Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-11

Gent sum to meet the needs of any
young girl in moderate circumstances
And that was why May was so often
trinkets and articles of wear that she
coveted, and felt out of sorts over not
being able to crafty her over-extra.
VACANT taste. And she disliked sewing
and mending, mending especially was
Idistasteful to her.
One evening May came from school
| in an unhappy frame OF mind. Her
mother, quick to note the mood Of her
daughter, asked what the trouble was
l"Oh," said May, pettishly. ."Ill have
to wear my old frock at the concert to-
morrow night. And Stella and Hester
both have new ones. Papa gives me
such a small allowance that I can't
dress like the other girls
! Mrs. Jackson sat down beside May
on the couch. Dear, let's see just
how you have been spending your last
months allowance" she said run
get your book I want to 60 over it
with you"
had been strictly honest in keeping her
accounts, never missing penny. II
she bought lead pencil or an apple
on her way to school she jotted it
down in her pocket day-book. And at
night, before going to bed, she would
set it down in her ledger of Expenses
for the week."
Now, let's run over your account"
said. Mrs. Jackson, when May re-
turned with her ledger. Then, pencil
in hand, Mrs. Jackson ran over the
many small items. why. daughter,
/ see here a good many dimes spent
for hot chocolate, ice cream, nuts, con-
fections, fruit, popcorn, etc. Let me
add up the amount that you have spent
for those misunderstanding articles
And pretty soon Mrs. Jackson had
1920 staring into Mays face. ''Two
weeks money spent in those things"
informed Mrs. Jackson, "And for the
two weeks the same amount
doubtless. And that is why my
daughter cannot have new frock.
Every week she spends her dimes and
quarters for trifles and when the
month has been summed up most OF
the allowance has been really squan-
dered in things that are not useful,
but really harmful in many ways"
Just at this point the doorbell rang,
and May ran to answer 1t. She found
Hester Porter and Stella Bryant there.
After May had seated them in the par
lor and had called out to her mother
that her dear friends we're calling.
Mrs. Jackson joined them, ledger in
hand. After cordial greetings she said:
I've just been going over Mays little
accounts this morning and |.
think l have an extravagant little girl
in small matters, you
Most of her allowance she
really wastes in mere trifles and then
when she feels in need of something
really worth while, her bank account
will not afford it." Hester and Stella
were interested at once. "Oh,' cried
Hester. docs May have an allowance?
Isn't that just perfectly lovely! I've
asked papa time and again to make me
IN allowance-if ever so small but
le says I'd not know how to use it ju.
liciously. So am obliged to go to him
Or to mamma for ever nickel l spend
And" she added with an arch smile,
they insist on knowing just what I
want to do with the money. Papa says
economy practiced in youth is followed
throughout ones life and he won't hear
If my spending money recklessly-
throwing it away as he expresses 1t"
That's my experience" said Stella
Mamma has her allowance. in which
am included But mamma always
does the buying for me. Just last week
asked for new frock for the con-
cert tomorrow-at which I am to play
l violin solo-and mamma said she
couldn't afford it. But" and Stella
ooked most happy-"she is having a
perfectly lovely frock made for me out
# her old white crepe-the one that
vas trimmed with bands OF white
satin, Mrs. Jackson. You remember it,
lon't you? Mamma always looked so
sweet in IT,
ooh, remember it very WELL" said
Mrs. Jackson. 1T will make pretty
md artistic frock for you, dear. But it
seems pity that your dear mamma
|hould have to sacrifice such a be-
coming gown for she looked lovely In
t."
ooh, papa gave her new one on her
deep gray satin. So got
he white crepe. And it's just like new,
'ou know"
Mrs. Jackson glanced knowingly at
Nay. May colored slightly. She began
O understand something.
After the young callers had made a
hort visit Stella suddenly remarked:
I really must be going now for I'm
lelping mamma and the seamstress
N my frock. I'm doing all the finishing
# seams and putting on hooks and !
yes. Mamma insists that I cannot !
earn younger, and just love to help
make my own clothes. feel that I'm
.arning something by saving some
hing" And Stella laughed brightly.
81 rather enjoy sewing, too" re-
marked Hester, buttoning her Jacket,
to going.
Then adieus were spoken and Stella
nd Hester took their leave Once more
lone with her daughter, Mrs. Jackson
ook up bit Of sewing, saying not a
word about Mays ledger or Of the late
with Stella and Hester
she waited till May spoke.
AVID Nov woo worry cilorf onH