Her friends in Huntington had
een tremendously KIND. Shed
Did them frankly that she'd be
killing to do anything. They'd
wen her housekeeping jobs.
he'd baked cakes for their par
les and even washed their cur
ains In the spring.
II had helped stretch the insur-
nee money out, but il wasn't
|n0ngh TO pay rent and buy food
pr three hungry, growing chill
Fcn. She simply had to have a
kgx1lar job.
PERSONAL PERSUASION
For the last three months she
nd been sending out letters to
AIMS in the city. Margaret typed
I'M for her-and even Peter and
}cna gave advice.
They must have sent out al
mi 200, but the usual answer
3 my came ut all--was that her
!pplication would be put on file.
A she turned In her gate. she
6cjded she would use a part of
MIS- last $1,000 to buy a commu-
mf1on ticket.
Letters were all right. II you
lpnld mention an imposing list of
scent positions. But II you had
- recent experience. you had to
- personal persuasion to con-
1nce them of your ability.
tive put on the stew" Mar
FDnret greeted her at the door.
rsAnd here are three letters. I
|was dying 70 read them, but 1
,nlhn't.r
q Mrs. Evans tore the envelopes
.pen eagerly. Perhaps her special
sccount was bearing interest at
2sf. She planced through them.
~ after another, then shook her
cad at Margaret's eager face.
sNo luck" she admitted.
nut I'm going into town and
- iob hunting every day--and
ae1sen you'll see"
II don't see how any en-
u ADvERTIsEhENT