The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-24
EueningStory
Trippet's Bill.
BY MARTHA McC WILLIAMS.

Major Mylie said Importantly, II -
that the thing is impossible-and
worse-utterly foolish
looking up from her list. Surely you
can't think that of just making chill
dren happy2"
'.Abstractly, no. But you are go
ing to make them nhappy-with the
very best intentions, L grant," the
ma ior returned. Instead of actual
help they'll get burned fingers,
stomach-aches, maybe even broken
bones-'
"stop right there" Margaret com
nnanded. her. mouth firmly mutinous.
The poor little things have been so
oppressed with things they need
when I think of them can't help
aching for them"
80 your plan is" the major be-
gan frowning.
She took the word from his mouth,
running on; 'STo get every child 1
can, as ragamuffiny as 1 can per-
suade them to come, and give them
one WI Gle splendid free day in our
big barn-let them be as devilish and
send them home feeling not that they
are objects of charity, but full-fledged
and important members of society"
'I see! You aim to plant seeds of
bolshevism," the major snarled.
Margaret giggled cheerfully. Wrong
as paint. Ialk1nS ITOdSOn Is IlildD1C.
How much shall assess you? Not
for the riot-that's my party-but for
the aftermath-the grocery BILL
'I don't understand" began the
major.
for all Trippets helping out with
big cash discount-not to name ex-
perience. He knows who looks twice
before spending the extra penny, and
1 do believe will rejoice to tell them
for this Christmas to go as far as they
like
Margaret Masoni" Words cannot
express the majors anger. "Of all
the insanity Those women will turn
brigands! You'll bankrupt yourself
even if your friends are foolish
enough to help you a bit
with anger. you shall not say such
things of the dear, decent, shabby
creatures I see every day, who are as
human as we are-more so, indeed
with the same cravings, the same feel
ings, as deeply hurt by ostentatious
charity, but compelled to accept it by
dire need. This time they shan't be;
they shall order for themselves and
ruffle proudly to see the grocer boy
swing down with a big basket, 5r
maybe two. Trippet has engaged that
they shan't scant themselves-he IS
also To Whisper SuSBeSllOHS OIL nOSpl-
taIity to lone folk or those out of the
neighborhood. 1t pleases folks such
a lot to get together and feel that they
are doing something
The whole thing is-chimerical. I
shall not help it on Major Wylie
exploded. Margaret laughed taunt-
ingly, saying: Il wouldn't let you,
not if you begged me. You are so poi
son selfish your money would spoil
everything. 1 meant to go thru the
golf club like a devouring pestilence
after this 1 shan't ask anybody; but
if there are volunteers they'll be the
very elect"
Count me ini For how much ,"
Gardner called from the far side of
the fire. He had sat there enthralled
in breathless serial thruout the col
loquy. Margaret smiled at him "AlI
you can stand-and then some-'fraid
you'n find yourself mighty lonesome"
I'm mott" Gardner protested stout
ly. Real fellows will be fighting to
help take care of Trippet soon as ever
they know. So you"-to Wylie-"had
better fade quick"
Il am going. but not until I with
draw an offer I made to Miss Mason
yesterday" the major said, white with
rage. Margaret giggled again.
you hateful thingi When I had
flXed up such nice No all wrapped
up in honey and flowers" she said.
H.
stead, L had fixed up a Yes ?''
Are such things transferable ?"
Gardner asked, coming close to her
elbow and scanning the list she held
over her shoulder. What piker you
must bel" he ran on. Nobody down
for even half a century, when Wylie
could chip in million and not have
hearts failure"
PITY the sorrows of a rich old
mar" Margaret half chanted, beaming
up at the young fellow beside her.
Tommy Gardner, I'm sorry you're too
old to be asked to the real party.
think you have a lot of meaning that
needs spilling."
N'No doubt-but I shan't mind if
you take me with you to Trippet's,"
Tommy answered gallantly.
Margaret nodded emphaticalIy: "If
l don't take you who knows that the
bill will get itself paid? ?''
A fortnight later, on the way to
Trippets she confided to Tommy:
You surely missed something. So
much fun to the square foot wonder
1t didn't make dent in the earth
Had keg of cider, tin cups all round
barrel of apples, thick ginger cakes,
sweet and piping hot. turkey feathers
to stick in hats and hair, flour. lanp-
black, red ink for makeup, molasses
candy by the yard, bread and butter
and piles of ham, thick and greasy.
with nobody spelling it into sand
wiches. Then the whole barn was free
to them-not a Don't anywhere
they could climb. fall, run, shout
break bones or necks, if it pleased
them-and mess all they wanted.
cooking eggs and apples in the fire
outside Eating started with the
earliest comers and lasted till the very
end And not a soul the worst for
anything beyond a burned finger or a
loose tooth knocked out. And ever
since their people have been telling
me they've been as good as pie-be-
cause promised if they were only half
as good we'd have it over-with frills
on-the Fourth of July"
Does that pay you for wearing an
old frock to the Christmas dance ?"
Tommy asked softly. Margaret an
swered with a 1ook-somehow it
seemed sufficient. Hhen there was
silence or its equivalent until they
were facing Trippet. all one broad
grin. and radiant with good will.
Sure. twas the best of Christmas"
he said. THE bills COMFORTABLE