The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21
LIER TRIAL OF THE
SIMPLE LIFE FAILED.
The Widow Decides That Remar-
riage Is Her Only Hope.

The truth dawned upon her that too
much money was outgoing in proportion
to what was incoming, while conscience.
aided and abetted by common sense, worked
upon that fear until she was nerved up to
adopt measures of retrenchment which,
though logical. gave" inclination a jolt.
An itemized bill lay before her that had
proved a conscience awakener
First was the telephone.
Talk about a bargain counter as a tempta-
tation' Tn bargain counter is delusively
harmless when compared with the telephone.
A woman canno resist IL. You not only
AVE to father your own bill. but every
woman who calls has the telephone habit.
and the minute she spies the receiver
she remembers that she forgot to tell dear
Reginald where TO meet her. or she is 80
afraid her horrid dressmaker will not send
her new gown In time, and please, may l use
the phone"
Then the item of messenger calls.
II is so easy TO twirl the little announcer
when one is in such a hurry-the mails
are so slow and you wan the note delivered
at once. and OF courset the boy must wait for
an answer. At the end OF the month it
forms a formidable combination with the
phone item.
And then the tips. The boys are at
~tentive. the maids obliging. hooking up
gowns and staying up waiting for your re-
turn home tired out, when they help you
undress.
The other item stared up with accusing
leer, and the resolution TO adopt a cheaper
schedule took on proportions.
The widow experienced a sort OF wrench
at the thought Of giving up the old a~ssocia-
tons. but common sense reasoned Il out,
and the hunt for a cheaper home became
the occupation of her waking hours.
At last a place was found. not exactly
habitable, but which would be put in con-
dition." and as her lease had expired NOV
ing day found a woman with "A resigned
expression and a can't he cured manner
directing the dismantling Of what had
been home while making heroic efforts
to make the best Of things by comforting
herself with spending in prospective all
that she would save.
A light housekeeping apartment with
the ianitress to help out with little chores
A light breakfast and TO dine out would be
her future programme. IL would he so
lovely 10 potter over n little gas stove.
II all sounded so domestic that she tried
TO persuade herself that her one longing
was for a home because she was so tired
Of hotel life.
True, the telephone had not been put in
the new place, there was no messenger
call and she learned later that, the place
being a business building, there was not
even a front doorbell. Her furniture was
stored in a distant city and a power Of
attorney had to be executed before the
people would consent TO shipping II, but
il she was going to economic she would
begin at the beginning and think only Of
that little hoard that was to secure against
that rainy day" and so she moved.
A box couch with n lot Of pillows and
a few trunks in a large bare room had a
very disquieting effect on her nerves, but
while she could not hope to be fully equipped
in less than two weeks yet that would
\. soon pass. But-there was not a chair
TO sit on, not a plate or knife or fork
not a cup or saucer or spoon, no bed linen,
and only a fancy couch cover.
The first night she was so thirsty. No
icel No telephonel No messenger call!
How could she get any ice? All in the
house were absolute strangers to her, and
so when it grew dark she crept down to
the front door n waited, A newsboy
sauntered by she gave him a quarter,
asking him to get her Just n little hump.
He forgot TO return. Then came a friendly
faced darky, who secured the luxury and
received a generous tip. Even then she
shave of scraps Of ice with a pin and shake