Connecticut western news., 1909-06-10
SAVED FROM
 BANKRUPTCY
By ESTELLE CLAIRMoNT. Copyrighted. 19O9 by Associated Literary
 Press.l

Well. they were married and had gene to housekeeping in a cozy little fiat, Arthur Lee and Edith Session. II was a love match. Edith knew that Arthur had a thousand dollars and ne more to go into the gents furnishing business in a modest little store, and she knew that she would have every. thing to learn about housekeeping. as it would be long time before they could afford to keep a servant.
 Everything had gone along splend |. ly for a few weeks, both at the st, re and at the flat, when that old mp Miss Headly came poking her nose !. { one day. She was an acquaintance be -reeted. Of course she promenad. cd through the five rooms and praised nothing, but neither did she condemn until the bride pointed to vacant space in the parlor and observed thlt it was reserved for the piano when they could afford one.
 Then the spinster sat down as stiff as a poker with her hands in her lap and replied:
 Well, 1 expected it."
 Expected whatT'
 That you would bankrupt your hus band inside of year by your eX- travagance. You'll coax him into get ting piano, and then will come a fu1 coat and opera tickets and rides in q hired auto, and if you tease hard enough he may even buy an auto on the installment plan. I saw the other day that tho business failures in the country last month were ATS, or 79 more than for the same month last year. The men are not to blame for 1t, but have been driven into bankruptcy by their wives"
 But we may not get piano for two years" protested the wife, "and walk to save street car fare"
 But what are you doing to assist your husband?"
 'Why. I'm keeping house."
 "Yes and having nothing to do halt the time but read novels. If was wife situated as you are. I'd be earn ing and saving against the crash"
 ''Is there a crash coming?'
 Certainly. and it's going to be in the gents furnishing goods too. I meant to bring along the article I saw i'll the paper yesterday, but left in a great hurry. Edith, do you !. line that men are always going to wear shirts and collars and cuffs? Has it never occurred to you that the time will come when they will make one suspender do in place of two or wear none at all? Are they going to keep on choking themselves with neckties: :: Are they going to continue to wear socks when all writers on hygiene de clare that wearing none at all is the way to avoid colds, catarrh and con- sumption? I tell you that a great change Is coming, and you should pre- pare for it. Any day your husband may come in and tell you that he is bankrupt"
 why, how can men get along with. out shirts and things?" asked Edith as she turned pale.
 By returning to the simple life. Adam had no use for those things. You may yet see millionaires walking the street, by advice of their doctors, with only a bedquilt wrapped around them"
 And if my husband goes to smash in his business, then-then"-
 "Then suppose you had the money in the house to start him in a delicates- sen store? There Is a business that is not in danger. There are no fashions to menace it. There are no doctors holding out warnings. You simply go in and get potato salad and sausage and come out again. If you are the owner of the store you make 50 per cent profit. Arthur can slice the roast beef and such. while you make the sal ads. If I were in your place 1 would not let another day pass without try ing to get something to do to save up money for the crash coming, but wouldn't say a word to Arthur to dis courage him and so bring 1t all the sooner"
 Having said her say and been as mean about it as she could, the old maid departed and left the young wife in tears. Something to do? Why, yes. She had always been asked why she didn't develop her talent for painting. She would begin a little picture tha very day. She would paint one every day until she had six on hand and then send them to different art stores. Each one would probably be accepted and paid for on sight. She might start her savings account with $20O
 The young wife dried her tears, brushed her hair and within an hour had begun picture No. 1. Nothing wa$ said about bankruptcy when her huS- band came home She did not even .l I..l