The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-08-02
By X
Bell Syndicate.-WNU Features.

TIME trouble with Helen
Johnson is that she won't
L accept the inevitable.
She hates the conditions of
her life, and yet she can't
seem to find any way of es-
cape. So many women are in
her position now that it seems
worth while to quote her let
ter.
Il married at 20. six years ago."
writes Helen. Lewis, my husband,
is two years older; he is now with
the army in France, but before the
war he made a good living as a con-
tractor and builder. He worked with
his father. and now that he is away
l live, with my two little children.
with his father and mother.
Lew was happy hal I should
come to them. when he went away.
almost a year ago. The lease on our
apartment had expired. we could
find nc other place. and this roomy
country house seemed ideal. Domes-
tic help simply doesn't exist in this
neighborhood. I was worn out when
we came here, and expected a rest.
Instead. nothing is right. My
father-in-law is a fine old man. but
so close that a light left burning or
a faucet left running will give him
a chance to scold for hours. l use
too much soap in the baby's bath;
I leave good gravy and potato on
my plate; I think my children have
to have fresh clothes every day.
What Way Out?
LAS for my mother-in-law; she
works all day. cooking, cleaning,
gardening. She adores the children,
loves to have them with her. but
her attitude toward me is quietly
critical. Wouldn't I rather buy an
other bond for Lewis Jr. than buy
a dress? What r my plans when
Lew m home? Isn't it better for
little people not to talk at all at
meals? This means Sonia. for little
Lew doesn't talk yet.
Il drive myself almost crazy all
day trying to think of a way out.
and lie awake at night planning it.
But it seems impossible. Living
space is at a premium. 1t would
mean that I get a job. and what Of
my children? Here I have no ex-
penses whatsoever. my husbands
parents even buying the children's
clothes and paying doctors bills. Do
you suppose there is a nursery. in
the city, where I could put the baby,
If I tried to keep Sonia with me-"
It is a pity, Helen. that a minis
tering angel can't appear to you.
and say to you that your destiny is
to remain where you are. and that
dire misfortune and evil days will
follow upon your being anywhere
else. Such a visitation would impress
you. you would awaken from a
dream, face facts. settle down into
the life you are living. and find in il
not only content and usefulness. but
a deeper happiness than you have
ever known.
Your husband is enduring far
harder conditions than you are. and
he has no way Of escape. Millions
of other men and women in the
world are facing situations that they
thought. a few years ago. utterly
i~nsufferable.
Change Would Harm All.
No conditions remain insufferable,
the minute we decide to accept
them, make the best Of them. i'm.
prove upon them. Your husbands
people have made you welcome:
they pay your bills; they love your
children. That the old man is thrifty
is perhaps a good training for you;
these aren't the days to waste soap.
waste gravy and potato. waste
effort washing and ironing. AS for
your mother-in-law. she sounds like
a fine and useful and generous wom-