Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-11-14
TAPPING
THE HOUSE
BUDGET
BOX
By ETA WEBB
(to by D. J. Walsh.)


O0 by D. J. walsh.)
7 TELEN REID stared into the
- box, surprise and dismay de-
i Il lineated on her charming
young blond countenance.
Yesterday the little compartment la
Deled "Incidentals" had contained
money. This morning it was empty.
ana the man was waiting for his pay
for the cute bridge lamp she had or
dered sent home from Kent's. Joe
had simply riaed every cent out of
lncidentals." No, she could not say
rined, for when they agreed to run
their finances according to the budget
system they had placed no restrictions
on each other. Economy was their
watchword Helen telt she had prac-
ticed economy faithfully. But she
just had TO have that bridge lamp.
1t was bargain at $3.50.
Just one thing to do under the cir
cumstances. and with a sigh she did
IT. She took $3.50 out of the house
payment till. That was the only till
that still was left untouched. She
could replace the money later. With
a smile that bewitched the errand
man from Kent's into believing that
This pretty young hOusekeeper was
untroubled by care, she paid for her
lamp.
Connected up with the floor socket
nearest the library table, the lamp
was warranted to throw just the right
light on the pages of Joe's book as
he sat hunched up in his favorite chair
reading. Other times it would serve
10 illuminate the cunning new bridge
table which had been another Of her
recent purchases. Julie and May and
Peggy were coming in for a game that
afternoon and she would for once have
her lighting just right. That was an
other thing; she'd have to get some
candy; you can't play bridge all aft
ernOon without something to chew on.
That mc3nt another 60 cents. Helen
toek Ga a"nts out of the fuel till. In
Place Of The money used she wrote a
couple of l. o. US. All the tills con.
tsined 7. o. Us. And pay day was
not set. The budget box seemed to
be IN a muddle.
Helen put on her hat and coat and
went out 10 do a bit Of marketing.
As the food till was practically empty
and the contents OF her purse low, she
took a bill for the meat and vege-
tables She paid for the candy, Sc
iecfing 1t with a view TO what the
girls hked-chocolates for Peg minis
for lille. jordan almonds for May.
On the way home she ran in TO see
Aunt Alice for a moment.
''Well, hOw's the budget behaving?"
as'-rd her aunt.
Helen colored. Rather unruIy some
times I'm afraid" she confessed
You'll need a firm hand and
steady head" Aunt Alice, stout, gray
and calm. looked ar the girl while her
capable hands continued to keep her
erochet hook flying. Il never tried the
ssidset system myself I just take
vsiatever your uncle Ed sees fit 10
hanss out to me when Saturday night
cores And make 1t do. You've had
q fine Business education, Helen, and
t,ro veo,s NJ nracticaI exnerianca IN
a, Office Figures shouIdn,t bother
Won any. Or Joe. either. While we're
talking of money, l wonder II you
want TO give something toward Mr..
AMI Mrs. Warren's anniversary pres
ent. They're going 10 celebrate their
gnlheB wedding The friends are GO
ing to put together and get them
radio set"
How much shall ] give, Aunt
Alice"
That's Just as you feel. Most eY-
erybody gives a dollar at least. But
less will do"
Helen opened her purse. She had
known the old couple all her life. She
did NOT want TO seem stIngv Her
pnrse contained lust two One-dolIar
hills. She took Them both out and
laid them on the table. "One is from
Toe and one from me" she said.
smiling
Che ratur,ad bona ys-v .bo,ot,trI
xk.hon ,a, day came and thev again
rardenished the budget box she would
mn, nor foot down hard on such cas-
mai expenditures as she had been
making And she'd see that Toe aid
ukewise
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