Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-06

why, AuCe, Qiun you go out to
lunch today?"
mo, l didn't" The stenographer
did not look up from the crocheting
"and what's more, there'll be no rest
for me Moons, nights or Sundays,
Caroline, until these table mats are
done"
Il wasn't aware that you were in
any immediate need Of table mats"
pursued the bookkeeper isn't this
rather sudden?"
They aren't for me, worse luck.
When | need household goods I'll let
you all know, never fear. These mats
are for another and they are long
overdue" The stenographer laughed
bitterly. Behold in me victim of
the habit of promising in haste to re-
pent when repentance is entirely use
less.
What"
II mean that I'm one of those un-
fortunate impulsive persons who are
always gratuitously and recklessly Of
fering to do things for people. OBJ
serve these mats. There was really
no reason why | should undertake the
manufacture of eighteen doilies, six of
each of the three sizes, you know
for person like Mrs. Corwine, but
when she told me that Mr. Corwine
had bought her beautiful mahogany
dining table l at once said without
considering the matter at all, automat-
1cally, you know, that l would make
her set of mats for 1t. She took me
up with jump and hoped I'd do the
pineapple pattern. It's the most diff
cult stitch l know.
Now she is probably wondering
when I'm ever going to get them done
The truth is that I've only just been
able to begin them, for I've been
spending every spare minute for the
last month on the border of Fren8h
knots that in moment Of alteration
promised to embroider on Gertrude
Lanes white marquisette dress. She
bought it ready made and she thought
1t looked too plain, so, of course,
suggested the French dots and when
she said that she didn't know how to
for her.
For four long weeks those knots
have haunted me. Every evening that
I've wished to read or play cards I've
been obliged to stick to the dots, and
the worst Of it is that my offer to do
them was made so casually that Ger
trude has no realization of what a
Herculean task they were. 1 wouldn't
feel SO sorry for myself as l do If
thought l were receiving proper credit
for my labors
Its the same way with these doll
les. Mrs. Corwine thinks that because
said in light and airy way that I'd
make them they're mere amusement
or pastime for me. Did you ever
know such goose as 1 am-to get
myself into doing things and to hate
myself for it? I'm one of those who
jump in where angels fear to tread"
The bookkeeper laughed and Alice,
continuing to crochet violently, con-
tinued
you ought to be thankful you
haven't the habit 1t gets one into
all sorts Of entanglements. A few
weeks ago l met some suburban
friends on the street. They appeared
SO pleased to see me that before l
really thought what l was doing l
asked them to come in town some day
and have lunch with me, and l prom
ised to let them know very soon Just
what day to come. That luncheon,
for which l can neither afford the
time nor the money and which wasn't
in the least called for, has hung on
my neck like milestone. The thought
Of it has worried and depressed me
ever since. The event comes tomor-
row, and then, after these mats are
done, I'm through! l shall not mort
gage my time, money and industry
any more. Hear my vow"
Yes, l hear it." The other young
woman assumed an accusing air. "But
what about my essay for the Young
Women's league that wanted you to
| type for me this week."
ooh, your essay-certainly I'll type
write that for you, dear | can do it
after hours just as well as not"
Caroline laughed derisively.
But that's different" protested
Alice guilty. Tipping for you is
quite different from
yes, of course it's different kiddo
| Everything is different but you You
| are just the same dear, reckless prom
User as ever, despite your hard-heart
| ed, strong-minded resolution But
anyway you can't type my essay for
| I've already hired 1t done"
| you mean thing! You know
should have loved to do it for you!"