Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-12-16
HIS WIFE,
THE BETTER
MANAGER
10 by D. J. walsh.)

u n OulStTetCHeu pehhOiueT III heE
husbands hand.
Mortgage on the farm" she said.
as her eyes reached the bottom. "and
you want me to sign 1T"
Naturally, as I'm standing here
holding out a pen to you"
She dropped the paper on the table
and turned to him. "It's for the au-
tomobile you've been talking about,
supposed" she asked. do you re-
member 1t took ten years to pay of
the mortgage that was on the place
when married you? And do you
realize that though Mary's expenses
at the seminary and Toms at college
are all paid for the present year, ST.
500 will be needed for the next1 We
have some $500 in the bank, I think,
and you've rented the farm we might
have counted on for some income. See
your wayT"
"There you Co." said Whipple irri-
tably; always and forever trying to
throw cold water on whatever bring
up. OF course, 7 remember. and, Of
course, I realize. The money'll come
round all right when it's needed It
always does. But you seem to forget
the farms naturally mine. You didn't
have a cent when married you"
Mrs. Whipple fiattened the paper on
the table, took the pen from his hand
and signed her name quietly. II can't
answer that argument, William" she
said coldly. "You flung 1t at me
when you rented the farm. 1t Is an
unfortunate fact that did not bring
you any money"
"Oh, come, now, Mary" apologlzed
her husband as he picked up the pa
per and slipped 1t into his pocket.
"you know didn't quite mean that.
I'm always making fool statements
I'm sorry for afterward. OF course,
don't really own the farm. There
was the 5000 mortgage, and you
helped pay that Off-in fact, It was
your Idea and energy that rid 1t.
never could have paid II off by my
self So It's really part yours, and l
only rented 1t for two years, you
know. I'm forty-eight and have
worked pretty hard, and II feel
ought to have little rest-that both
of us ought to. We can take up the
farm again at the end of two years II
we like.
I'm awfully glad you've come
around to see the automobile buying
same as l do" he mumbled. "It's time
we had one Diem Anderson and Sam
Potter, and"
81 understand" she interrupted.
"Mrs Anderson was talking with me
the other day. They mortgaged their
farm to buy car. Mr.. Potter got his
father to lndorse a note for him at a
bank. The Smiths have considerable
surplus money. believe, so It was all
right for them, understand all right.
You had automobile on the brain
three months ago. when you first hint
ed about renting the farm. You'd
never have dreamed of such a thing
otherwise. You wanted more time to
play with It."
There, that proves you don't un.
derstand" he exclaimed triumphant
ly. "YOu think It's just extravaganza.
II Isn't. The agent says there's no
trouble at all in selling automobiles.
It's fair time now, and he's going
round to the big ones and says he'd
like man along to help. SO this at
ternoOn I'm to get my car and then
go with him a few weeks to learn
about driving It and how to sell. why,
I wouldn't wonder IL could sell lots
of 'em. The $1,000 won't be needed
for nearly year, and I'm likely to
make 1t two or three times over In
that time. The agent says"
gust what day does the renter take
possession"
Next Monday. But he'll come into
the house today with his family. That
will make 1t pleasanter for you, me
being away, so you won't be lone.
some. They take only the back part
Of the house, so there needn't be any
more mixing than you like It'll be
lots easier and pleasanter for you,
Mary" conclliatingly; board with
them, have all the company you like
and go visiting whenever you like"
81 shall go away myself tomorrow"
she said calmly. "No use my staying
on here"
"You-go awayi But you mustn't,
Mary. 1t wouldn't be right. Then,
there's nobody but your sister, and
you wouldn't want to live there. Her
husband"
"Not there, Of course. I'm thinking
of the $1,000. I shall be doing what
can to"
Mary" quick wrath mingling with
the expostulatlon. you surely don't
mean going back to your old work Of
demonstrating family -four to the pub.
lie, baking biscuit and waffles with It,
and having your girls pass 'em round
with cups Of coffee to gaping listeners
while you talk? don't mean but its
nice work, and you used to draw big
pay, and 1t was listening to you lee
turing on a platform that started me
to falling In Iove-but-but, Mary,
can't you see? Going back to work
would make II seem llke-lke was
hard up"
Mary WhippIe looked at him with u
half smile, tenderness In her eyes but
resolution on her lips. She was stu
the striking figure that had demon.
strated flour to the public twenty
years before, a little older, a little
stouter, but with the same friendly
eyes and clear, persuasive voice.
"Will Whlpple," she smiled. "you're