The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-15
EVENING CHAT
BY RUTH CAMERON

There, here's all the money owe you
at last" said sister.
Big brother held out his hand for the
bills Let me see, how much was it,
six dollars, wasn't it?" said sister.
Big brother started to speak, then
thought better of it and merely looked
Now, what's the matter" said sister.
answering the look, did you think it was
more?"
well by my reckoning, 1t was seven
fifty" said big brother, but it doesn'
make any difference
yes, it does" cried sister warmly.
But I don't think you're right, Bob.
Don't you remember I borrowed five dol
lars. and then 1 paid for your share of
auntie's present, and then one day you
let me have four more, and then paid
for the express on all the packages for
you?"
L thought I paid you for that express, -
expostulated Bob.
No, you started to. and then you said
you'd let that go towards what 1 owed
you"
did II" said Bob. "An right then, we
won say anything more about 1t.
A woman convinced against her will Is
of the same opinion still. Incidentally, so
is a man. And although Bob's words
were all that could be desired, he looked
the most uncOnvinced man that ever hap
pened, and sister naturally refused to let
the matter drop there
In the end, after a half hours arguing,
Bob had his way, and took only the six
dollars. Outwardly, he assured sister that
she was doubtless right. Inwardly he felt
convinced that she was not And sister,
knowing just how he felt smarted under
the injustice of being sure that she had
paid her just debts, and being equally
sure that Bob believed she had not.
All of which l have set down mere. be-
cause it is so typical of the financial en-
tanglements into which the average lam
wen what of it?' perhaps you say.
Whats dollar and a half between
brother and sister,
All. my friends. it wasn't the dollar and
a half that mattered, or that ever mat
tiers. 1t isn't the money at all that
counts, but the feeling of resentment and
injustice that the trouble money may
This big brother as happen to know
would gladly have given sister five or ten
dollars outright. and often did 1t was
the knowledge that she didn't believe he
was giving it to her that irritated him.
And on her side. it was the feeling that
she was really paying all her just debts
and that her brother thought he was ex-
cusing her from some of them, that both
cred her.
ment which these two felt lasted any
time at all. or that the disturbed feelings
arising from these financial misunder-
standings very often do endure only it is
SO foolish to allow them TO disturb the
family harmony at all
How avoid it2
so evidently hadn't done-by setting down
all financial transactions in black and
white.
/ know a family of three sisters. all
wage-earners who are continually lending
and borrowing among themselves in times
Of financial stringency or prosperity
But they never have the least trouble
a bout such things. because they have
made it a fixed rule that both the Dor
rover and the lender shall keep written
account of the transaction.
OF course, you trust those whom you
live with and love; of course. you
wouldn't mind lending a little money to
them and not getting it back. of course
YOU wouldn't be vulgar as to fight
4 bout money matters anyway know ali
hat but why not avoid the slightest pos
sjbility of misunderstanding by business /
ike methods in money matters, even be
tween house-mates?
/ really think it pays