The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-02-11


where are they getting the linens
from? With the Belgium weavers idle
and the Irish mills very much crippled
it is to be expected that next year
will see even greater shortage.
After the holidays, of course, stores
are anxious to clear out winter goods;
some may have become shopworn or
soiled. But in any case, it will be
wiser to take advantage of such re-
auctions now than to wait until still
higher price is placed on them next
fall. 1t cannot be emphasized too
much how short the wool supply is
becoming therefore, buy now sweat
ers and blankets, mittens, wool sox
and underwear which will exactly as
well next year, and which will be right
at hand when wanted next cold sea-
son.
"But buying now will keep my
money idle a whole year." some may
exclaim. That is true; but it is more
probable that the saving you will eff
feet by buying certain necessities now
will bring a greater saving than that
at even a usual interest rate. Sup
pose, for instance, here is a blanket
at So which was regularly $12 before
the holidays. If you positively know
that within-another year your home
will need another blanket you will in
vest So and buy it. Put out at inter-
est SO would only bring twenty-four
cents. Yet you know you are saving
more close to 81 by buying now. 1t
is quite apparent that it will more
thrifty to buy now and save 81 than
to put the same money to earn
twenty-four cents.
The great reduction in coats, suits
and other clothing should tempt the
wise mother to see If she cannot antici-
pate her children's needs by buying
now. For instance, Tom may still
have good overcoat this year, but by
spring it will be very short and by
next fall all outgrown, so it cannot
be worn at all next October. If you
buy coat in October you will pay
the highest price, whereas if you now
buy an after season coat about two
sizes larger than his present size you
will have your coat all ready for next
fall, bought at the reduced holiday
price. The same holds good about
children's underwear, stockings, nit
tens and hats of winter fabrics.
All fur sets are at their lowest in
January. All warm ,footgear, COM
forters, cap and scarf sets and the
like are going for less than usual and
if they belong to any of the wool or
cotton or linen families take them
now. 1t is almost impossible to buy
good real wooden stockings today, and
ever in the last thirty years, shrdl
the cotton, which is now so high,
higher than ever in the last thirty
years, will be needed more and more
for explosive purposes, and thus there
will be shortage for home use. I'm
bleached muslin that used to sell in
seven and nine cent grades is today
worth fifteen and eighteen cents and
you have a family with six or more
beds, or even less, the sheeting prob
lem becomes serious.
Some women do have the habit of
buying bargain" dress goods goods,
etc., even when there is no immediate
need; but that is different from what
is being urged in this article-the def
mite planned-for buying of necessities
at the present low prices so as to be
forehanded when conditions become
more serious, as there Is every indi-
cation that they will.
The author recalls school teacher
friend who had this unusual habit
whenever she saw real reduction in
kept it right in her trunk. Then when
there was a small gift to be made on
a birthday or a surprise party suddenly
arranged, or a wedding. this girl had
a real and beautiful gift chosen care
fully and lovingly, to offer. I thought
it was an extrayagant habit at the
time, but experience has shown me
that the really expensive gift or pur-
chase is that one made when you
"haye to rush out and buy something;
cerain kinds of linen are always in
good taste and will be just as lovely
several years from now as today;
certain toilet articles and furnishings
will stand laying away for a year;
indeed, this forehanded buying is
real test of wise buying-f what you
buy now isn't worth while at the end
of a year-it never was worth while >