American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-02-22

oHt itit ntfStfI tFDuSeu 10 luke dctlOn.
Things had gone too far Go to church
In her fathers coat she could not She
walked sturdily down the street toward
the "city"-ironically so called. Her
face was stony, her hands were
clenched. But finally she frightened.
Her tagging steps qulckened. She
skipped along quite cheerfully. She
turned westward as she reached the
corner Of the square, and walked along
that business street with shining eyes.
In front Of the First National bank she
paused. but after a few seconds she
passed by. On the opposite corner was
another bank. When she reached 1t,
she walked In without pausing, and the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were at the
table when Connie came home. She
exhaled quiet satisfaction from every
pore. Prudence glanced at her once.
and then looked away again. "She has
reconciled herself" she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
"Are you going to be busy this after
noon, Prudence?" she asked quietly.
1--WE are going to sew a little" said
Prudence. "Why7'
II wanted you to go downtown with
me after school,"
"Well, perhaps I can do that. Fairy
will be able 10 finish the coat alone"
"You needn't finish the coat can't
wear fathers coat to church, Pru-
dence- It's ats a-physical impos-
siblllty."
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gazed at "the baby" with
tender pity.
"Tm so sorry, dearest, but we haven't
the money TO buy one now"
"Will five dollars be enough" In
quired Connie, and she placed a crisp
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gaspedl They gazed at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle %ive-dollar bills so
recklessly.
VIII you loan me twenty dollars I'M
I'll after Christmas. CONNER" queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, "Where did you
get this money, COnniei"
81 borrowed it-from the bank" Con
ME replied with proper gravity. Il
have two years TO pay it back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired in ii low
voice, did you tell him why you want
ed it7'
Yes, l explained the whole situa-
tion."
what did he sayT'
"He said he knew Just how | felt.
because he knew he couldn't go to
church in his wife's coat.-No. | said
that myself, but he agreed with me. He
did not say very much. but he looked
sympathetic. He said he anticipated
great %pleasure.in seeing me in my new
coat at church next Sunday"
go on with your luncheon. twins, -
said Prudence sternly. You'll be late
to school. Wen see about going down
town when you get home tonight, Con
ME. Now. eat your luncheon. and
don't talk about coats any more.''
When Connie had gone back to
school. Prudence went straight to Mr..
HarOld's bank. Flushed and embar-
rassed, she explained the situation
frankly. MY sympathies are all with
Connie" she said candidly. "But | am
afraid father would not like It. We are
dead set against borrowing. After
our mother was taken. we were crowd.
ed pretty close for money. So we had
to 20 IN debt. Il tool US two years to
get It paid. Father and Fairy and
talked Il over then. and decided we
would starve rather than borrow again,
Even the twins understood ii, but Con
ME was too little. She doesn't know
how heartbreaking il is to keep hand
ing over every cent for debt. when one
is just yearning for other things. l do
wish she might have the coat, but I'm
afraid father would not like t.. She
gave me the five dollars for safekeep-
ing. and | have brought It back"
MIR, Harold shook his head. "No,
Connie must have her coat. This will
be IA good lesson for her. Il will teach
her the bitterness OF living under debt
Resides, Prudence. ! think in my heart
that she is right this time, This is a
case where borrowing Is justified. Get
her the cont. and III square the ac-
count with your father Then he
added. "And IN look after this salary
business after this. I'll arrange with
the trustees that | anu to pay your ia
Their his fun salary the first Of every
month, aud that the church receipts are
TO be turned in 10 me. And II they
do not pay up. my lawyer can do a lit
tie Investigating Little Connie earned
that five dollars, for she taught one
trustee a sorry lesson. And he will
have TO pass II on TO the others ia self
defense! Now, run along and get the
coat. and II five dollars isn't enough
you can have as much more as you