The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-09-14
Married Life,
Christmas to Helen Is Only Work and
Worry

Christmas to Helen Is Only Work and
Worry.
What did you give her last year.
demanded Warren.
"A hand-bay / think. Wait; I've the
list here Helen looked hurriedly
through the lower drawer Of the desk
and drew out small leather covered
notebook Lets see. Yes. last Christ
mas we gave your mother hand-bay
and the year before reading lamp.
Oh. I wish VIE could think of some
thing as good as those"
How about something for the table
"a piece Of cut glass"
"Oh, but glass is getting so common,
and they initiate it now so you can
hardly tell the difference
I've got it-a thermo> bottle, Moth
er always keeps a pitch of water by
her bed and that'll keep cold all night"
That's Just the thing" with a sigh
of relief Helen wrote down "thermos
bottle opposite Mrs. Curtis name.
Now for your father It's always So
hard to get anything fos- nim"
confounded Nuisance.
"How about a good umbrella"
isn't that what we gave him year
before last? Yes" consulting the
notebook, and last year a pair of
military brushes
Warren frewned thoughtfully. It's a
COMPOUNDED nuisanse. suppose we'll
have to make few gifts to the fam
lily, but outside of that there's moth
ing doing. Understand? We're going
to cut it short this Christmas. It's
hard enough to think of things for
your own folks. but FL be blamed if
We're going to rack our brains and
spend a lot of time ind money on
other people"
But as this was what Warren said
every year Helen was not alarmeu
She knew there We're presents outside
of the family that they would have
to give
Then. with sudden inspiration,
Dear. wouldn't bathrobe be Mica
for your father
Seems to me mother gave him bne
his last birthday I'd better get him
box of good cigars. He'd rather have
them than any of your frilI-fraIls. Now
that's settled. Who's nex.?"
Frank, Warren's Younger brother.
was the next on the list.
Give him the bathrobe," Warren
suggested.
"Oh, would we want to pay that
much for Franks present." ventured
Helen. Couldn't we get something
less expensive for him? Let's look
over the evening paper. They always
advertise special presents for men.
There it is on the floor by your chair
Warren handed her the paper and
she glanced through the many FULL
page Christmas ads.
Here's something-'suitable gifts
for men,, sweaters, suspenders neck
ties. bathrobes. pa jamas wallets. cuff
huf CHI
pers. wouldn't those travelling slip
pers be nice? They fold up and take
very little room.''
They'll be all right agreed War
rem. HE wears about the same size
as 1 DOL
A Difficult Task
Now what shall we get for Car
rie.'' as she wrote down the travelling
slippers for Frank
For over year there had been a
slight feeling between Helen and War
ren's married sister. which made the
selection of her present even more diff
ffcult.
Youth have to think of something
for her. I don't know what women
want" as Warren reached for his
magazine.
'Oh, no, no, dear, you must help me-
Carrie is so particular. and so critical.
1 always dread getting her anything"
Warren shrugged his shoulders
Subscribe for maazine. that's good
safe present"
ooh. but that isn't enough for her. l
thought we ought to put at least seven
or eight dollars in her present, or she'll
think I wouldn't let y,.-s get anything
good. She always thinks I'm mercen-
ary'
Nonsense. you only imagine that
Carries all right. IT'S you who are SO
stiff and stand-offish with her No
wonder she lets you alone"
why she doesn't let me alone anv
more than let her alone" bristled
Helen Indignantly. she called here
one Sunday evening and she's had sup
per here. don't see that she's letting
me alone as you express IT."
There you ge-flying off the handle
every time Carries name is mentioned
You're always auarres.ng with her
about something"
why, Warren, you know I never
quarreIed with her In my life,t more
Indignantly.
Airing Grievance
oh. well, you've got some sort of
you get a chance"
Helen flushed. but she picked up the
paper again and said quietly:
Lets look through here and see II
we can't find something for her. She
drew her low chair closer to warren,s
and adjusted the drop light so that
he might look over her shoulder.
Suppose You want to give her some
thing tbat'li make a show" with a
cynical shrug.
.'I don't want to give her anything
that looks cheap. En- know she gave