New Britain herald., 1927-08-22

Still looking at her. he spoke ts
 Millie. We don't want to go, dt
 we?" he asked her. Its quiet here and even if we can't drink, it's { nice place to spend the evening""
 Millie gasped. Why, what are you talking about?" she demanded
 You know this is the one night fir the year when people DO want tc have a drink! And since when are you on the water wagon? It wasn't so long ago that I had to drive you home one night that you didn't know the steering wheel from the spare tire, you were so tight! But, of course. if you're so gone on Sally that you want to stay here, cold sober. all evening long, far be it from ME to stop you!"
 She faced him angrily, Jealousy lighting up her face like torch. You can telephone for taxi for me. and I'll go home by myself" She fairly threw the words into his face.
 In the end they both went. Aunt Emily. who had come to the door that led from the kitchen, watched them go with puzzled, anxious eyes.
 "Why didn't they stay?" she ask ed, and Sally told her.
 Well" she said very tuietly, after a pause, maybe that's the answer to a good many things. We may have to be little bit more broad-minded if we're going to get the crowds. After all, I've put every nickel own into this business, and I'll make a go of 1t no matter what I have to dol"
 Sally frowned up at her. "Surely you aren't going to let people drink here!" she cried.
 Aunt Emily shook her head. "Of course not" she replied with spirit. But I'm going to do something to brighten things up. Maybe I can afford to hire a jazz band later on. reckon young folks will go any place where there's good dance music"
 "The House by the Side of the Road" did very little business that winter.
 Things will be better when the spring comes," Aunt Emily kept saying as month after month slipped away. And then I can af- ford to hire my jazz band"
 In the meantime she and Sally did all the work themselves, to keep expenses down. They fried the chicken and baked the pies. Thy set the tables and cleaned the house. They waited on table and checked the wraps.
 In the little car that Aunt Emily had bought from Ted Sloan they went to market and brought home great baskets of vegetables and fruits and young chickens.
 They cut the price of the dinner from s2 to a dollar and a half-and so. by hook and crook, they man. aged to stay in business.
 Each of them took $30 week as and they counted themselves lucky to make that much during the dull season for country inns.
 Every day Sally managed to go home to the flat on Trellis street o do as much work as she could crowd into two or three hours.
 And every day it seemed to her hat the little place grew more and nore dingy. For she no longer had ime to keep the silver shining like plate glass. to scrub the dining room 'ug with carpet soap once a month, ind to do all the little extra things | hat had made the flat so attractive l n spite of its old furniture.
 On Sundays Mrs. Jerome. with Mabel and Millie and Beau, would | come out to the House by the | Side of the Road" for dinner.
 They never offered to pay for 1t.
 They simply came and ate it and l vent away again without word of | hanks. Once Mabel even went so 'ar as to complain because they all | ways had the same food.
 "Why don't you ever have duck l Or a changer" she whined. I'm so | fred of chicken and apple pie and 10 on. that I can hardly swallow hem"
 Well, if you don't like what we nave here. you know exactly what 1 ,ou can do. my girl" Aunt Emily old her grimly. There are lots of 1 other restaurants where you can go lnd pay for what you eat!"
 After that Mabel and Beau stayed | lway for two weeks. But on the hird Sunday they were back again, lungry as ever.
 On the first Sunday night in April Mrs. Jerome drove out with Ted Sloan. |,
 She had had Sunday dinner there s usual and Sally and Aunt Elm ooked at each other with surprise Fhen she walked in at dusk.
 T just can't stand 1t any longer" he walled the minute she was in idle the door of the dining room,