The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-06-01

doormatl Jimmy, It's great to II,
, grand like this"
The next morning the sky was fu
Of clouds. 1t was degrees colder. an
the wind sent the ragged leaves Of tn
, pepper tree swirlIng around the driv'
4 way. Mrs. Penf1eld reflected that
was fortunate she had just laid In
supply of coal. Cornstalks and drift
wood might serve as kindlIngs, bu
they made little impression on heatIn
the house and that generous portion o
out-of-doors which swept In through
cracks and knot-holes.
1t was q week Of rain. Clothes coul(
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
| stepiadder. Certainly washIngs could
not wait for fair weather, because I'm
mediate revenue was required. Crlnk
had asked for q 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 1t had seemed safe.
The first time that Crink returned
without the money for the laundry
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.
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. Penfleld was that commercial
outcast, the cash customer, who re-
ceives only the most feeting 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 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-
sh, too. Besides. water Is awful fill
n.y."
She drank two glasses before every
neal. To her establishment she dis
covered that Lettie knew this trick as
veil as she did, having learned 1t by
ar more narrowing means-not by
eading, but by necessitous expert
nee.
1t looked as if she would be able to
teer her household craft safely
through the shallow waters, without
ppealing in any direction; but there
vas one thing which she had not
ounted on, and that was the cumula-
I've power of hunger. Ravenous
accept the limited ration for
time; then rise In gathered rebellion
nd demand their full need, totally un-
Ike their apathy under fasting.
1t was not until New Years day
nat this happened. Lunch consisted
small allowance of cornbread.
Cant l have some more, PenzieY
needed Thad.
Mrs. Penfield's eyes filed with the
,ars that had been close to the sur
ice 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 I
r. I'll get you some"
She brought him another tumbIer of 7
ater He drank few swallows 7
'edlently. He always did what Lettie
Id him to- G
"Oh." he objected, making a wry '
&c, tits got somep'n In 1t. Tastes
.e salty" s
you bet it's got somep'n in It," re-
ned Lottie. It'll make you want I
ne more water-and then some n
IRE. You're going to get full fore "
] through with you. And after you
t full feeling. you can't tell what IL
We 1t to you" n
'Oh, children" began Mrs. Penfield, II
lckly, tonight Wen have gr-gran pl
Her voice broke. With a swift
she got up from the table al
] went back to the stove, rafting
, hampers vigorously.
Crink also rose. 81 got something tn
see to-" he explained hurriedly. al
tn the air of starting on a distant to
and, he went out through the big
mt door. ha
instantly, as If she had been wait pr
for some such circumstance, Lettie al,
'hed out at the back door. She rap J ba
the coop In which Bonnie GegSa dir Wa
cked away the days. and grumble
reasonable lunch OF cornbrea, su
Ouph fhe Stats Rpachiup I'm har va