Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-27
CHAPTER XXI (Continued)

THE book in Mr.. Smiths hand slipped to
the floor with bang but no one was
noticing Mr. Smith
"Oh, Hattie, don't blame the hundred thou
sand dollars" cried Miss Maggie
Jim says II was, and Fred does, too.
They talked awfully. Fred said 1t was all
just the same kind of way that I'd tried
to make folks call Jim James He said
Ia been trying to make every single Jim
we had into a James, until I'd taken away
all the fun of living And I suppose maybe
he's right, too" Mrs. Hattie sighed pro-
foundly. We'll. anyhow I'm not going to
do it any more. There isn't any fun in 1t
anyway. It doesn't make any difference how
hard I tried to get ahead I always found
somebody else n little 'aheader, Benny
calls it, So what's the use?"
There isn't any use--in that kind Of try
ing, Hattie"
mo, I suppose there isn't. Jim said
| like the little boy that they asked what would
| make him the happiest of anything in the
| world, and he answered Everything that l
| haven't got And I suppose I have been
| something like that But ] don't see as
| I'm any worse than other folks. Everybody
| goes for money: but I'm sure don't see
| why-f 1t doesn't make them any happier
| than It has me! Well, ] must be going"
Mrs. Hattie rose weary. I'VE shall begin
| to pack the first of the month 1t looks ike
a mountain to me. but Jim and Fred say
| they'll help and"
| Maggie and her guest had reached the hall
| and had closed the door behind them. But
| when Miss Maggie returned Mr. Smith was
| pacing up and down the room nervously.
| We'll" he demanded with visible irrta-
| ton, soon as she appeared, "will you
| kindly tell me il there is anything-desirab
| that that confounded money has done?"
Miss Maggie looked up in surprise.
| You mean--Jim Blaisdcil's money!" he
| asked
| Il mean all the money! mean the $500
| 600 that those three people received. Has 1t
| ever brought any good or happiness-any-
| where?"
| "Oh, yes. know" smiled Miss Maggie, a
| little sadly, But" Her countenance
| changed abruptly. passionate earnestness
came to her eyes. Don't blame the money
| blame the spending of 1t The money
| isn't to blame The dollar that will buy
| tickets to the movies will just quickly
| buy good book and If you're hungry. it's
! up to you whether you put your money into
| chocolate eclairs or roast beef. Is the money
| to blame that goes for a whisky bill or
gambling debt instead of for shoes and
stockings for the family?"
why, n-no." Mr.. Smith had apparently
| lost his own irritation in his amazement at
hers why. Miss Maggie, you-you seem
worked up over this matter"
II am worked up Tn always worked up
| over money. It's been money, money.
money since I could remember We're
| all after it, and we all want It. and
strain every nerve to get it. We think its
GONE TO or,ns US happiness sut II won't
@u'iess @ we 40 our part ana mere are some
| 1t isn't the money that docs the things. any
way" ,, . t,e man peh'i'o ,t'c money VIVA, M
"Why. Miss Maggie. it-it-I-T--"
''1t isn't good for anything unless can
exchange it for something want. is it?"
"Why, II suppose we can give it.
But even then were exchanging it for
something we want. aren't we? We want to
make the other fellow happy, don't we?'
Well yes we do" Mr. Smith spoke with
sudden fervor. But it doesn't always work
that way. Look at the case right here Now
very likely this-er-Mr Fulton thought
those 5000 900 were going to make these peo-
| pie happy. Personification of happiness
that woman was a few minutes ago wasn't
she?" Mr. Smith had regained his air of
aggrieved irritation
mo, she wasn't. But that wasn't the
moneys fault It was her own She didn't
know how to spend it. And that's Just what
l mean when I say we've got to do our part
money won't buy happiness, unless we ex.
| change 1t for the things that will bring
happiness
"If we don't know how to get any happi-
ness out Of S. we won't know how to get
it out of $500 or $4,000, or $500, 900, Mr..
smith I don't mean that we'll get the same
amount out of S. of course-though I've
seen even that happen sometimes-but
mean that we'ye got to know how to spend
sb-and To make the most of IT,"
"I reckon-you're right Miss Maggie"
II know I'm right, and t isn't the moneys
fault when things go wrong Moneys all
right love money. Oh yes I know-we're
taught that the love of money is the root of
all evil. But don't think It should be So
necessarily. think moneys one of the most
wonderful things in the world It's more
than a trust and q gift-it's an opportunity
and test 1t brings out what's strongest
in us every time And It does that whether
it's SIS or 100000. If-if we love chocoat te
eclairs and the movies better than roast beef
and good books we're going TO buy them
whether they're chocolate eclairs and movies
: on SIS, or-champagne suppers and Paris
gowns on 100000"
Miss Maggie gave shamefaced laugh and
= | eapls haclS in her chair