Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-01

IF none of you employ your allow
ances to the purchase Of food, cloth
ing, or the necessities Of food, cloth
ing, or the necessities Of life, which
are otherwise provided by your father
l see no legitimate reason for any al
lowances at all"
There was a chorus of cries from
the three Brookes.
Nevertheless, he continued, 81 am
not disposed to be harsh; merely just
| am not here to tear down or destroy;
simply to recognize and regulate
While l feel that even reduction OF
fifty per cent in your allowances does
not fully meet this extraordinary sit
uation. I shall not press the matter
further at this time. Miss Brooke and
Mr.. Brooke, you will hereafter receive
1888 per day each. Alice, you will be
paid 1856. All payments will be made
daily, at eight-thirty o'clock in the
morning in this office, and vouchers
will be duly signed by each person re-
ceiving the same
! Constance was turned into stony
image. Alice was trembling, with a
telltale culver of her lips Billy storm.
ed.
I'VE won't stand for it," he cried,
shaking his fist across the desk
Whereupon the efficiency man asked
famous question:
What are you going to do about
lit?"
Fight"
very good. Howl
"Why-why, simpuly refuse to put
!! up with it,"
! "You mean rather than accept less
than two hundred dollars a month you
will take nothing? Is that it,
Billy hesitated and felt Constance
pulling at his sleeve.
Because" added Hedge, III that is
the case, shall be greatly gratif1ed
I really cannot see why you children
need any money at all. living as you
do and being fully provided for. II you
refuse to accept reduced gratulty II
will mean, of course. that shall save
q hundred instead of fifty per cent, on
this item of household waste. should
be glad to make such a saving. Are
you with me or against me?'
Against you!"
\ 1t was the shrill and quivering voice
of Alice that cried out.
The efficiency man sighed.
Very WE'LL" he said. Cali allowances
are reduced by one-half, to 60 into ef'
feet without further notice.
Constance rallied from her stupor.
I'VE accept this humiliation" she
said bitterly, because, until our
father returns we can do nothing else.
We are helpless. You have insulted US
by calling 1t gratuity. We are not
beggars-but we are again helpless.
But we demand that our allowances,
or such part Of them as you see fit to
pay, shall be given to US in the regular
manner, in lump sum monthly"
"a month in advance?" said the eff
cheney man. elevating his eyebrows.
"Why? Do you spend it all the first
day."
"Of course not. But that does not
alter our right to receive it all at
once
TOO much temptation" said Hedge
shaking his Head Besides, it's not
economic. Perhaps you do not know it.
but many banks pay interest on daily
balances. This Is the case with the
bank in which you father left an ac'
count for this HOUSEHOLD. That account
is under my sole charge. BY paying
the three of you $3.50 month in ad-
vance, an appreciate amount of inter
est will be lost Paying you 1892 per
day, the remainder Of considerable
sum. reduced, of course. by daily
drafts, remains at interest. That is the
policy that shall follow. You will be
paid in checks, each morning"
This said Constance, stonily, sis
the GROWING outrage"
I'm sorry you look at it that way.
Miss Brooke. 1t is simply good bust
ness. However, I'm willing to put 1t
this way If you object to daily
check will make weekly payments,
at the end, however, rather than the
beginning OF the week. If you accept
this arrangement. the first payment
will be made week from today"
Constance wavered. She had $2.79
left. Perhaps for a week she could
stand It, But Billy and Alice were to
be thought of. They were destitute.
No; the pride Of the Brooke family
would have to grovel before this
creature. 1t was the daily wage, or
bankruptcy.
"We wish to talk it over" she said.
Certainly" assented Hedge.
(To be continued.)