Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-04-10
BROKE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

thoughtfully, probably irritably.
"Busy?" asked.
BUSY" she retorted in tone that
convinced me that she must have been
sucking the pencil irritably.
Anything the matter?" l suggested.
She shrugged her shoulders. Evil
IDENTIFY something was the matter.
Anything in which l can be Of
any service?" inquired.
mol" she almost snapped out the
monosyllable. 1t is not often that Mil.
dred is so ill-tempered.
you can put some Goals on the fire
If you like" she said. This was pre-
sumably meant as concession to my
possibly injured feelings.
obeyed promptly.
) Now, then,'' said in an encourag-
ing tone, what is it? Tell me all
about it, and we'll see what can be
done"
ooh, it's nothing" she rejoined. TITS
all very silly"
Its nothing and it's all very silly"
commented. Explain the para
dox.''
She tapped on the table with the
point Of her pencil. She seemed to
be considering whether she would ex.
plain or not.
Look at that" she said at length
deciding that she would. She handed
me sheet of paper on which she had
penciled some columns of figures
You might see If that totals right
added up the columns and the to-
tai was quite right. Nineteen pounds
seven shillings and eightpence farth.
: ing" / said.
you are sure?" she asked anxious
ly. but not hopefully.
Quite sure.'' l said. "And what
does this amount representa-
ut represents the amount of those
norrid bills" She picked up the lit
tie pile of papers as though she bat
ed it-as / believe she did.
And these bills are unpaid?"
ventured.
Every one of them,' she replied
bitterly.
And understand that you are the
-er-debtor?" continued.
''Oh, don't for goodness sake, use
such an appalling world" she pleaded.
'I-owe-all-those-bills."
"Why don't you pay them and get
1t over?" suggested, y
Il can't!" she declared.
1t was exactly what had supposed.
THE amount is not very large"
observed. AT the present moment 1
Z have no doubt that l owe great deal
more than-what is it?-nineteen
pounds seven shillings and eightpence
farthing."
She ignored my confession of indebt-
edness In the most unsympathetic
way. She was too interested In her
own trouble to worry over mine.
Look here" She produced a
purse from somewhere, as though by
sleight of hand, and shook its con.
tents out on the table. There were
two sovereigns, one-half sovereign and
some old silver and coppers. Count
that up" she commanded.
I obeyed. 1.-TWO pounds fifteen shill
ings and fourpence," l said.
She glanced at another piece Of pa
per. That's right" she assented.
That's rather nice, isn't it?'
Nineteen into two and half won't
co., unused.
picked up the bills and glanced at
them. They all bore the names Of var
ious firms Of diapers and milliners.
you are quite certain that all these
things are absolutely necessary" In
CURED. There is nothing you can
feel you might have done without"
Nothing at ALL Ali men are alike.
They all think that women can go
about in rags"
ed" ! assured her. "Only was won.
dering-"
well, then, don't WONDER" she ad.
yised. you don't understand any.
thing at all about iBs and your won.
deriEg can't do bit of good.'
Won't your father" / suggested
Il daren't ask him. she said. a
have already had my quarters allow
ance In advance and that's all there
ds left Of it." She pointed contemptu
ously to the little collection of coins
That was very improvident Of YOU
said.
She almost stamped her foot. a.
asked you for advice" she reminded
me. "or, rather you forced it on me
II didn't ask you for it-and won't
be lectured!"
Its very awkward" / said thought
fully. Very awkward, indeed. YOU
seem to be hopelessly insolvent."
And shall owe ever SO much more
before long," she reminded me.
Cannot you possibly avoid that?"
urged.
How can II" she demanded. Z"
must have clothes"
That seemed conclusive, and fel
that 1t would be as impolite to argu
as to lecture.
"The only thing to do" said, "i
to file your petition"
What do you mean?"
Become bankrupt" 1 explained.
That seemed to startle her. Sh,
stared at me to see If Ismeant it, ant
tried hard, and think successfully
to look as though did mean it.
NONSENSE" she protested.
l shrugged my shoulders. Its I'm
pleasant / admitted, but very ofte1
1t has to be DONE"
And have my name in the newspa
pers?"
"That is one of the conditions. 70,
zee. when you came of age last March
and SO many people gave you so man,
presents, you ceased to be legally ir
responsible. You can become bank
rupt now quite as legitimately as car
a stock broker"
Il won't!' she said. very emphati
cally.
--..- .-sf