The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-12-22
CON T RITI0 ION
a Christmas story From Life
By J. a. o.

Christmas Story From Life
By. a. o.
married life in dainty little cot {
bage Robert had bought and fur
nished in a pleasant spot OF the
town. And how beautiful and I
happy the first year of their we'd
ded life was. Their pure, ardent
love for each other made the year
a delicious dream. "Oh, it would
never end!o Not for them! Other
peoples love might end-or what
some people called love-but not
this beautiful dream, not their love.
At the end of the year baby boy
came to gladden. their lives, and
their happiness was now complete.
Robert had, of course, lost his
position with his father-in-law on
account of the marriage, but talent
and business ability was not to go
begging, and he was soon employed
in another store but at smaller
salary. However, this did not dis
courage him, he was ambitious,
young, strong and able to work,
and with a little savings for emer-
gency he had laid by, he had no
fear for the future.
Yet, one small cloud had arisen
on the horizon, which threatened
their future. Beatrice was poor
manager and knew nothing of the
practical side of the cares and work
of a household, nor did she know
the art of saving or the value of
money in domestic affairs. 1t was
not her fault, for her parents and
teachers had sadly neglected this
part of her education. Though the
dearest little wife on earth to Rob-
ert, they were continually going
behind and could not make income
meet expenses. At the close of the
third year he not only found his
, savings gone but a mortgage OF
) three hundred dollars on their little
l home. Beatrice had signed this
i mortgage without knowing its in
1 tents or purpose. To Robert this
caused anxiety and many sleepless
nights; he had a horror of debt.
e Above all other warnings he re.
r ceived from his dear old father
!, was, Keep out'of debt" Debts
e always make trouble both for the
f creditor and debtor. Beatric
h could not understand these money
r affairs, or at least did not give i
n much concern; if she wanted any
/ thing she bought it whether TIN
/ price was right or not; she hat
d been taught to get what she desired
e and have papa pay for it, onl,
e it was Robert now, and Robert di'
e not have ''papa's' big pocket book
e Robert loved her too dearly to fin
,e fault with her management, an
5. instead of discussing these littl
If matters with her, as he should hav
1t done, let things take their course
g daily wrestling with the probler
IS how he might increase his income
rs There was no prospect of anythin
,r better in the town where they live
le so his thoughts turned toward th
le large city. He;could get a bette
salary; the, opportunities for pre-
III motion were better and the chano
I'd for some lucky, investment migf
y occur and put. him on his fee
n After weighing the matter som
of months he decided it was the onl
er thing to do. He knew Beatrie
b. would gladly assent, for she ha
IS often spoken wish that they coul
I'd live in city where people Id
r, things" and where she could hay
all larger and better social advantage
Of course she must be consulte,
vo and she was, but he did not tell h
IT. all his reasons for going, he wou
re not cause her pain in that, for |
of felt that the arrangement of b.
ad parents was trouble enough to b.
nm about money matters.
: h So the little home and it's furnis
in ings were sold at sacrifice, the
at debts paid and they arrived in Il
or city with few hundred dollars
s tide them over until Robert 'shou
in find work. Then they spent ty
on weeks of valuable time hunting f
ire fiat and finally took one of t
oh, first ones looked at, at $40. 90 p
rst month because it was modern a.
cir because it seemed to be in an artist