The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-07
THE EVENING STORY
A Fresh Start.
(By Louise olney.)

| (By Louise Olney.)
It was Christmas week, but Sam
Morris hated the thought of the holt
day. Bending his head grimly to the
chill wind, he walked homeward. He
knew he was already late, that Rose
would be anxious and the supper
waiting, but he would not take the
car. Five rides instead of six for a
quarter as until the change that
morning made a difference both in his
purse and in his temper. He was an
cry and discouraged. He swung his
passed him. The car company would
mt get any nickel out of him that
night-not If he knew it,
Dark came early, and the street
lamps were aflare in the little suburb
where he lived in a small cottage with
his wife and four babies, the eldest not
eight. Tramping up the walk, the cost
of living renewed its grip on him-the
struggle seemed against him. Now
there was Jones-he was passing
Jones's trim little house-he had some
sort of luck House paid for, a job
as foreman with better pay and little
work. The Joneses had dinner instead
of supper. and the eldest daughter,
Elvie, had quit working down town.
Rose told him that young Peters, son
of Peters the big contractor, was "go-
ing with the girl. And Jones had not
and was of doubtful promptness in bill
paying.
As he came up to his own back
door, it opened, and Rose, with the
children at her skirts met him. He
was silent and rather gruff. He brush
ed them aside, took off his cap and
coat and vest, and began splashing
at the sink.
I'm starved" he ventured from the
roller towel at length
''Everything's on the table, an
swered his wife quietly.
She knew the mans moods and re-
spected them. The day had not been
easy for her. The children had been
talking turkey constantly. and three
of them needed shoes. Also the long
suffering doctor had sent in his bill.
She didn't know how to speak of these
things. The little family sat down
and ate the plain, well-cooked food;
the children were sleepy enough to be
quiet.
you're more'n an hour late. Sam.
Working overtime ?"
mo such luck. Even an hours ex-
ira work would count. 1 walked
home. See the papers? Car fare, like
Only five rides for a quarter. can't
afford luxuries." He broke a baked
potato for Johnny, dabbled it with
gravy and resumed his eating. Rose
wondered what more they could pos
sibly do without! It was her business
to make ends meet-tfus far she had
done it. But the string wouldn't bear
further stretching.
Sam spoke like an answer-they
often thought in unison.
I'VE quit on butter and real milk
we have mighty little meat We never
go to a show. We barely keep the kid
let's in school and Sunday school. You
may have to give up your furs and dia-
monds Rose" He laughed a little,
but the woman did mott was not her
way. She was waiting for some word
of practical comfort. And she did not
say that Mrs. Jones, brisk and over
dressed for her station, had descended
upon her for a call that afternoon.
Elvie had a new pink dancing dress
and young Peters was going to take
her to a dance the next night.
After the children had duly chatter
ed and had been washed and put TO
bed, husband and wife returned to the
Kitchen, which was also dining and liv-
ing room. She cleared up the table,
and while she washed the dishes Sam
poured over his account book. his brow
in a scowl, his pipe unlighted. He was
going to give up tobacco. He was glad
Rose did not know he took his dinner
bucket away and ate by himself, sensi-
tive about the plainness Of his fare
The ether men must think him a
OlHGES dtG uAOIlCs LACJ
might not have noticed. Jim Farney,
for instance-he was glad he was not
Jim, who had five children, one Grip
| pie, and a half-sick wife whose house,
keeping. even when she was well, was
q scandal. Well, ends had to meet
somcway.
Then Rose got her mending, and
| looking up, he met her patient glance.
She gave him a little tired smile-it
was Monday and she had washed
without help. Then he went on figur-
| ing and she wondered just what they
would have for dinner on Christmas.
| The children must not be disappointed.
but turkey. or even chicken was out OF
| the question. Could she manage mince
| pie and oranges and some real milk ?
| Then she slipped off to answer the call
of the baby, covered the other children
more warmly, and went to bed herself.
Tuesday dawned bleak, and passed
| into night, still bleak and cherries.
Sam was again late-for again he
walked home. The little ones, warned
| turkey subject. and were put early to
bed.
But on the day before Christmas,
| husband and wife had little talk,
planning carefully for the little feast.
Both knew that the grocer's bill must
/ be met; that the week after came a
payment on the house. They could not
! afford debts, and therefore no extras.
Besides. there was the matter Of the
| shoes and the winter Undertaking.
Rose mentioned these so anxiousiy
that her husband broke out in a sort
| Of anger.
well, girl, don't be afraid of me. I
know we have to have things! Wen
manage somehow-don't worryP"
But he worried, and knew that she
did. They rose, and be lit the fires
and helped the children dress. A sort
of gloom hung over the breakfast
table, and suddenly Johnny exploded in