The Detroit times., 1917-12-17


astonished mot by q darn sight
The idea Of spending $40 on dishes
Is outrageous
eve need them said his wife
cropping the letter he had iusi
brought from iho posionice. Your
'olks write that they intend "a
spend your fathers anniversary with
ls three months frOm now. lt even
hall nf them CCme couldn't make
9ut with The few things we have.
Nonsense let EN- all Come~-the
more the merrier-and use what
dishes there is"
"Nine plates. mostly cracked. and
Elk cups. with handles broken in.
reinforced Mrs. smith dismsly Not
enough oi anything 70 set a table
Tor q . persons"
well" said Smith sharply "let
some of em wait It WON'T hurt 'em
any. Resides that's the way people
managed when was q kid I'm
buying up q lot of cattle and need
The money myself lie got up in a
rage and slrode Out Lost in un
pleasant thought his wife sat for a
long time silent and very sad. Smit
was. a good citizen. prompt 70 pay
debts or taxes, but penurious 60 a
degree Mrs smith was a teacher
when Smith married her and knew
now 20 economize But the economy
Of her poorest girlhood days faded
into insigniacance compared with
what she learned after marriage
There was never any money for ftef
to spend II was save and buy cat
tie, OF more land, but not a penny
for clothing or household things.
Her clothes were made over and
over until her appearance was &C.
tually shabby. Once she had ven.
tured 10 hint her needs 20 her hus-
band The subject was shoes Re
turning one day from the village
he brought in a great parcel. saying
proudly Leather & Pegs always
have lot OF odds and ends in shoes
which, being out OF date. are sold
for song I've bought "A whole box.
Here's enough 20 last q lifetime -
Mrs. Smith said nothing. but did the
best she could with them
Ia a country town like Wood End
what one individual does Is soon
common knowledge, and Smith.
openly bOasting about the bargain
be got al Leather q Piggs. the story
OF his wife's shoes became a stand
ing joke. But not % Mrs. Smith.
II was a sore subject with her, and
she never again bgoached the matter
OF clothes 10 him. Worn and turned
and daTned. her modest trousseau
still covered. IL IL did not clothe,
her.
Today something had seemed 20
snap within her as she thought OF
her selfinvlted guests and Of what
would naturally be expected Of her.
She felt rebelllous. The dishes were
necessity. The guests were rela-
lives OF her husband. and she want
ed TO do them honor Almost she
determined 20 buy the dishes any
way and take the consequences.
gtfII she hesitated 20 do this; II
would seem almost like defying her
husband, for aften 10 years Of mar
lied life his word was the law She
his ScrImping Smith had inherited
a good farm 10 start with and had
accumulated much money besides.
40 children had been born 20 them
There was no reason why they
should not have the ordinary com
forts OF nfa. From the misty past
came trooping back the half forgot
ten dreams OF youth. Illusion was
gone. and reality stalked grim anc
unyleIding beside her Mrs. Smith
leaned her head on the table 70 hide
her tears. II was well that she did,
for the door few open and in came
her friend. Mrs. Bates, the genial
hostess Of the village hotel.
"rm so vexed." painted Mrs Bates
sinking into a chair I've just
seen Brown. and she can't wash for
me for several weeks being laid
up with rheumatism Just my luck.
too. I've a houscful Of guests and
no clear clothes Brown If the only
woman In the place that washes for
the public ] don't know what to
do"
"Do??" aueried Mrs Smith. Send
the wash TO me III help sou out
until Brown gets around again"
"Heavcnsl" squealed Mrs Bates,
"and have Smith take my scalp
"Mum's the word" replied Mr.
Smith. hurriedly "Ie mustn't know
IL. Every evening from 10 Z
4.-A4.- tL4- -L-.-I. f1nAlL--
cattle. Deliver tho wash ar the east
door. Tho barns are on the west
side OF the house and he won't see
us"
If YOU really mean IL. hesitated
the amazed Mrs Bates
4 really do" interrupted Mrs
Smith.
Il furnish soap, starch, hluing. and
pay 81 for the work"
tits a bargain"
"And a load od my mind" said
Mrs. Bates. slowly, "1ut I'm afraid"
"Nothing 10 be afraid oi remarked
Mrs. Smith bfiskly. "I1 eet the
water on to heat. and right after
supper. when John Is in bed Ill Go
the work"
Mrs Bates reflected Then she
turned 20 20. "It's dear of YOU to
oblige me-" said She "lli send Il
along"
II was smlth's habit 80 retire ear
~. and ho did 30 on this occasion,
............. Il.