Milford chronicle., 1937-10-08
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BY TreIIa Dick

please give me quarter to buy
some wire, Dad" Ted Weston said tC
his father, one evening.
Automatically, his father reached
into his pocket. For your air
plane?" he asked.
mo. I'm working on something
else" Ted Answered.
Mr.. Weston handed over the quar-
ter, and returned to his paper.
Mrs. Weston, on the other side of
the table, looked thoughtful.
why didn't he finish the air
plane?" she wondered to herself.
why are the children always asking
for money, and never show anything
they maker"
Only that day, Julia, two years old
er than Ted, had asked for money
to buy yarn and needles, so she could
learn to knit. Yet the week before
she had been very busy weaving a
beaded headband.
I'm sure she didn't finish II"
thought Mrs. Weston. I'm going UP
to the attic, tomorrow, to see about
some of these things"
A little hunting about in the attic
playroom next morning confirmed
her worst fears.
Here are things they started years
ago." she groaned. II wonder II
they've ever finished single thing.
o, how could have been so care
less and inattentive! What habits
they have built up"
She stood in deep thought for some
time, then hurried to the basement,
where she obtained two large boxes.
She labelled each of them "Unfnish-
ed Business, and filled them with
material she found about the play
room. After school, that afternoon,
she called the children to the attic
and showed them the boxes.
what on earth?" Ted stuck his
head into his. "Where'd you find all
the old junk, Mons? Look! here's a
boat l started to make when / was
in the fourth grade"
Look at this scrap book" cried
Julia. 81 started that years ago, for
crippled children"
II want you to think what those
boxes represent" Mrs. Weston said
seriously. "In the first place. there's
quite a money outlay. But far more
than that. is the wasted
effort on your part See all the things
you've started. and given up. Think
Of the weakness it shows"
The children looked abashed, and
said nothing.
"I'Il tell ,you@ my plan" their
mother went ON briskly. "All the
.hings there that you have really
1utgrown, you may give to the Or
1hanage or Salvation Army. But
you have started this year
want finished before you start any
hing else"
"It's a big order" sighed Ted. be-
ginning to sort the things.
YES" his mother said cheerfully.
Weeks later, Mr.. and Mrs. Weston
we're invited to the attic, for an "ex-
libition".
ut looks like bazaar" exclaimed
drs. Weston, surveying in pleased
the orderly array of finished
rticles.
Come and see my radio, Dad"
allied Ted
II have six presents ready for
christmas" Julia said proudly.
I'm going to keep the rest of the
hings. | don't think I'll ever start
mother bit of sewing. as long as
i've; l don't like it. But its fun to
nit; look at the wash-cloth made"
I'm through collecting bugs and
Ted declared. Il like max
lg things. It's worth the trouble
We had, to find out what | like, and
hat I don't like to do"
And to find there is satisfaction
! finishing what you start, whether
ou like it or not" said his mother.
From now on, I'm going to think
vice before l start anything, but II
start it. I'm going to finish il" Julia
II am, too" Ted said. "See there!" :
e pointed to the Unfinished Busi-
sss" boxes, standing upside down. !
Mines going to be in. that position
] the time"