Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18
Around the City

She was an early shopper. but She
didn't get away with the goods. MOI
| that one time, anyhow.
She wanted belt buckles at a price
limit Of one dollar for two, and when a
smiling clerk took a tray of beauties
from the show case the shopper wishe,
she could buy the whole stock. She
selected an amethyst that was so much
purple sunlight, set in fihgree silver, and
gilt oval with topaz that had the
sparkle of champagne. Then she handed
the clerk a dollar bill.
The clerk looked at the bill.
You have not given me money
! enough" she explained in the nice wa,
some clerks have.
why. hows that? The amethyst is
! marked IS cents and the yellow one =.
cents-and l gave you dollar BILL
You didn't look closely enough. The
prices are $3.50 and $25U."
"Oh! Well, give me back my dolla
BILL"
Then the early shopper started on a
fresh hunt.
Wouldn't this be nice world if /,
wasn't for arithmetic?
A woman ana small boy were allowed
to go through the station gate with .
younger woman who was about to take d
there was time enough for the traveller to
have remained several minutes on the
platform with her folks. Instead Of that
she hoped aboard, fused with a window
until man passenger lifted it for her,
and then beamed down with the self-im-
portance characteristic Of people whose
jOurneyings are few and far between.
BE sure and write as soon as you get
there called the woman on the platform.
Sure. Don't you wish you were going
with mamma. Freddie?
Freddie looked up to the window, be-
came suddenly abashed for no apparent
reason and backed into the folds Of the
elder woman's gown. She seemed to un-
derstand and even share his embarrass-
ment, for her voice had a strained jocu-
larity as she answered for him:
mo, indeed. He'd rather stay home
with grandma. Well. give my love to the
folks and be sure and write If you get
"Of course-and don't you forget to
write, ma
Ma looked up, but let her glance slide
from daughter to the car wheels. The
young woman also began to gaze fixedly
| and there was a halt in her vivacity as
she turned at last to her mother.
Take good care OF yourself ma. If
you get sick let me know and I'll come
right back"
Don't you get sick either. Emrrie, -
| admonished the elder woman. with
visible effort at appear ring solcitous
Have good time, and write as soon
as
She seemed to realize that she was re.
peating herself for she stopped short
and looked hack at the gate.
Say. ma"-Emmie was determined to
| regain her spontaneousness'-D for
| get what / told you"
| What was it? It's slipped my mind"
Emmie must have made her remark be-
J cause she could think of nothing else, for
| she giggled nervously and locked away.
"Oh, don't bother about it,
Ma skewered uD her forehead, as il to
recall daughters instructie ms. and then
| nodded:
"Oh, yes. I know now what you mean
All right, I'll attend to 1t.
Both laughed-prObably at each other
Freddie having found 1t impossible to
keep I'D his end of the situation, fixed
was wheeling a load Of trunks. The two
women stared at each other foolishly
"Be sure and write when you get there
| Emmie."
Eyes. indeed. ma; and don't you and
Freddie get sick"
Another strained pause. terminated by
+. sudden preparatory lunge of the car
The tension was relieved.
Goodbye. ma: goodbye. Freddie"
Goodbye. Emmie: be sure and write
when you-
The car gave another lunge and
| wheeled from under the shed. The wom-
an and boy looked as II weight had
fallen from them.
And one trainmen said to another:
"Ain't they the limit? Wonder what
1t is. anyhow. that makes folks act I'M
natural like that when one Of ems going
away? Why, there isn't one In 500 that
knows how to behave like themselves