Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-01
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10 HEu b MISS ISSNN1egE/FA
~ ~ LIZZIE THOMAS Gslg1

she had Just finished her dinner and
was getting out the change to give
the cashier a little later. Thirty-ive
cents was on the ticket and her COM
nanfon. whose dinner had cost quar-
ter. said: I thought you said that you
meanC TO pay fifty cents for your din
ner when your salary reached sac
week
She laughed. began pulling on her
gloves and answered with a question.
DO you have any more at the end OF
the month than you did three years
ago. Not as much" was the reply.
NO. and when Christmas comes you
and I will feel three months behind
hand and will haze 20 put our presents
together TO make a decent showing.
Neither one OF US have any time to
work out the ideas that tempt us in
The magazines There are some who
NOV we get good salaries and will
expect al lsorts OF handsome things.
it's to send as simple things as 1 did
last year or go in debt and that is not
NY way Of living
.Pshaw." was the answer. Il have no
idea that I can do as well as / did last
year. I get more money but the agent
in Alabama has just sent mother a bill
for repairs that just exactly takes the
extra money. I am not grumbling, 1
am thankful that there was money to
pay the bfn; il il had come last year
I certainly would have been dis
tressed-"l
10 you remember that card that
some one sent Julia. the one you
framed and made her hang over her
deskg believe IL said The worst
bridges 1 ever crossed were the one
never got to Well we will not cross
our Christmas bridge until IT really
gets time for It"
They picked up their checks to pay
he cashier and with a nod to me were
gone.
was waiting for Mamie and whiled
away the time By counting the bust
ness women in that dining room who
nad the cares and responsibility OF
others on their shoulders. Ten came
and went who were buying homes.
Some had sisters or brothers az home,
some had parents whose heads were
covered with dust from life's way
side some had orphan nieces and
nephews 20 support. Mamie had
phoned me that she might be late. she
had 70 wait on the bookkeeper's W
surn and in the midst OF my mentally
taking census a trim looking woman
took seat by me and said. You seem
waiting for some enc and We viii visit
while 1 wait for Nellie"
II was only the second time I had
ever seen her. but remembered her
voice for there was hardly week while
/ was at the Young Women's Christian
association that we had not had occa-
sion TO talk over the phone. She has a
me position and has held It for years.
] told her what I had been doing and
she said. Count me in have just
finished educating my sister. She now
has her first position
Il hope that she appreciates il more
thsp some Of the younger brothers and
sisters that 1 hear Of" was my remark.
Not a bit more. These younger
brothers and sisters seem to think that
:. nothing more than what we make
our money for. I've worked ten years
sd I haven't a dollar put up. unless
you count that girls education as an
asset She dos rot consider herself
under the least obligation TO pay me
hack. or even hold her place. She does
not get much though it's more than my
position paid me when I commenced.
but every cent goes for dress and en-
foyuent Last week I asked her for
money 10 pay for her own washing and
she assumed an air OF grieved surprise
and said. But never have had to pay
for my washing. Just the same I con-
tinued to ~hoId out my hand and she
verx reluctantly handed me fifty cents.
y heard her tell her chum that I made
her give me fifty, cents and she couldn't
buy the matinee tickets they had count
ed on I felt like a robber. but I in
tend to keep right behind her and let
her realize that she is now self-support-
ing. and must pay some on the family
expenses"
When Mamie came I said nothing to
Of any NJ rnnzs4 Conversations for Il
knew that her burden was worse than
any Of the three She had just finished
her sisters education and had a nice
position for her. After three months
IN the office Anne walked off one Sun
day and married a ne-er-do-weIl. Her
mother was heart broken and after
few weeks Mamie was persuaded to
"a them come home and Anne keep
Mouse for all OF them. The mother
had plead with Anne not to marry that
man She was worth a better fate. and
three weeks after returning TO the home
folks her husband quit work He sat
around home. went 10 town when he
wanted 10 and ruled things with a
high hand Six months after his mar
rage quick consumption developed and
today Anne is a widow with a little
daughter 70 support and all sorts Of
+ debts-his only legacy. She has gone
Aa@h - MNAh anu AAAG 11-1- - ~@ANN A~-
b. the grandmother.
do his people never help herr" They
were only too glad to get MIN out OF
their way, and washed their hands OF
him when he married
These little stories OF real life I tell
you 50 that you may see that many a
business woman who seems to be max
ing money hand over fist" as I near IL
expressed, really has burdens heavier
than your own
was going across the street late one
evening last week, and a girl overlook
me. She said. Il have been working
uptown long enough TO be brave; but
20 this day I almost have a chill the
last days OF the month because I must
stay until about O'Clock TO get ahead
with the bills that must be sent out on
the firsf OF the month. II 1 ever have
a chance to stay al home you won't
see much OF me uptown 7 would like
10 say good-by to that Office and never
y see in one again
know that she had beaux galore.