The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-06-17
JIM'S SURPRISE
BY ETHEL L. STANTON

Little Mrs. Carey frowned at her
monthly budget.
Three dollars and nineteen cents
left this month. Last month it was
two dollars, and the month before it
was one-thirty-seven. That is lot of
money for college graduate to
squander, isn't it? l know Jim can't
| give me any more, besides l suspect
he is worried over his magazine. 1t
would be too bad for him to have to
suspend publication just as he has
worked up a good circulation.
"Wish 1 could help him." she unused.
What good is my college-trained mind
II it can't think up a scheme to earn
money at home? 1t certainly was not
much use when began to care for a
baby and house all at once. Poor
Jim, what chaos he lived in for two
years, until | tried to make house
hold efficiency expert of myself"
An idea like flash sprang into her
mind.
why can't l at home train few
college girls so their husbands won't
have to suffer as Jim did while l was
learning my job? They could come
here from 8 till 5, one girl in the morn
ing and one in the afternoon, or two
all day. I'll charge two dollars for a
three-hour lesson, three months
course. Maybe the dean will let it
count one-half point toward degree.
I'll go right over to the college this
| afternoon"
The dean Of the nearby college al
lowed Mrs Carey to present her plan
to gathering of the girls.
Humorously she described her own
helpless foundering when she was try
Ing to begin housekeeping. Then she
explained her idea of allowing girls to
come to her own home, where by ac-
tual experience they could learn the
routine work of a house.
Buying and dressmaking will also
be included" she added. Now don't
think that your trained minds can
easily master the intricacies OF house
keeping. That idea, l believe, Is
wrong. A girl without college training
will take more kindly to housework
because her mind has never had the
advantage Of advanced study, which
has the tendency to make the routine
work of a house seem petty.
THAT does not mean that / object
to college training in the home. On
the contrary, the college bred women
will attack the confusion caused by
her Ignorance OF homework with a
]
| fdent than her sister with the IN
trained mind. She will give TO the
home and will surround her children
with an atmosphere which only edu-
cation can give"
Eight girls responded to this ap-
peal. Six OF these could start the next
week and take three lessons a week
The other two, who were TO be mar
ried soon, wanted to come together
every morning for three months. Mrs.
Carey went home jubilant. She even
decided TO teach her pupils to battle
her baby.
The success Of the plan was far be-
yond her expectations. For two years
she had pupils every day, and at the
end of that time had $500 In the
bank. The best of II was that Jim
never suspected what was going on.
He was working night and day him
self, yet did not act like a prosperous
man. Several times she tried TO urge
him to tell her his troubles, but he evil
IDENTIFY decided to spare her as long as
possible. Perhaps she did not press
the matter sufficiently, knowing that
the day for her surprise would surely
come.
Ii was two and one-half years after
the teaching had been inaugurated
that he came and slumped YEARLY into
a chair.
i've bad news to tell you" he said.
II shall have to go into bankruptcy
this week, and for only 5000, 100. I've
tried everywhere to raise the money,
but | can't do ii. l am ashamed to
bring this on you. The little home
will have to 60" he added, brokenly.
I'm sorry for you. | have tried
| guess I'm failure You ought not
TO have married me-"
Not another word" whispered his
wife, kissing him. "Just shut your
eyes and I'll get surprise for you"
In minute she had put In his hands
her savings bank book.
Jim looked at the cover and then at
his wife. Il don't understand" he
said slowly.
open It," said Mrs. Carey, eagerly.
1T Is all yours. l did it for you"
After her explanation he looked up
from the total figure TO the face OF
his wife, saying in a low, reverent
voice:
you can't realize what this means
to me-" He took her face between his
palms and drew it to him. ut is your
kind, dear, that make men worship
women. Thank God that he let me