Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-23
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
TRIPPET'S BILL
BIZ Martha McCuIIoch-W Williams


HTF YOU want my candid opinion"
i Major Wylic said Importantly, 1T
Is that the thing is impossible-and
worse-utterly foolish"
"But why2" Margaret asked tensely,
looking up from her list. Surely you
can't think that of just making chill
dren happy?"
"Abstractly, no. But you are going
to make them unhappy--with the very
best intentions, grant" the major
returned. 'Jnstead of actual help
they'll get burned fingers. stomach
aches. maybe even broken bones---'
"Stop right there" Margaret COM
mandcd, her mouth firmly mutinous.
"Tho poor little things have been so
oppressed with things they need when
think Of them / cant help aching
for them"
80 your plan is" the major be-
gan, frowning.
She took the word from his mouth,
running on: '"To got every child ] can,
as ragamufFiny us | can persuade them
to come, and give them one whole splcn-
did free day in our big barn-let' them
be as devilish and gloriously dirty as
they like-and send them home feeling
not that they arc objects Of charity,
but full fedsed and important members
of society"
~ see! You aim to plant seeds of
bolshevism T. the major snarlcd.
| Margaret giggled cheerfully. Wrong
as paint. Talking treason is finable.
How much shall I assess you? Not
for the riot-that's my party-but for
| the aftermath--thc grocery BILL"
II don't understand" began the ma
mo nccd--iust pay up" Margaret
half chantcd: It's going to be bear,
! for all Trippet's helping out with big
cash discount--not to name experience.
lie knows who looks twice before spend
ing the extra penny, and do believe
will rejoice TO tell them for this Christ
mas to go as far as they like"
Margaret Mason !" Words cannot
express the majors anger. "Of all the
insanity! Those women will turn
brigands! You'll bankrupt yourself even
IL your friends arc foolish enough 10
help you bit"
"Stop!" Margaret broke in, flaming
with anger. "You shall not say such
things of the dear. decent. shabby
creatures l see every day, who are as
human as VIC are--morc so, indeed
with the same cravings, the same feel
:ngs. as deeply hurt by ostcntatious
charity. but compelled to accept it By
dire need. This time they sban't be
they shall order for themselves and
swing down with big basket, OF
maybe two. Trippet has engaged that
they shan't scant thcmselves-hc is
also to whisper suggestions Of hospital :
ity to lone folk or those out of the
; nc,ghborhood. 1t plcascs folks such Il
lot to get together and feel that they
arc doing something
THE whole thing is-chimerical. |
shall not help il on" Major Wylic
exploded. Margaret laughed taunt
ingly. saying: II wouldn't let you
not if you begged me. You arc sc
poison selfish your money would spoil
everything. | meant to go through tn,
golf club like devouring pestilence-
after this ] shan't ask anybody: but il
there are volunteers they'll be the very
elect
Count me in For how much?
Gardner called from the far side o.
the fire. He had sat there cnthralled ii
a brcathless serial throughout the col
loQuy. Margaret smiled at him. "Al
you can standard then some-'frniC
, you'll find Yourself mighty lonesome.
"I'm not - Gardner protested stout,
ly. "Real fellows will be fighting to hell
take care of Trippet soon as ever the.
know. So you"-to Wylic-"had bet
ter fade quick"
II am going. hut not until | with
draw an offer | made to Miss Alaso
l yesterday" the major said, white wit
: rage. Margaret giggIcd again.
: "You hateful thing. When I ha,
I fixed up such nice No all wrappc
r up in honey and flowers" she said
still it might be worse Suppose. in
: stead, l had fixed up Nest'
''Arc such things transferableT
? Gardner asked, coming close TO he
e elbow and scanning the list she hcl
8 oyer her shoulder. what II piker yo
q Z must be-" he ran on. "Nobcdy d."
u Tor even half century, when Wyli
y could chip in million and not hav
heart failure"
, PITY the sorrows OF rich old man,
i Margaret half chanted. bcaming up Il
- the young fellow beside her. "Tomm
" Gardner. I'm sorry you're too old t
Z be asked TO the real party. ] think 70
n have lot of meaning that needs spill
ing"
= NO doubt--but shan't mind if 70
i take me with you to Trippet'S," Ton
i my answered gallantly.
;. Margaret nodded cmphatically: II
d | don't take you who knows that u
o bin will get it.clf paid:"
fortnight later, on u" way t