The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-16
DOMESTIC DAYS
By ROY l.. M,CARDELL

If I only had a nice new eve ming gown I'd do it!" remarked Mrs. Jarr alour, as she reused up from her reveries.S
 @ DO what?" asked Mir Jarr. "Go to see Duse?"
 Go to see Duse?" repeated Mrs. Jarr. Why, I can't even think of evening dresses and jewels. No, l was only thinking of some plain every day clothes-but everything IS now so expensive in street dresses that even taking up charity work is out of the question"
 Charity work?" asked MT. Jarr. "Yes," replied Mrs. Jarr, "every woman who has nice clothes is bringing comfort to the poor this season. And when you're patroness you don't have to buy tickets to char l ity ntertainments--you make your friends buy them. Every one I know except myself has nice clothes to go around and do good among the poor but I can't afford it"
 "If that's the case why not have your friends come around here and do good among us?" suggested MT. Jarr. we are poor enough, goodness knows"
 q wish you wouldn't talk that
 
 q don't like to find fault, but you ought to have more family pride. I felt like going through the floor when I heard you tell the Stryvers how the automobile had impoverished your Uncle Ben, who was a horse doctor"
 Well. he is horse doctor, isn't her. asked MT. Jarr.
 | You could have said veterinary surgeon" asserted Mrs Jarr. Tt sounds more refined. If you must talk about your male relatives when our friends are. present, why don't you speak about your cousin who is a United States senator?"
 I'm afriad I'll have to destroy your | illusion regarding the senator" said MT. Jarr grimly. 'grhe only office he ever held in the United States Sem ate was assistant janitor, and he lost the job because of malfeasance in office. He stole brass cuspidors and sold them to the junkman." "Stop!" screamed Mrs. Jarr. q tell you to stop! And one thing more: When l speak of our family after this I shall only speak of my side of the family" Your family has its false alarms. too" replied MT. Jarr, little hotly. ''There's your cousin Ralph who"-
 We will not discuss my cousin Ralph. If you please" interrupted Mrs. Jarr coldly. Let us return to less acrimonious topic-Charity. Even Mrs; Pruyn. who is tho meanest woman l know, Is interested in tt and Is conducting a campaign for the proper appreciation of dietetics among the poor. But just as was saying, l haven't the clothes to take up charitable work"
 So 1t is necessary to be we'll dressed to do good deeds?" asked MT. Jarr But will you tell me why 1t is that charitable ladies think first of dresses for themselves before thsv think of clothes for the poor?"
 Because" replied Mrs. Jarr charity should begin at home" And now what's the matter? P" asked Mrs. Jarr, as she noticed friend husband seriously regarding a letter in the morning mail.
 It's notice my life insurance Is due in thirty days" replied MT, Jarr.
 T don't see why they should bother you about 1t at this time" said Mrs. Jarr. Don't they know the holidays will be hero in few weeks?"
 Tt probably never occurred to. the insurance company" ventured MT. Jarr
 Well, they should be more busi.
 
 send them a few dollars on account: or write and tell them to wait until after the New Year, Why don't you open a charge account with the in- surance people?" she went on. That's always the best way. It's a great convenience to have charge ac- counts"
 "Unfortunately the insurance com panies don't do business that way" replied MT. Jarr. And therefore it | behooves us"
 | "Oh, let them behoove, and never mind us!" interrupted Mrs. Jarr im- patiently. T suppose you're going to say that if am saving any money to buy Christmas things I'll have to give it to you to pay your old in- surance."
 But the insurance is for you" said Mir. Jarr. will I get 1t if I die? No, you'll get it, you and the |, children"
 I'm not 50 sure. of that" re- marked Mrs. Jarr. "YouIl outlive me. and 1t will go to second wife