The Washington times., 1908-12-25
PRESENTS IN SHOPS
ARE THE CHEAPEST
Rome-Made Gifts Often Not
So Pretty and Cost
- More.
CHRISTMAS TIRES;
TALKS JULY 4
Leonore's Friend Thinks She Got
"Stung" and Is Dis
= guSted.

came upon Anne Isabella, disconso-
late and weary, seated in a dark corner
OF the tearoom drinking or the cup that
cheers as if it were cyanide OF potas-
stun or hemlock.
What is the natter L inquired.
Matter enough" replied Anne lsa-
bella; I've been stung-"
ordered some chocolate with whipped
cream before l began my reproaches.
Slang" said ] then, lis always dis
graceful. but OF all the disgraceful
slang which has been invented to
blacken the brotherhood OF man the
term you have just used is the worst
Anne Isabella stirred her tea and
waited until I had ceased
Don't be tiresome." was her hrst
comment She spoke again in a mo-
ment. Il have been an idiot" said she,
snd told the story. Everyone I know
was making presents for Christmas,
Leonore; every single person. Mabel
told me hers had cost only s. for six
teen because she made them herself,
and she showed me an array of pretty
things that the most exigent person
might have rejoiced to receive. An
nette made all she was going to give at
small cost to herself; EmmeIine made
hers, and so on through the list. or
course, 1t Immediately occurred to me
that what man had done man could
DO, and I determined to make mine"
Worked Like a Slave.
Anne Isabella paused at this juncture
10 butter an English muffin.
Go on I commanded.
10 TSrt
downtown anu bought my materials
Then I went 10 work, and for three
weeks ] have worked early and late.
have refused invitations by the score;
] have stayed at home when I should
have been out taking exercise for my
health; I have ruined my sight, and
almost brought my gray hairs in sorrow
10 the grave-but no one can say I did
not make the Christmas gifts ! give.
Il embroidered a sofa pillow for
mother I had the burIap stamped, and
bought the silks, and the pillow part.
and worked on the thing night and day
for a week. Wnen II was quite finished
and I estimated the cost Of the mate
TlIls. not taking the work into cOnSid-
Grafton, understand, I found that my
sofa pillow had cost me s.. That is the
reason why, when / went downtown the
next day and saw one in a shop win
dow for $3.9S. except that it was a lit
tie prett6r. l was raging mad
Il knitted two. neCktes for my
brother. They cost me $50 apleCe-and
the work ] saw some at the haber-
dashers for exactly that price-prettier,
always prettier"
Perhaps those in the haberdasher-s
were not done by hand" 7 put IN,
meekly trying to stem the torrent OF
her self-reUroach.
Tale of Foolishness.
They looked as il they were. so what
natter" she answered, hoHOwIy But
the tale Of my fooIishness is not vet FIN
ished. I embroidered and made two un-
derwaists for my sister. They we're
simple and dainty. but blame them for
my blurred vision When they were
finished they had cost me $3.50 apiece
exclusive OF the work I can get hand
somer ones in the shops for the same
price"
But not handwork," I interpolated
again.
Hang the handwork," said Anne Isa-
bella.
81 made neckwear for several friends
and IL cost more than the same sort
of necl1wcar in the shops and isn't
done so well. Indeed. ] have resolved
70 keep it and wear it myself and buy
others for my acQuaintances
Take warning from me, LeOnore. and
never let any misguided and untruth-
ful person make you believe that Il is
easier and cheaper and better to make
YOUR Christmas gifts than to buy them
II isn't true It's one OF those fairy
tales told with deliberate intent 10 de-
ceive by women who have been caught
that way themselves"
But said /
Bring me another English muffin"
rudely interrupted Anne Isabella. "and
let us talk about the Fourth Of July;
am horribly tired of Christmas"
LEONORE CALVERT.
THE COY CREATURE.