Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-01
She Changed Her Mind


!
'"This is fortunate" said the woman
from Austin as she slid into a seat on
1 the train next her unmarried friend
from Oak Park. Several times this
morning was on the point OF phoning
you to see whether you would so
1 downtown with me. This is fine. You
must have lunch with me, and
then"
Il don't believe cam" said the UNI
married friend. I'm awfully rushed
today and shopping is out of the ques.
\ ton. I'm going to make exactly two
1 purchases" She paused, smiled and
added. Most important ones, however.
Saturday will be my brother Toms
birthday"
And you're going to buy him q
1 present. said the Austin woman. "Of
7 all the condolences. Why, Sunday
will be Jim's birthday. That's one
thing I'm going to do today, too-look
up birthday gift. Not exactly that.
either" she corrected, because |
know what I'm going to buy. It's mere
ly that I'm undecided about the up
h0lstery.
you see" she explained, I'm going
to give Jim a chair to take the place
OF that horrid old leather covered
Morris thing in the sun parlor. 1t is an
eyesore to me-
And yet Jim looks so comfortable
in it, ventured the friend from Oak
Park, with his pipe and his evening
paper. He can sprawl in it beautiful
ly"
Jim will be quite as comfortable
in the new one.' interrupted the wom-
an from Austin, when he becomes &C
Customed 10 it, Oh, | wish you might
see the chair | link shall buy. Us
dear. 1t has ole OF the new, strait, bit
cane backs, with the most Wonderful
lines. II Is an Adam, you know, and
sos our davenport. There is nothing
like harmony in one'S furniture. Then
this chair has the sweetest, quaintest
attachment for a sewing board. that
you pull around in front OF you. I'm
just crazy about it."
Did you say Sunday would be Jim's
birthday or yours" demanded her
friend.
Il said Jim's." snapped the other
woman. And suppose you mean to
insinuate because | want ID buy some
thing really artistic for the house yet
useful to both Jim and me, you think
I'm selfish. don't your
'Oh. no, indeed coolly returned
her friend. But | wish you'd 1T me
know when jim is to have his first
smoke in the straight back chair. |
want to be there."
"Of course you don't understand"
said the Austin woman, but purely
individual gifts between husband and
wife are--foolish.'
I'D never think you thought So
smiled the Oak Park friend. Then,
Strengthening, she added My, we're
across the river"
We'll what are you going to buy
for TOM" demanded the Austin wom'
an.
Tom? A fishing reel and tackle
box He'll be tickled. He's dying for
new ones, but, you know, there's so
many demands nowadays that be
hates to spend money on himself
"Oh, he hasn't anything over Jim In
that respect" said the Austin woman
tartly.
The unmarried friend from Oak
Park smiled as she rose. Here's my
street" she said smoothly.
I'm going to get OFF here, too" an.
nounced the Austin woman. Il sup
pose there's hardware department
where you're going to buy those
things for Tom?" And as they reached
the street level she added Il never
< knew it to fail. You always have your
own way where Pm concerned Well,
I'll tell you one thing you'll just
come with me while buy perfectly
thrilling gift for JIM
"Yes?'
please do! You're spelling all my
plans again. My mind was all set on
a dream OF a period chair and now I'm
slipping toward a--lavn mower! Now
stop your laughing, or I'll slip back
again.
ANYWAY" she continued, her
mouth beginning to relax, ut will be
great to watch Jim when he first sets
hin eyes on new lawn mower. Only
the other day he was wishing to good
ness that he could afford a new one.
Our lawn is his hobby, you know"
And 1t must be heavenly to drop
into the old Morris aiterward,' added
the unmarried one.
Il wouldn't wonder" agreed the
woman from Austin.