The Washington times., 1938-12-08
NORRISES FIND
LOVE POSSIBLE
ON SIS A week
Only Courage Needed,
Famed Writers Say
By TINA MARRANZANO

By TINA MARRANZANO
Love and $25 a week can bring
the same happiness to a young
married couple today as it did FOL
her 80 years ago, Kathleen Norris
brilliant novelist. declared today
Tall and stately with smart
black crepe frock setting of the
beauty of her pure white hair
Mrs. Norris and her author nus
band, Major Charles G.. Norris
reminisced over their early
struggles.
There we're no funds for nurse
maids for her first child, or tele-
phones and other ''luxurieS," she
recalled when she came to New
York with her husband when he
accepted a job at $25 a week.
But could young couples to-
day set up housekeeping and ex-
pect to be happy on $25 a
week?" she was asked.
Eyes," she said. 'They can
If they are willing to sacrifice
comfort and luxury, and strive
to get ahead"
Major Norris interrupted.
"Some of them" he declared,
"don't have the courage to do
without a telephone, a news
paper, and a daily quart Of milk.
They give up too easily"
Mrs. Norris, who experienced al
of this, found luxury the more
fascinating and exciting when II
finally came.
LAUDS MODERN YOUTH
There is nothing wrong with
modern youth, she AYERS. On the
contrary, she regards them as
more independent today than ever
before, and more capable.
There was a time" she said,
"when modern fathers and
mothers were going to the dogs,
and their children paid for their
mistakes. Broken homes, di-
vorces, are the real cause Of
trouble today. When people
Shirk and don't stand up to their
responsibilities, they ca nnot
raise their children to do So"
All her knowledge of life, about
which she writes so prolifically,
was gained through family exper.
fences. Her mother Travelled
across the continent to California
in a covered wagon. There were
six children in the family, three
girls and three boys. There has
been tragedy and joy in her life,
Her sister died, and she adopted
the three motherless children, and
reared them with her son, DR.,
Prank Norris and another adopted
son, Bill Norris.
They're all married now, and
have children, and have banded
together and call themselves 1.-THE
Cousins Club"
AUTHOR OF 81 BOOKS
She watched them grow, learned
their tragedies. sorrows. joys re-
gponsibilitieS and then wrote
about them. Her first novel, was
published coincident with the
birth Of her son. She has just
completed her eth book.
Mr.. and Mrs. Norris will cele'
brate their 30th wedding anniver-
sary in April, Major Norris buys
his wife'S dresses and hats.
"She just will not do it," he
explained, land there Is moth
ing I can do about it. But I do
get a thrill, and have improved
vastly in my taste "
They don't colla5orate on any
stories. But they do discuss their
plots. Major Norris is the author
of Bricks Without Stray" which
came out in September, and many
other books.
Mrs. Norris loves the National
S8p4CA4.
"I have always had tender
spot in my heart for Wasting
ton," she SAID. cts such q
beautiful city. How fortunate
you are to live here, so close
to national and interanl 'onal az
fairs. It must be exciting. A
trip to WASHINGTON is to me q
dessert
Major and Mrs. Norris will re-
turn to their own fireside In
Palo Alto, Cal, on Saturday.
Mrs. Norris will lecture tonight at
Holy Trinity Auditorium, Thirty
sixth and o Streets Northwest, on
"Catholic Books and Catholic
Authors"