Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-19


and she seemed delighted with the prosperity In
which they lived
They are spending far far too much money" she
said. John does make large income. but nothing
like enough 70 warrant their expense. was simply
scared the awful waste all along the line.
Mary's clothes-so many Of them and 90 COSTLY The
rugs the silver the unnecessary servants the food
oh. the food The whole thing got 80 on my nerves
that could not wait 10 come home II just spoiled
my visit"
but don't you think you Just imagined II was all
too costy7 May not your son have more money than
you realize and wish TO live In that styleG
'Ah that's the troubled" Mrs. Carson retortel
One night Mary out and John and had long,
long talk In his study; we sat close UP 10 the fire
and visited have not had chance 20 since he
was boy and we two lived here alone. Mother,
he said ITS good 10 you love your plain black
dress; and your hair lie nice and smooth-t looks
good TO me- And love 10 have you refuse TO eat
sweetbreads and fancy salads ana 20 want TO make
your bed and dust the pariors hate all this
fuss myself ia like to 80 back and be simple and
sensible again. just you and used 10 be in the
old house at home And he sighed so that Just
ached all over.
Tell me all about It. John. said: tell
everything I've waited for years TO have real visit
with you-you know this is the first time I've been
west since he married-'and want you TO be
Just and frank with me as when you were a
boy And he ala tell me-" She stopped and looked
out Of the window and the lines in her face deepened
when Mary married him they had rather a small
income. Mary had been only child and accustomed
TO far more. but she In love and did not mind
doing without things at first. But gradually. az he
had made more money, she had Increased their ex-
penditures way ahead Of what they should have
spent They not only had never saved anything. but
che had bills that he did not see how he was
20 pay. He out trying to get more
and more money that he was almost ready TO lie
down and die. When he said that-he Just whispered
II with his head in his hands-I thought my heart
would break
a. But why do you not talk II with Maryr
asked She loves you. and Of course she would cut
down expenses and live simply
ftafah ootr bta head JOf ON
ago perhaps she could and would have Done II. bat
that time has gone by. have told her that can
not afford this scale of living. but not make
impression her. Or. II do, and she promises to
do better. presently everything is Just II be-
fore No. I can't change anything myself. But I've
been wondering. mother II perhaps you could do r.
Do you think II you had talk with Mary It would
help mattersr
'weli you lima CINE how felt Mary has no
mother. and believe she loves me. She has always
been affectonate. and while was with them she did
everything she could TO give a lovely tiAne. But
ought to interfere In what, after ALL was not
own affair." Would not do more harm than good!
:" I must not meddle, said. Mary would resent
II, and you would unconscousiy feel that he'd made
matters worse instead Of better
ESQ Just back home again and said
a word. DO you think did rght7 What would you
have done7
gust what you did, / think" said IT don't
believe daughter-n-law takes suggestions very
readily from her mother-in-aw even n they love
each other; the implied criticism Is pretty to DO
resented But could you not have advised your
to take step which would have helped mattersH''
IT did do that John I said. put your foot downi
Tell Mary that your household expenses must be
limited to exactly so much year and more. Get
her to set down in black and white what you pay for
servants and food and clothing and entertaining and
add II she will probably be appalled, at the total
Then insist that some OF the servants must go; and
give her dress allowance and make her agree to
live within t. II worst comes 10 worst. move into
smaller house or take apartment. even board
at hotel Take things in own hands Don't
let her run away with everythingi Can't you stop
this expenditure " really determined about tf'
what did he say7"
'He shook his head, Mother he said in that do
sparing way that almost makes cry to think about
II. I've done all those things except move. Mary
won't move, and doubt II II would help things II
she would for apartments and hotels. such she
would insist frightfully costly. She has prem
ised TO do better time after time but nothing lasts
She 10 all that Ia sweet and attractive. and I'm IN
love with her just I when were married.
But she Is spoiled child. I'm afraid. and nothing
will make her into wise, economical
housewife Il simply isn't in her."
Then. you see.' said 'your talking to her would
have done good. I'm rather glad you did not
try It."
i've been wondering whether I might write It all
TO her. and beg her to forgive II told her that
had found John looking old and that
feared he was worrying his business. and
thought II she realized that he was. she might help
him 20 make things easier. Do you think that would
do any goodG
mo. I'm afraid gentle measures will not help
things. The cause lies too deep. You will have TO
wait Nothing in this world will help a situation like
that but trouble and I'm afraid it's bound to II
Mary has at heart kernel OF real sound woman
hood. adversely may develop H. and they may start
life again a better basis
And poor John must lose all his money and 10
through bankruptcy and all that?"
II hope It won't be as bad all that But anyway
loss OF money isn't the worst thing in the world
And other things may step in to help. too They
no chdreng"
NO and it's pity"
We'll. children may come TO train Mary, or
II not then some other experience will step in and
do II. Trust Providence for finding WAYS 20 train
US n only we worth the trouble. And John and
Mary worth H. SO don't be too down
hearted. life isn't for them yet and won't be
for many years. And when you hear that they are
In difficulties. be and not grisve. that win DO
the beginning OF better things for them''-