The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-12-09
Music Hath Charms
By OSCAR MEADOWS
ASSOCIATED Newspapers.D
tWNU Servicel

pause at the end of the street to
wave to his wife: "She actually
seems to try to think up ways to
spend money" he thought grimly,
Emusic! What nonsensel She want
ed house and l bought her one,
now she's got to be satisfied"
At the station he bought paper
and paid rs cents for two high-class
magazines, but he did not read. In
stead he stared moodily at the fly
ing landscape.
"a wonderful morning, Brown"
said a tired looking man of 35 years,
his eyes upon a cottage with a steep
tiled roof of Chinese blue. 81 sup
pose this is an old story to you, but
to me. after the dusty years in the
city, it seems miracle of beauty.
You've lived here ten years, haven't
your" =
YES" Rogers tone was filed
with importance. "You see, my
wife was determined to get out of
fiat-life. She saved and scrimped,
so determined was she to put every
penny towards a home. l like to
live well. l earn the money and l
propose to spend it. She watched
the advertisements and ran about
constantly wearing the shabbiest of
clothes" Rogers fat face was petu-
liant. "And finally she found our
present home. 1 wasn't a bit
anxious to tie myself up with pay
ments and l hated to be far from
the downtown theaters, but I gave
in to her. believe in being good
to women and"
Ben Miller looked at him in sur
prise. But, aren't you glad that
she coaxed you into buying? Your
house must be worth much more
than you paid for ito"
cts doubled" returned Roger
smugly. "And the children have
improved vastly in the fresh air
and freedom to play. I'm saving a
tidy sum each month now that I've
no rent to pay. often tell Susie
it's lucky for her that she got such
good provider."
have still been paying rent"
"Oh, that's woman's place to
save. She's getting extravagant,
too. She's determined to have a
radio. Says the children like music.
laughed at her but l really felt
like scolding her"
Across the aisle were two women
talking in high, affected voices.
Eyes, indeedy," shrilled the one
nearest the window, II just told him
to get down to earth. He thought
if we spent Sunday in the suburbs
I'd be interested in flowers and pets
and all that and let him buy house
there and have Ethelinda home
from school. Not me. Let the girl
stay in boarding-school, where other
people look after her. l want to be
in my cozy fiat, where there's no
responsibility. I'm out every night
somewhere, but he thinks just be-
cause he's on the road that l ought
to sit in the house knitting"
II should say not" returned the
other, looking at herself critically
in the mirror in the top of her
square purse. Ralph thought I
ought to pay only 500 for my spring
suit; said that was more than he
could afford. Know what l did,"
WHAT" queried the other, gig
Cling and shifting her gum.
Thanked him for the hundred,
bought one that cost SITS and
charged it. How's that for manag-
ing?"
'The old days of sitting at home
saving and sewing have passed.
work half-days downtown and get
my own money. My husband hates
it, and wants me to stay home and
live on his salary, but why should
1? This way I use all his money
for our expenses and have my own
for pocket money, and then l can
always tell him that I earn my liv-
ing. If kept Ethelinda home I'd
be tied down constantly. He pays
her school bills, so l should worry"
did you hear those women,
Miller?" whispered Roger.
II was mighty thankful when my
wife consented to help me save so
we could get start. If we'd start
ed a home when we were first mar
ried we would have it paid for now,
but liked to see her wear pretty
things and enjoy herself. It was
my fault" Miller put in Loyalty, but
his companion noticed the worry
lines about his eyes and the dispirit-
ed droop of his thin shoulders.
Nov she's delighted with her little
house."
my wife wants a RADIO" muir
INJURED Roger forgetting that he
had said this before.
Roger thought of the gold-banded
cigars in his case. Susie, now that
their house was paid for, never COM
mented on his expensive habits. He
frequently stayed in town to 90 to
theaters with his clients. He
thought, too, of the 500 suit so glib
ly called Cheap" by the over
dressed woman across the aisle.
''Why, my wife never paid 500 for
a suit in her life" he said, scowling
at Ben.