New-York tribune., 1904-10-11
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rHE PRoRLEM oF THE SLEEVES.

II tell YOU" came in smothered but emphatic
tones. from the depths of the closet there are
moral problems in this life that are not solved by
anything in the Bible!"
"Ob. Edith" said her friend "I wish you
wouldn't stop to talk about moral problems and
the Bible when I'm waiting for you to 80 10
church with me, and the bells are ringing"
Edith emerged from the closet. bearing a jacket
but instead OF putting it she sat down with II
IL her lap.
Il don't think I'll CO. she said. Il want time to
think my problems"
What queer way to talk" said the other girl
'If your problems moral Ones you certainly
ought TO go to church and-and think about them
there It's The right pace to bring them you
might get some light on the subject
That's why ! said all the problems were not in
the Bibei Now, If 1 had some great question on
and ridiculous. And the Ten Comma ndments don't
ana the way / solve it is a question of character.
The other gil was simple, practGal ana dItGGt, @
When she had problems she solved them according
thought no more about them She looked at the
clock with a sigh. but she sat down. for she was
'Out with it," she said. I'm used to your
puzzles. What's the problem?' ~ -,
Edith held up the jacket. and exhibited inc
There's the problem!' she exclaimed, with
thing? The fashions have changed completely
The sleeves of this coat impossible. as regards
day it was bought. for 1 was foolish enough to
thing that would last several years. ] need new
one unless want TO look like Mrs. Noah. But il
and simpel Petty miserable vanity-thats what
It is! Now. have the right 10 buy a new one;
merely because the sleeves out of style and 4
don't want TO look like Mrs Noah?'
only problem / can see. Have you the money TO
buy new one? II not suppose you'n have to
That shows you don't understand the sltua-
tion; How do know whether l can afford II or
! not? I have tho money, but you know L am poor.
and the real problem is whether have the moral
haven't the courage to wear a good, warm. durable
garment with antquated sleeves, in the face OF
my critical fellow women who would rather dIs
than be out Of date. 1 could do it il had to. II
wear that Jacket. But have it, and yet there are
uses for it-oh. many uses-both for myself ana
only that / might spend It for some charitable
purpose. That would be highest OF all. but there
are other uses for that money. graded all the way
from selfsacrihce TO prudence. You don't realize
how carefully we have 10 choose when resources
are limited. But I just what l shall do.
shall think and worry until my head aches and
say on. bother! I've got to have the coat sooner
old thng!' Then I'll stop thinking from sheer
exhaustion and go and buy the coat. and feel
SWen then. il you know you are going to de-
eide il so. what's the use of fussng? Jump at once
to the conclusion you are sure 10 wind around to
""AbI An but 1 shall feel something else besides re-
/ standard / tell YOU it's moral problem, and it
changes it's aspect continually, according to the
/ standard you set yourself 1t isn't one problem.
but hundreds They come every day. On the one
others: the other-something else"
"But, Edith'-the girl in the flower hat glanced
at the mirror. and wrinlsled her smooth brow over
! the suggested difficulties. II really do think one
has to-conform. 10 extent You know how
YOU feel n you're not Justwell. up 70 date, you
| said It takes away ones self possession almost
! ones self-respect. Why. when ] haven't a good
4 hat'-sha paused impressivey. I once heard
woman say that she couldn't speak good English
n she had on bad gloves shoes There Is some
/ thing really important about il. Men have 10 con-
slider II: their RATS and ties matter of the
greatest Importance In deciding what sort Of men
/ they j knew man who couldn't secure any
! sort OF position because he wouldn't conform 70
the styles that mark gentleman. and
Vet his birth and education We're uneXceptionable.
After all, were living in world where the little
/ things count
Its all true. sighed the CONSCIENTIOUS Edith
But. dear. can't silence that othef irrepressi-
BILE voice that tells me our standards are small
sleeyes2 II really doesn't, you know. And yet
/ feel that 1 shall buy the jacket"