The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-11
The Woman
He Married
A CLOAK AND IT'S RESULT.
BY JANE PHELPS

For weeks after mother left what
she had said often required to me.
Dick and I were usually happy and
contented when we were together, and
we were both immensely fond and
proud of Junior. But when was
alone, or with Clara watson and 9TH
ers, all my discomfort came back to
me. l made many resolutions-usually
when Dick had been unusually affec-
tionate, or had tried to please me by
bringing me some little gift, but al
most as often as made them I broke
them.
1 missed mother dreadfully. She was
so competent, SO absolutely satisfying.
L don't think I had the slightest idea
how much she had done for US all that
month until she was gone.
Jacks people had written US a very
nice family letter when they heard
about Junior. His mother sent a won
derful christening robe, his sister a
dainty cloak.
"one would think he was million
aires baby instead of a poor clerks
kid, wouldn't they?" Dick said as he
examined the gifts. ST thought mother
had more sense"
II don't see why you say thatl" I
bridled at once. Even if she didn't
| is her grandson, and she probably
wants him to have nice things"
Heart Hear! OF course he's her
grandson, but unless she expects to go
on dressing him. she shouldn't have
sent thing like that. He's no So
ciety kid, are you, Junior?"
81 just love it! And the cloak, too.
| shall write at once and tell them so.
We must have his picture taken just
as soon as we can and send it to them.
Wen have it taken in his christening
robe. with the cloak thrown over the
chair"
Got it all doped out, haven't you?
I had it in mind to write the mater to
send more practical things when she
sent anything, but as you are so
pleased I had better keep still"
| 81 should say you had! Why, II
you did that they might never send
him anything nice again. We can buy
the practical things ourselves"
I then showed him some other
things our friends had Gent Junior.
Clara Watkins had made him the
dearest bonnet and Emelie Wood, an
other friend, had fitted out his baby
basket with all sorts of dainty and
useful things. But the gift that aston
ished me the most, and I think it did
Dick. too, was an exquisite pair OF SOFT
blankets from Mrs. Stowell.
ct never dreamed she would think
of sending us anything" I said, while
Dick frowned.
IT wish she hadn't. We can't keep
up their pace SO can't be at all init
mate with them"
I "You were before we married"
Eyes, because then had no one but
| myself to think of. Until I met you
! and commenced to save so we could
get married I spent my money care
lessly as most bachelors are inclined
| to do"
/ Stowell had sent the blankets, lovely
as they were. But I didn't say so to
Dick.
Mother had given the baby a go
cart, just a simple little light affair
that could push without firing. But
his lovely cloak and bonnet did not
show to any advantage, and urged
Dick to buy a carriage.
How much do they cost, Nan?"
Dick asked after I had urged him sew
eral times to buy one
"a nice one, the kind want. costs
about $40 now. They used to be $25
before the war"
ITS after the war now, Dear, and
we haven't yet settled down to where
poor folks can afford the inflated
prices. think it would be criminal
| to pay $40 for carriage especially
as he doesn't really need it. The air
is what he needs, and he gets the same
ozone in a go-cart that he would get
in an expensive carriage
''How stupid you talk Don't you
Ihlnk tndL neeQ any consideration
| other women have maids to take their
children out. If am willing to play
maid. you should not make me feel so
mortified. We have the prettiest baby,
and he has the best looking cloak and
bonnet of any in the neighborhood,
and I am going to have a carriage
that will show him Off" I said it firm
~. I saw that I must be firm with
j Dick IL ever expected to have any
thing as wanted it.
81 was afraid that cloak and dress
would make trouble" Dick said. not
Grossly. but seriously. TIL think II
over, Dear, and tonight wen decide
Now I must run along" Then to my
utter establishment, he turned and
said:
st want to talk over our finances
with you tonight anyway. You never
have told me what you bought with
that money you drew from the bank
And Nan. don't set your heart on thai
carriage
"Oh, but have" called after him
. altho he was half down the stairs.
(To be continued.)