Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-01-08
THE PROBLEM
by JULIA A. ROBINSON.

her days wOrk--that Is. she went to
her small room In lodging house. She
was tired. and a little discouraged. for
the day had been hard one. She
| stopped on the first floor to pay the
rent for the following week. for she
might oversleep In the morning and
NOT have time to see the landlady be-
fore going to work; then she would
run the risk Of losing her room. She
always cringed when she paid out
those precious dollars; It took so long
to earn them. and so much hard work
Then II was that the great blow came.
From now on itll be so cents more
week" announced the landlady.
blandly. not noticing the shock to the
girl. "Everything's gone up" she went
on.
Nanette gasped. but dared not say
same story. 'Everythings gone up!"
dreading the result. Now 1t had come.
and what was she to do? Had not
things gone up for her as well? Who
was to help her on her expenses? She
had no one to fall back upon and de-
mand more money of them to meet the
high prices for everything she must
buy. 1t was the way they all did. and
she dared not protest.
Yearly the girl paid the extra half
dollar and mounted the stairs to her
lodgings. Somehow. the little room that
she had tried to make beautiful with
her own simple brio a-brac. had lost its
attraction for her. 1t no longer looked
hOmelike. She sank into a chair and
burst into tears. Everything looked
dark before her. II don't know what
I'm going to do! she walled. II was
paying the limit before. shall have to
60 without clothes"
How could she pay the rent and have
enough to eat to keep her health on
her small salary? They would turn her
of II she complained The world was
very cruel. What was the use Of liv-
ing. anyway?
An hour later John came. He had
not called for long time and Nanette
was afraid he had forgotten. She
frightened up. brushed the tears from
her face. and went down to meet him.
Perhaps he would take her to the NOV
les: that would help her to forget.
But John was not thinking Of the
movies. They walked out to the river
bank. Moonlight streamed across the
river. Passers-by chated gaily, but
John was glum and silent. not at all
like himself.
mo. I'm not going to the movies I"
he growled. when Nanette dared the
suggestion. Couldn't stand 'em to-
night -
"Why not? What ails you. John?
I thought you liked the movies"
How can YOU expect hungry man
to enjoy the movies or anything else?"
he groaned.
Hungry? Why. John. you're not
hungry. really?"
Eyes. I am"
But didn't you have your supper?
What's the matter with you?"
Matter enough, I should saw" he
cent meal anywhere in the city! You
pay all creation and don't get what's
fit to eat. and not half enough OF it.
I'm tired nf It,"
"Oh. John. It's too bad!" she sym.
pathized. II was down in the dumps.
too. when you came because Mrs.
Stokes has raised my rent. and every
thing costs SO much. confess l 90
hungry myself sometimes. What are
we going to do with such prices?"
John whistled. That's the problem,
and hard one. tool"
They sat silent for a long time, star
ing at the ground. too much cast down
to talk. Suddenly John asked: "Can
you make an omelette. Nanette?"
Nanette laughed. "Why. I used to
make them at home think I could
now. II had fresh eggs. and stove
to cook them on"
"And a little house to put the stove
In" he added. That's Just II, Nanette.
It's a holne we need. What's the use Of
dragging on In this way paying out all
your money and having nothing to
show for ii. Let's go to housekeeping.
you and l. Wen have little hopse
somewhere where we can keep a Few
hens and have a few green things
growing To eat. We can save money.
have n good time-and have enough to
eat at leaSt,'
He had grown enthusiastic. but Nan
cite was silent. She had never imag.
tned being wooed in quite that way. 1t
seemed very practical and homely.
just to he thinking Of eating She
wanted love and romance-but then.
John WAS hungry and she pitied him.
Yet she would not yield at once. Her
woman's coIuetry came to her aid.
"Oh, you want me Just for your cook.
do your" she retorted. Cant you hire
some one else for cook. John?"
He saw the fun lurking In her eyes,
and began to understand. There!
TIM brute" he cried II confess this
does not sound much like lovemaking.
but II Is. and l mean IT, Leaving the
eating and the practical part ont of
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