Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-09-07

! GNU iiht llllS.
ne next morning the sky was full,
vi clouds. II was degrees colder and
the WIND sent the ragged leaves OF tbe
pepper tree swirling around the drive.
way Mrs. Penfeld reflected that Il
was fortunate she had lust laid in a
supply OF coal. Cornstalks and drift.
WOOD might serve as kindllnqs but
they made little impression on heating
lne mouse and that generous portion of
out-o1-doors which swept in through
cracks and knot-holes.
II was week Of rain. Clothes could
NOT be dried in the yard, so Crink car
rled them up to the loft as In the IRE
ylous winter, except that the ascent
was easier because of Uncle Jerry's
stepladder. Certainly washings could
not wait for fair weather, because i'm
meuiate revenue was required. CrInk
nau asked for a weeks pay In adj
vance to finish the payment on the
coal; therefore the family we're de-
pendent on the current income. Mrs.
fenneld had never planned so closely
before, but 1t 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
maid who Informed him carelessly
that he would get his pay the follow
ing week.
Now. children. we just got to PLAN"
said Mrs. Penfeld, cheerfully.
Consequently they planned. Mrs.
Penfeld 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. Penfeld 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.
It 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 Crink's
Ideas of independence.
Land, I'm glad I've read all them
diet books" she said to herself. II
know now that If you go without food
for few days, you amt starving
you're fasting. And It's turrible styl-
lsh, 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
we'll 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
vas one thing which she had not
on, and that was the cumula-
i've power of hunger. Ravenous
tomachs accept the limited ration for
time; then rise in gathered rebellion
nd demand their full need, totally I'M
ike their apathy under fasting.
It was not until New Years day
hat this happened Lunch consisted
f a small allowance of cornbread.
Cant l have some more, PenzieP'
Thad.
Mrs. Penfeld's eyes filed with the
ears that had been close to the sur
ace every time she had looked at her
rave brood.
Lettie sprang to her feet. "You lit
e dummy" she said affectionately.
faint cornbread you want; it's wa
,r. I'll get you some"
She brought him another tumbier OF
alter. He drank a few swallows
,ediently. He always did what Lettie
Id him TO.
ooh" he objected, making a wry
ce, ats got somep'n in it. Tastes
1e salty"
You bet it's got somep'n in II" re
ined Lottie. It'll make you want
me more water-and then some
ore. You're going to get full fore
n through with you. And after you
t a full feeling, you can't tell what
We IT to you" .
"Oh. children" began Mrs. Penheld' !,
ickly, tonight we'll have a gr-gran
" Her voice broke. With a swirl :
ovement she got up from the table
d went back to the stove, rafting '
e hampers vigorously. !.
crink also rose. II got something ;,
see TO-" he explained hurriedly. :
IN the afr Of starting on distant
and. he went out through the big
mt door.
Instantly, as II she had been wait
for some such circumstance. Lethe q
shed out az the back door She ran o
the coop in which Bonnie Geraldine u
and oFuWIIH W.