Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-12-16
CHAT


had my sttention called to the long
faces OF so many OF the Christmas shop
pers- Miss Thomas" said my friend.
this time last year the really rich were
talking very frankly about economy
and this year they seem comfortable
but the next set are making all sorts OF
faces over prices and ma-..ng .'muchly"
over having 70 give Christmas presents.
The part Of Christmas giving that trouo-
les me In that SO many shams go IN H.
I know one woman who by all sorts OF
schemes got some boxes from . wen
known 5ewslry house and will use them
kor cheap Jewelry. ! know girl from
she country who last summer went 20 q
fsu-cent store here and got her presents
and win m them in a big firms wrap
per 10 make them look expensive"
Mary spoke up: Don't you approve OF
fixing the presents In some nice way2"
YES" was the reply. IT thoroughly
approve OF the tissue paper. the dainty
uttls stickers and the red ribbon A ten
cant handkerchief fixed that way Is all
some people can really afford TO give.
hut when they put q ten-cent handker-
chtef into q box that has a big price on
the bottom and Intentionally deceives
<hey are robbing the day Of It's holiness
pride Is a great factor In the lives
q most Americana" remarked Helen,
Who has spent many months in Europe.
<-somstimss I thoroughly indorse the de-
oided class distinction that plays SO I'M
portant q part In the lives Of the Eng
fssh people We who have common sense
enough to dress within our income.
know that IL there was q strong public
s>nffment against those who put all they
fst on their backs more homes would
Be happier
where would you begin to do that
AachinEy~ asked Mary
There Is where you get me puzzled.
huxhsd Helen IF I were sure OF the
y.schers would say there. but >some OF
shs teachers are quite as frivolous as the
rfris IN factories and stores Some OF
shem spend all they make on their
clothes and their conversation is not
any more uplifting. They are the portion
Who are using the noble profession as a
h-,6r~ 70 take them across TO matrfmo-
Az T-h> same class In stores work from
r..r 10 year and are never promoted be-
ssuse their minds are on men, money
and dress"
How about the menr asked Mary
They are full brothers 70 the girls
p,w dav and making n show and flying
around with girls as silly as them
selves Is the sum OF their ambition It's
a mistake that sex makes one set reiia-
ble and another frivolous A frivolous
mother may transmit her traits TO the
Eou instead OF the daughter. In fact. 1
xnow 4 famous man whose son Is not
rorth q moments consideration. while
ais daughter Is q lovable. brainy woman
she goes ahead and helps In all the up
sitting things her father loved and the
son Is a perfect -nonentity-"
sswelI. you haven't yet said how to
zach thrfftfness to the American peo-
ple,~ Insisted Mary.
8 ssoespairfnx Of the mothers, I'd let
avery school have bank. and teach the
riris and boys business methods- Five
ioIIars would be the limit I would let
any pupil accumulate In that bank Tnen
II were not actually needed At home IL
would 20 into a national bank for a
rear. But II the home needed IL would
Vet auart q fourth OF u for the national
hank. There Is where the good. common
,ense and Christianity OF the teacher
rouid be needed There could be no
rejudice nor favoritism. A child inciin-
"a to selnshness would have to divide and
ne child too generous vouie be encour-
Ned to save for the rainy dsy. Not ex-
,ectinx 70 put my theories into practice
4 have not thought out the details as
nrsfuIIy as would with such pros
lect before me-"
Z Others Joined the group and Mary's
Efterrion was diverted have pondered
Sver the problem as I sat in q darkened
noom and held the hand OF one on the
,dwe of eternity. Before ] give my
thought ia Ike 20 have some letters
rom the thinkers OF this band False
,ride ignored ambition and shams in
read OF reality seem 20 be eating the
feart out OF q certain class OF our peo-
pie-
Let's p1t on the whole armor OF God
md use our fndusnce TO fight EVIL. not in
Aigh places. but in our own hearts and
ne lives OF our associates.
Faithfully yours.
LIZZIE o.. THOMAS.