The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-11
THE new WOMAN
BY MRS. L. MEREDITH.

It was a day before Christmas and Cir
cleviIe general was preparing for q gay
time during the holidays, but Mr.. Werley
was a very stingy man. AS he started
off to his place of business he suddenly
asked Anything needed from the gro
Gerry this morning." af If afraid to listen
for fear of an order Mrs. Werley had
been in the habit of sewing and furnish
ing her own pin money unbeknown to
Mr. Werley; but this was Christmas time
and her spirit was pretty well fired up,
so she replied with seeming negligence:
''Yes-no-not exactly, but ! would like
ten dollars"
Ten dollars, Heavens and earth. What
DO you want with ten dolars?'
''Oh. lots and lots of things
May, did you knorT that money IS
very scarce at present.
1T certainly must be, as l have not
spent that much since l came to Circle
vile twelve years ago.
But l can't understand what you want
with so much money. May" and, half
trembling for fear she could not answer
the cross questions, and give every item
that she had wished to purchase correct
ly, she replied:
Il need that amount of money. My
shoes are not fit TO wear any longer ana
my dress and hat have been remodelled
until there is nothing left to work on.
and tonight want to go to the Christmas
tree 1 have sewed and worked out off
ferent plans 10 keep my clothes IN re-
pair
Great Scott, May" he interrupted,
trying TO disgrace me by taking in
work.
Well" she replied. II did so because
i hated to ask you for money. Before
was married L had q salary of my own.
!. and 1 did not have to take a back seat
for any of the Jonesburg girls. Now you
seem TO think l should always be happy
y and gay, while my shoes, gloves, hats and
dresses are growing on trees, ard my
spending money falling like toads in a
hail storm And 1 tell you. Mr. Werley.
il goes hard with me to have to ask for
every penny / need-then have it counted
ont TO met just as though / did not
have sense enough to use it. Wisely. you
do not know how it is to be dependent
after having a stated salary. And, Mr.
Werley, you think if a woman has
home to live in, and something to eat. it
is all that is essential to her happiness
Well" thought Mr.. Werley. women
are foolish beings, anyway; five dollars
will be the greatest of plenty" and, tax
ing from his pocket a five-dollar bill. he
laid it on the table, saying, There, May,
is five; try and make that do as times
are very tight at present" and he hasti-
~ kissed her good morning and ran to
catch his downtown car, congratulating
himself for his generosity.
Poor May sat there thinking bitterly
of Mr.. Wer1ey THERE" thought she,
he can take a car, but / must walk. >
Fixing herself up as best she could. she
walked in to town. which was fully
half mile. thinking deeply how would she
manage it. a new dress was needed,
shoes, stockings, hat, wrap. and a great
many articles with only five dollars to
buy them ll.~"What happy Christmas
eve,' thought May. In couple of hours
she returned nome with an aching heart
for she was both tired and hungry-just
as Mr. Werley stepped from the car Mrs
NNerley saw him step off the car and went
into the house together. Supper was
Just ready and they sat down immediate
ly.
We'll, May, you went up Town this af-
ternoon. die you?
Yes" she answered biting her lips to
hold back what her heart was speaking.
Spent all your money, l bet" he said
5estingly.
-, At this her face grew deathly white;
1t was too much for her TO answer and
seep back what should be justly said. but
lhis was Christmas eve, and she wanted
TO spend it as happy as possible.
Arc you sick May?" he asked, getting
somewhat excited.
why didn't you take a car and not
tire yourself to death?"
Just because l had no money she
replied
mo money? Goodness gracious! and
] just gave YOU five dollars this morning
Mr.. Werley how much ought five dol
lars buy? | spent one dollar for lace to
fix up my dress with; fifty cents for cam
brio: one dollar and fifty cents for
walking hat: two dollars for shoes. and
the result is nothing left to pay for car
fare"
This set Mr.. Werley TO thinking. as he
watched his wife take spiteful bites of
bread and butter, for he saw the war
ter. if the servant had rot been present
, as he was a great man foI appearances.
as men usually are.
why didn't you call at the Office for
more?"
DO you suppose, Mr.. Werley. that
would humble myself to plead again for
the necessaries of lifeP'
Great Scott. May. do YOU think it l.
humbling yourself to ask for the neces-
saries OF life. ard what is yours?'
NO, Mr. werley. / would not mind ask
ing you for money. but | must go In to
details and explain how. where. and what
over and over. until it seems like the
trusts hard TO get cut: and have re-
solved TO turn over a new leaf. and he
the new woman a while now, beginning
shis Christmas eve. You let me carry the
, aocketbook and see just what simple
matter it is TO ask for every five cents
you need; just for one week"
'oh. no. May, l could not do basi-
ness; il ~ out of reason
We'll. MIR. Werley. you just try it;
come TO me for your personal expenses.
and YOU will find 1t just as easy for you
20 run your business without money as
for me 10 keep home without it. / know
you Will be just delighted
81 should like it / l<row, May.
'wil you try it,
Yes. II il viii please you. and stop this
nonsense of yours-here is the pocket
book. handing his wife well-filled
purse but he added, Give me ten first.
.lNfl Il n