The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-23
"Mr. and Mrs. Economy Lunch Together and Talk
 High Cost of Living
High of Living Verified Fully When the Husband Does the Ordering-Aghast at His Extravagant Menu-No Wonder She Has Nothing Left for 'Gew Claws" and Pretty Things-Epsode That Brought Out Many
 Points Hitherto Unknown by Her.
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE

any pretty things like other women and grew-gaws and dainty feminine touches l like my friends
 MIR. ECONoMY-"My dear. you don't HAVE 10 take a drink. l merely asked you WOULD you take one?''
 MRS. ECONOMY-"You spoke as if youl were in the habit of taking them every day. I don't need an appetizer. My ap- petite is too big now, for the price ot things"
 | MIR. ECONOMY-"Let's look over the Menu then and see what you'd like to eat. There's"
 MRS. ECoNCMY-"I haven't made up my mind yet. Let me see what things cost" l MIR. ECONOMY-"what do you say to nice steak with mushrooms. You are so fond of them?"
 MRS. ECONCMY-"Why, John Henry Morris, am surprised at you? Do you know what steak costs a pound? It's outrageous to talk about having a steak for just two people for lunch. Now, if | 1t was dinner, and tho children were here, it would be different. As for mush- rooms-why that's preposterousl If that's what you eat for lunch every day you are one of the people who is responsible for running up the price of things. The , idea of encouraging the Meat Trust by eating steak for lunch! The children and l have a bread and butter sandwich and cup of Cocoa. Sometimes we don't have--butter."
 MIR. ECONOMY-"Why my dear wife, am distressed to hear that you have been starving yourself 10 death! l never dreamed that you stinted yourself and the children like that It's true that the Cost of Living is something terrific. but surely I am man enough to buy food for my family three times day"
 MRS. ECONOMY-"A pretty way to | talk when you growl and snap like a mad dog at the end of the mouth when the | bills come in. Why, if 1 had steak and mushrooms for lunch and a DRINK every | day l couldn't 1.-Two in the same house with you when you got the bills. But then that's tho way, No matter what a woman does to help her husband along it's never appreciated. She might as well go ahead and enjoy herself. He'll spend the money anyway | MIR. ECONOMY-"Wel let's forget it fo,. today and go on and order something | to eat. How would nice salad suit you?"
 l MRS. "Salad--with Toma- toes at 50 cents g. dozen and lettuce at 15 cents a head. Why, I am surprised! We haven't had tomato in the house since last summer"
 | MIR. ECONOMY--"Well, please eat some today, just for change, won't you2 Now. hurry up. The waiter is growing | impatient"
 MRS. ECONOMY" are you worry ing about the waiter? Has he anything on you2
 MIR. ECONOMY-"Lord-n But hate to be made a spectacle of. l hate for you to worry so over things. Now, what
 will you have to eat? How would a Club Sandwich do?"
 MRS. ECoNoMY-"J as if dldn' get enough sandwiches to eat during the week. I'm sick and tired of economz- ing, anyway. It's the men who are re-
 sponsible for the High Cost of Living. They won't eat simple things. It takes
 a woman to starve and stint herself,
 and what for? Just to let a man spend l it all on himself. Yes, Jack, I'll take a steak with Mushrooms. and a Salad, too,
 and anything else that you may happen
 10 see on the Menu. If you can afford
 to eat here every day, you can certainly | afford 10 give me nice luncheon nov
 and then. Next time I come I'm going to bring all the children and let them see where their father eats and WHAT he | eats.?'
 | MR. ECONOMY (writing)-"One steak | with Mushrooms. Asparagus a La Hol- 1 landaise, Potatoes Au Gratin, Lettuce | and Tomato Salad with French Dressing and Roquefort Cheese" MRS. ECONOMY-"And I'll take a Dry | Martini for nline."