Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-14
"A STORY FOR SPARE MOMENTS
Building Up the CupifaI

DATlENCE MARSH was busy. in her
dainty blue and white kitchen. putting |
the finishing touches to the gala dinner that |
was to celebrate their freedom from debt.
Little Mildred, just turned ave, stood in
the window looking down the half-mile |
stretch Of road for the first glimpse Of
Daddy"
"oh, here he comes mamma" she slee-
fully shouted
Patience hastily stepped into the dining
room. lighted the alcohol lamp under the
percolator, then united her gingham apron,
glanced in the mirror, and taking Mtldred's
hand hurried across the lawn and down the
road to meet her husband.
Gilbert Marsh tall, dignined. but worn
with manual labor embraced his wife and
daughter with unusual warmth.
But for you" he whispered tenderly'
1--WE should not be enjoying this occasion
tonight. It's fine to own your own home
IT'S modest" said Patience, looking az
the house critically. but it's ours and PAID
for. But come. our dinner will be spoiled
she opened the front door and burst
Of fragrance met them. Roses and sweet
peas were everywhere. The conee was
'perking' away merriy and In Few NM
utes they were seated at the table.
We'll" said Gilbert, surveying the tanle
laden with home delicaCics, there ls noun
ing that increases the sense Of independence
so much as what's raised on our own
patch OF ground. Here's juicy spring
chicken broiled TO turn, new potatoes
tomato salad, the sweet peas for the CENTER
piece and"
"Old Bessie gave us the cream for ice
cream" piped in Mildred.
tg
and coffee" laughingly finished Patience.
THE evening Is just cool enough to ENJOY
that log FIRE tonight" said Gilbert, leaning
back to enjoy his post-prandial smoke
What if it had been as hot as last hlgnt
I'D have had it just the same repneu
Patience, because we never 'oulu JUN
that horrid paper with encc'l\e '''''"o"S
without a log fire.
After tho dishes were cleared away ana
washed Gilbert and Mildred helping they
repaired to the living room, where inc
eventful ceremony was to take place.
Hatience brought the canceled SOW noc
from the desk and gave it TO Mildred VINO
,,as instructed to drop it into the burning
ere when her papa said: Here goes nNe
rears of toll struggle and sacrihCe, nut II
hrinps to us freedom from the burden ol
+ debt. And may our little daughter away
live i'm a home free from debt
But what does II mean H'au'''u
Mildred. -.....,
Patience as stems were heard on the piazza.
\ look of annoyance crossed her race. no"
proyoiing. Callers just at this time she
rose to answer the ring,
"why. Aunt Joan. This is hig sur
prise" .,,,,,
Aunt loan. as she removed her wraps and
seated herself comfortably in the wing chair
Gilbert offered her. Go on with the cere-
mony' ,,
patience and Gilbert exchanged startled
gIances Their unspoken thought was,
| "what does Aunt Joan know
Il was just about to explain the cere-
mony to Mildred when you came Patience
answered codly.
That's a good idea. I'd like to he IN
cluded But | know you are both wonder
ing how | came to know about TINS note.
I with the rest of your neighbors, supposed
YOU two young persons owned your niue
home. as there was no mortgage on it, we
admired your thrift. Some envied your
start The neighbors often wondered what
you did with the board money from Mr.
Jarvis but supposed you must be saving it
for a rainy day. Well, | should never have
known but for Giberts carelessness."
"Gilberts carelessness,' repeated Pa
tience in amazement, Impossible. why,
he is scrupulously careful"
80 ! thought" continued Aunt Joan un-
ruffled but when your mother was i'll you
left the house in my care. When | made
your fires on your return used some old
newspapers / found on Gilbert's desk. In
unfolding these a duplicate copy of a let
ter to Mr.. Sargent concerning this note
fell out"
II could swear I had destroyed that
duplicate" said Gilbert thoughtfully
We'll, it fell into sympathetic hands. II
was hard for me to watch you and Patience
struggle so when ] had plenty. But Mr..
Sargent and | agreed the lesson of economy
and resource you were learning was in