Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-10-18

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pepper tree swirling around the drive
way. Mrs. Penfield reflected that 1t
was fortunate she had just laid in
supply of coal. Cornstalks and drift
wood might serve as kindlings, but
they made little impression on heating
the house and that generous portion OF
out-of-doors which swept in through
cracks and knot-holes.
1t was a week of rain. Clothes could
not be dried in the yard, so Crink car
ried them up to the loft as in the pre-
vious winter, except that the ascent
was easier because of Uncle Jerry's
stepladder. Certainly washings could
not wait for fair weather, because I'M
mediate revenue was required. Crink
had asked for weeks pay IN ad-
vance, to finish the payment on the
coal; therefore the family were de-
pendent on the current income. Mrs.
Penfield' had never planned so closely
before but it had seemed safe.
The first time that Crink returned
without the money for the laundry
| which he had just delivered, she was
disappointed; the second time, she
was alarmed In each case the family
had gone out of town to spend the hol-
iday week; Crink had encountered a
maid who informed him carelessly
that he would get his pay the follow
ing week
Nov, children, we just got to plan,
said Mrs. Penfeld, cheerfully.
Consequently they planned. Mrs.
| Penfield took no further account of
possible income during the week, and
apportioned the supplies on hand to
| tide them through till the day after
New Years. She was reasonably sure
| that on that. date she could depend
upon a payment from Mrs. Weather
stone.
Mrs. PenfeId was that commercial
outcast, the cash customer, who re-
ceives only the most fleeing considera-
| ton from the storekeeper, whereas
| the customer who keeps him waiting
for his money is the object of his
| earnest solicitude and accommodation.
| 1t seems that the less money one has,
the more promptly one pays 1t was
probable that Mrs. Penfield might have
opened an account at Mr.. brakes;
but it was contrary to her prudent
policy, and also distasteful to Crinks
ideas of independence.
"Land, I'm glad I've read all them
diet books she said to herself Il
know now that if you go without food
for few days. you amt starving
you're fasting. And it's turrible styl-
ish, too. Besides, water is awful fill
ing"
| She drank two glasses before every
meal. To her establishment, she dis
covered that Lettie knew this trick as
well as she did, having learned it by
far more narrowing means-not by
reading, but by necessitous expert
ence.
1t looked as If she would be able to
steer her household craft safely
through the shallow waters, without
appealing In any direction; but there
was one thing which she had not
counted on, and that was the cumula-
tive power of hunger. Ravenous
stomachs accept the limited ration for
time; then rise in gathered rebellion
and demand their full need, totally un-
like their apathy under fasting.
1t was not until New Years day
that this happened. Lunch consisted
of a small allowance OF cOrnbread.
"Can't I have some more, Penzie?'
wheedled Thad.
Mrs. Penfelds eyes filled with the
tears that had been close to the sur
face every time she had looked at her
1 brave brood.
Lettie sprang to her feet. "You lit
tie dummy" she said affectionately,
"'taint cornbread you want; it's wa
ter. I'll get you some"
She brought him another tumbler of
water. He drank few swallows
obediently. He always did what Lettie
told him to.
"Oh," he objected, making a wry
face, sits got somep'n in it. Tastes
like salty"
/! 'eYou bet it's got somep'n in It," re-
joined Lottie. It'll make you want
some more water-and then some
more You're going to get full fore
I'm through with you. And after you
got full feeling, you can't tell what
gave it to you"
"Oh, children" began Mrs. Penfeld,
quickly, tonight we'll have a gr-gran
-" Her voice broke. With a swift
movement she got up from the table
and went back to the stove, rafting
the hampers vigorously.
Crink also rose. 81 got something
to see to-" he explained hurriedly.
With the air of starting on distant
Grand he went out through the big
front door.
Instantly, as If she had been wait
ing for some such circumstance, Lettie
dashed out at the back door. She ran
to the coop in which Bonnie Geraldine
CLICKED away the days, and crumbled
reasonable lunch of cornbread
through the Stats. Reaching in her
pocket for more, she turned to feed FIJI
| Caesar.
Crink was there before her, digging
into his pockets and spreading corn
bread for the hungry little dog.
81 thought mebbe-mebbe Fil'd like
some" he said softly.
Lettie nodded. "We can't tell him
'bout-'bout drinking water" she whis-
pered. Her lips were unsteady, but