Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1914-02-26
THE PEOPLE BACK HOME
BY JESSIE FAkrER.

hair as she dug out section OF grape
fruit daintily.
This is nothing but cornstarch
sweetened anyway" answered her
friend. Il do hope things will be de-
cent. ordered luncheon here in the
railroad station 30 that we need waste
no part of our two precious hours
hunting a more delectable spot. Har-
rvs thoughtful business engagement
gives me chance to hear all about
this splendid good fortune of yours
and Harry's. l was so glad to hear it
Tell me how it hapuenedl"
First, how am | looking?" asked
the wife OF the new president of the
Firefy Match company.
Very lovely, indeed. Claret colored
clothes always did suit you"
Never a word about L always did
like that suit! You are a dear!"
laughed her friend. You saw it last
year. But gave 1t so little wear. And
this winter I have needed it not at all
in California That was a wonderful
trip, dear So I am wearing it back
home bravely-comforta for the
first time In five years"
at is perfect and I raved about 1t
last year. But you know | am always
expecting to see some unusual creation
when you telegraph me to meet you
on your way to Ridgewood. That town
is such dressy place that no one can
blame you. ! never go back there
! That is the way | solve the problem"
but your relatives are no longer
there" said her guest. That makes
all the difference. | have simply had
to go and see mother and dad once
year. II 1t hadn't been for you to talk
to each way for two hours | couldn't
have lived through it.
you see," she went on, I'VE began
all wrong. 1t was partly mothers
training, but she couldn't help that,
coming from the southern home as
she did, and living there in Ridgewood
We have always been paying for my
dress for Amys reception or Harry's
tuxedo for the Waltons' dinner or
something. 1t has been foolish, Of
course, for in the city we go to SO few
full dress affairs A tailored suit and
few dressy blouses could go almost
anywhere l go, so In the city l feel
overdressed in my Ridgewood ward
robe.
1.-THE first summer, when we went
home, we should have taken firm
stand, but we didn't. We had done the
best we could and were glad that sum-
mer things cost SO little Their came
that elaborate dance of the Kings at
the country club
you remember Richard King? Well,
so did Harry He had come into his
uncle's money and vas living up to it. |
To think of ne having to go to that !
dance looking less prosperous than
Ruth King did almost broke Harry's
heart. His wedding clothes were still
perfect, but | couldn't wear mine.
Mother came to the rescue She
sent me to Nine. Gerean, who made
my wedding things, with the tale that
l could find nobody her equal in the
city and had come home for her to
make my clothes. So we went to the
dance looking wonderful-our status
yelled in white chiffon.
"The minute we got home and could
do so Harry sent mother check. We
all but starved to do it, but he wouldn't |
let it go, and he declared that it should
never happen again. 1t didn't We
have managed to go back each year III
the style demanded by Ridgewood. | /
have simply hated the whole thing.
Mother has always planned far in adj
vance and has always sent us list OF
functions she expected US TO attend be-
fore we even knew that Harry could
get away They are so hospitable and
do appreciate"
1T isn't nearly so much that" broke
in her cynical friend, "as using you
Cor an excuse to outshine each other
in entertaining"
There was that side of it," admit
ted the guest, laughing.
But you talk as if 1t we're over"
said the friend
ut is. With the death of Mr. Holmes |
and Harrys election to the presidency (
and the great increase to our fortunes,
our worries are over. Not the money
side OF 1t. We have been able to stand
that part fairly we'll for two years
past It is the reputation of the thing
that has finally rescued us.
Mother sent us the nome papers
announcing Harry ascendancy.
Wealth comes to Ridgewoods son.
Harry Willet becomes president and
chief stakeholder of the Firefy Match
company The entire column was
fun. 1t was more than that--it was
emancipation. Then mother wrote us
to come for fathers birthday and not
mind getting new clothesi
so we started last night on "a
hours notice. I begged Harry TO say
that he didn't mind il l didn't have
new outfit Wear any blamed old
thing you please. he said. They know
now we can afford it, so why worryT