The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-11-29

hunched down on her faI1e-h0y ~
nxed her black eyes solemnlv on Mrs
Penfield's face.
"What're you thinking of. dear9
Aren't you fuI?"
fullF Lettie left it at that, with
entire adequacy. "What was think
ing OF was last year and the swell feed
got 1 had some moldy bread and
piece OF bologny that l fished outa-"
"Oh, Lettie, Lettie!" broke in Mrs
Penfield compassionately. 'Tm never
be thankful enough that Crink found
you"
"Neither'll l be, you bet your front
doormat! Jimmy, it's great to live
grand like this"
The next morning the sky was full
of clouds. 1t was degrees colder. and
the wind sent the ragged leaves of the
pepper tree swlrling around the drive.
way. Mrs. Penfield reflected that It
was fortunate she had just laid In q
supply of coal. Cornstalks and drift
wood might serve as kindlings, huf
they made little impression on heatine
the house and that generous portion o'
out-of-doors which swept in through
cracks and knot-holes.
1t was 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. Crinl-
had asked for a 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
hefore, 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 8
maid who Informed him carelessl,
that he would get his pay the follow
ing week.
Now, children, we just got to plan,
said Mrs. Penfield 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. Penfield was that commercial
outcast, the cash customer, who re,
ceives only the most fleeting considera
tion from the storekeeper, whereas
the customer who keeps him waiting
for his money is the object OF his
earnest solicitude and accommodation
II seems that the less money one has
the more promptly one pays. 1t was
probable that Mrs. Penfeld might have
opened an account at Mr.. brakes
but 1t was contrary to her prudent
policy, and also distasteful to Crlhk
ideas of independence.
Land, I'm glad I've read all then
diet books" she said to hersel1.
know nov that if you go without foot
for n few days, you amt starving
you're fasting. And it's turrible styi
ish TOO. Besides, water is awful MI
ing"
She drank two glasses before ever!
meoI To her astonishment, she dls
covered that Lettie knew this trick n
| well as she did, having learned IL ny
far more narrowing means-not D.
read,np hut by necessitous expert
ence. :.
II looked as If she would be able u
STEER her household craft safe'!
tbrouph the shallow waters, with"u
anpealing in any direction; but ther
wos one thing which she had no
counted on, and that was the cumu'"
five mower of hunger. Ravehou
stomachs accept the limited ration 70
n time. then rise in gathered rebellion
and demand their full need. totally III
like their apathy under fasting
II was not until New Years na
that this happened. Lunch consiste
Of n small allowance of cornbreaa'
"Can't I have some more, PenzieT
wheedled Thad.
Mrs. Penfield's eyes filed Win IN
tears that had been close 10 the su,
face every time she had looked at ne
brave brood. NV ~,
Lettle sprang to her feet. You u.
t,e dummy she said afectiona'e'.
" ,tain't cornbread you want us WI
for III get you some.'
She brought him another tumoier .
water. He drank few swaiiom
obediently. He always did what Leu
told him to.
"Oh.p he objected, making WI
face. ats got somepn in 1t. TASTE
like salty" , :,
"you bet it's got somep'n In IT. r.
,o,nod Lottie. 'It'll make you war
some more water-and then SON som
more You're going to get fuii Iol
I'm through with you, And aIIer "