The Coolidge examiner., 1934-10-26
"IT COULD BE
WORSE"
N
By r. II. WILKINSON
6 nsu syaa,=a,s-wNU Services.
i EABEL WILLIAMS IS an op-
t[ulwffc furrsou.

a II AAAAaAa ~ 4 AAaAFAesaAAHF ~ hAss Nlf
M amls'ie person. ',,.
she IS ap; TO present a CHEEKY little
smile aud say oh. well, 1t could
De- worse
Which really has q Frightening
effect on the atmosphere and Gre
ates q more hopeful outlook FOR the
future.
However. OK late this III could
be wor-c' business has become
more or less automatic with Mabel.
She issues the statement in rath-
er an unconscious manner. no mat
ter how gloomy the circumstances
and somehow sou get the impress
sion * has become habit
You can depend upon her saying
Il when you have concluded reciting
what sou believe 10 be tale OF uu-
eQualed misfortune.
You and yourself waiting for the
words 70 escape her lips, steeling
yourself against them. thankful
when they are over.
Bill Williams. Nabels husband
has come TO realin, this more and
more during the past few months
~ their married life.
BIZ ls himself pessimlstlc.
lie Is ever hopeful for better
times and brighter future.
And during the days OF prosper
ity. when business was booming
and orders were rolling in faster
than they could D. taken care OF
BIN would welcome the sound OF
Mabel saying. 1T could be worse. "
whenever be came home with tale
az some minor misfortune that actu-
ally had no effect upon his output,
one way or the other.
But when the depression victim
ized Bill along with hundreds of
Others. when orders ceased flowing.
when business dropped or to the
lowest ebb in history and life be-
came a constant round Of worrying
and frcttIng and wondering which
way 10 turn. Mabel's '1t could be
worse" wasn't 50 eonsollng.
Physically exhausted mentally
woary. Blll would drag his tired
feet into the house late at night.
hop deJectedly into a chair and
unburdcu himself on Mabel with a
bitter tale Of the hard luck Ia
which be was playing. aad prcdlc-
tlons o. a hopeless future.
Mabel would wait until rhe tragic
tale was ended. smile brightly and
say "0h sell. Il could be worse"
She might just as well have said
Il know you must talk about it.
Bii, aud I'm willing 20 listen. but
don'g expect the 20 believe there's
anything really wrong"
That was the trouble with Mabel
She never seemed 10 attach much
importance 10 things be had 20 say
relative 10 hls business.
The attention she gave him when
be talked was dutlful attention,
a preoccupied polite attention.
Her lt could be worse" was
stereotyped
Perhaps. I'm told himself. it was
his own fault.
Perhaps he talked too much
about business. seemed 10 display
no interest 10 other matters OF a
domestic nature. things that would
BE- of interest 10 Mabel.
Eut despite this admission ne
wished heartily size would inject
a new stock phrase into her conver-
saiion
He wished she could .hink OF
something else 10 say besides 1t
could be worse"
For Bill wanted sympathy; want
ed the satisfaction OF having some
one agree with his ideas.
II wasn't long after this that Dill
came home one night and admitted
that he was licked.
"I'n never pull through" he said
TO Mabel.
Why, there isn't enough money
in the cash box TO pay the rent.
which Is two weeks overdue. And
I've turned OF every one in the Of
fee but Nora. the stenographer. II
something doesn't break pretty
soon, wen 70 TO the wall"
Mabel smiled at him and nodded |
In a vague sort OF way, and said.
"oh. well. Ii could be a lot worse,
Bill"
BIZ ground his teeth. and dug his
nails into his palms until the blood |
appeared.
How" he gritted, "in HI could
II be worse:
Mabel looked at him, startled.
She sensed the irritation In his
tone, saw the look of fury in his
eyes, and wondered what she had |
done 10 provoke such an outburst |
OF temper in her usually mild-man-
nered husband.
"Why, Bill" she expostulated, |
whatever is the matter? Please
don't tell me that you're allowing q
few minor business -roables to ruin |