The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-29
Her DESPERATE
PLUNGE


figure as she led her caller into the
back room at her new boarding house,
let me show you all my Christmas
things. See this green petticoat with
the lace ruhleg Isn't it a beauty? l
have been just dying for one for
year. and now I've got It at lasti' and
she hugged the rustling ruffles with
an ecstatic sigh. And just look at
these long white suede gloves. They
reach way above the elbow, dear, and
they cost four dollars. And take
glance at this box Of silk stockings
all silk. my dear. every thread. and
warranted to wear forever Now just
smell this extract. It's a three-ounce
bottle, the very newest triumph Of
the perfumer's art And here is q
duchesse lace handkerchief and gold
bangle and an aIl-silk umbrella with
sterling handle and set Of honest
true sure-enough mink and
but stammered the other,
"who sent you all these things? And
how on earth did they know what
you needed? And why did they do
It, and.
Smith & Smith sent some OF
them" interrupted the red-headed
girl, happily "and Jones company
sent others, and Brown & Greer sent
others-and / paid for them all my
self. You see, it was this way. have
been working in this stupid old town
for ten years, denying myself every
thing I really want because its too
expensive, and putting money In the
bank and saving up every year for
Christmas and then spending all
I've saved on a lot of presents and
tips and things for others that /
couldn't afford for myself had just
a hundred dollars In the bank this
year, and / drew $50 Of 1t out to
60 and buy Christmas presents with,
and to distribute round among the
boarding house servants in tips.
wasn't looking forward to the holi.
day season very ioyously. because
nobody ever sends me anything
want, and I'm so poor and pinched
for weeks afterward that the season
Of good will is only a miserable tragic
farce with me.
We'll, ! started down to the shoT
with that money and my list in my
pocket Here's the list now:
Five dollars for father-a new
smoking jacket.
Five dollars for mother-a dress
pattern.
Fifteen dollars in trinkets to be
distributed among brothers. sisters
cousins and aunts.
Ten dollars for Jack-a watcl
charm.
Five dollars for charity to poo
folks.
Five dollars for little tricks for cir
friends.
Five dollars for tips.
while / was looking for father
smoking jacket my eye fell on thi
green silk petticoat / became fascin
ated l went over and examined II
The clerk told me 1t was ten dollars
turned madly, sadly but firmly bacl
to those cheap. common old smoking
jackets again. But my heart faile'
me Suddenly grasped my courag
and my hand bag and shut my eye
and went back and ordered the petit
coat sent to me c. o. d. reiiecte
that II had a change Of heart or m
conscience hurt me / could send
back again and say | did not want Il
But the madaess had got into m
blood. ! went to look for some blac
gtoyes for Aunt Elinor-and cam
away with these long white ones.
hunted for cheap handkerchiefs 70
Cousin Kate and walked out with thi
duchesse thing. I sought stocking
for my Oldest sister, Carrie, an
came away with this box Of silk da
iings was just about to buy som
sachet for my chum Bertha when
saw the extract bottle here done u
in velvet box-and fell When &
home that night I was Mortified I
find that had spent nearly the who
OF my hundred rushed down to Ii
bank next morning. clinched m
teeth, shut my eyes and drew II
rest Of It out Then the things bega
to arrive, Oh, It was glorious; iui
, like the visits Of a dozen fairy Sanl
Clauses and each one bringing what
had most longed foS Every time Il
doorbell rang my heart went pity-th
folks at home. But / never was
happy ii my life. They say virtue
/, It's own reward. and believe It. Bl
the rewards of SIN and seIhshness u
+ confined. unlimited, unbounded.
never had such a Christmas in n
Z life.
II sat down and wrote sweet lette
Of cheer and comfort to all the de-
I creatures at home. / told them no
hard ! was working and that | hi
decided to give no Christmas gif
this season and
But jack" broke IN the oths
! How did you explain II to Jack?r
7 oh. ! picked quarrel with hil
I l'll make 1t up on New Years and
; win be all the sweeter Anyway,
5 isn't wise to let a man think you a
d too fond Of him. I believe the vat