Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 192, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1912 — Page 3

Mandy’s Memorandum

BY ROSE SEELYE-MILLER

(Copyright, 1912, by Associated Literary Press.) Mandy Harrison carefully padded the bottom of the egg crate with papers, slipped the proper square of pasteboard over the padding, put the egg filler In place, and mechanically dropped the great creamy-shelled eggs Into their compartments, carefully discarding those not clean, imperfect In shell shape, and those that were small. “Two dozen unavailable!” she sighed as she dropped the last perfect egg in place. “Two dozen not fit to send, and sixteen, seventeen dozen and eleven that are.” She paused thoughtfully. "It'll take two or three days to get enough to finish filling the case. Hens aren’t laying so good now, all want to set or have chickens, and I’m owing installments on ‘most everything!” Mandy caught up a scrap of bent cardboard, which had slipped from amongst the papers, discovered that it was a picture of herself, which had succumbed to the attack of some infant visitor. She began to scribble. Installments, I’ve got to pay: Father’s coffin ?1-,®® Doctor’s bill !-®® Ditto on shoes for Sammy 1-0® Ditto on wine for I®® ghlnglaa Putting 5ame0n.7......• .•.• •• • .1-®® $6.00 "Dear, dear!” she sighed. “The eggs will only net enough to pay those things, not a cent over, even if I get twenty cents for them, and likely’s not they won’t fetch more than eighteen cents a dozen.” Mandy stared at the list before her, but the items remained fixed, not one vanished under her severe scrutiny. “Well, take it, take it all —you old figures you!” then turning the card she began writing on the other end of it. Things I want: I want a new dimity dress with pink rose-buds in it. T want a big ribbon for my hair. I want a pair of stockings, absolutely whole. A pair of pumps with high heels. A piece of chiffon to fix my old hat j I want Jim Patterson to come back. She wrote furiously, punctuating each item with a decisive period at the end, indulging herself just once in her bare life the luxury of mute expression. She paused after re-reading, fiushedsto the heavy waves of her dark hair, gave the carboard a vicious twist which rent it in two and fiung it aside, crushed the remaining egg fillers into the unfilled space of the crate, gathered up her baskets, and rushed down cellar. She came up with a pan of potatoes, which she proceeded to make ready for dinner. So busy was Bhe with her thoughts of the last item on her list, that she forgot everything else; lost in the remembrance of her simple happy life, before her father had died and Jim Patterson had gone away. Jim had come to see her as naturally as the morning sun shone into the kitchen window, but—well, Jim had gone to the city to advancp his fortunes. Jim had written, but his letters were not a bit like Jim, and finally sbetf had stopped answering them, not because she had ceased to care, but because she cared too much and felt too proud to continue what seemed to her to be a one-sided correspondence. Mandy’s face flushed, and Bhe peeled the potatoes fiercely. flung them into their rinsing with a splash that splattered the waterover her face and on to the clean floor beside her. “Well, for the mercy’s sake, Mandy Harrison!” chided a voice from the doorway. "What spije you got against those potatoes? The way you’re punishing them, one would think you’d a mortal grudge against them!” Good, fat Mrs. Morris rolled into the kitchen, drew a chair near the egg crate, sat down and lifted her basket to her ample lap. “L’ve Just got a fit of the tantrum grumps,” Mandy explained lucidly. ••You’ve been crying,” Mrs. Morris accused aghast, for she had never seen the brave, high-spirited Mandy cry. “You’ve never made a fuss about anything.” “I’m not cryrng—it’s just the water splashed into my face,” Mandy retorted. plunging the potatoes into the kettle of boiling water with a dash. Mrs. Morris, noting the surging color in the girl’s cheeks, shifted her gaze to the. basket she held, saying gently, “I’m wondering, Mandy, if it isn’t about time you’ll be shipping a crate of eggs. I’ve a few here I don’t know what to do with, ’nless you’ll Jet me tuck them into your box here. You can help me with my new dress. Mandy.” "I’ll help you with your dress,” Mandy responded warmly, “but you Just trade your eggs out for groceries. I ship mine because I just have to have the money to pay my installments. If I ever do get things paid. I’ll never get anything more that way —though it has been awful good of the trades people to let me pay by Jlttles; but there’s never a cent ahead —never!” “There will be.” Mrs. Morris assured comfortably. “Now I’m too

penurious to pay for catting my dress, so I*ll Just slip these eggs into the crate. You’re Just bom to cat and fit."- ‘ ’ She stooped heavily, as she cautiously slid the eggs into the fillers, and after the last space was filled, ■he caught up the tom photograph, upon the back of which Mandy had made her memorandum, and tucked it well down in the crate to tighten a slight looseness, which might tend to an undue shaking of the eggs. “There —that’s as tight as Deacon Pettybutturn’s purse strings. Now you nail it up and I’ll have Hiram take it along to town this afternoon.” “You’re an angel,” Mandy declared rapturously as she caught the ample figure in her young arms and squeezed It vigorously. “IU cut your dress this very day while mother takes hot nap.” “Hoggings like that can't be called real Mrs. Morris gasped, “but they’re mighty warming to the heart.” On the following Saturday Mandy received an astounding check for her eggs, and a brief letter of explanation: - ■ “Dear Madam — . “Your eggs are of such fancy quality I have closed them out to special customers, and have contracted for all you can send in future. Guarantee a price as fancy as the eggs themselves, etc.” Mandy gazed at the check. Twelve dollars! Why. that’s forty cents a dozen! I’ll be able to buy everything, for mother and Sammy!" According to her custom she began making swift figures on a scrap of paper. She crossed out items and replaced them with others, until she had a list, the amount of which tallied with the face of the amazing check. “See, mother!” Mandy cried, racing into the room where her mother lay, propped in a big chair with many pillows. “See! My check, my letter and my list!” .... Mrs. Harrison smiled at the girl’s bright chatter, took the check limply, raised herself a little, read the letter and sat upright, then she caught the memorandum Mandy had prepared: “But daughter!” she protested, wipplng her eyes, “there Isn't single thing for yourself—you’ve Jußt got to get some things for yourself!" “I will,” replied Mandy promptly, “next time. I’m going to buy up the neighborhood eggs, and sell them fancy; I’ll be a bloated bondholder before long, and you’ll see the ribbons and things I’ll buy mysqjf, but you’re going to have a hammock and a few thingß you need before I begin to luxuriate.” Mandy kissed her mother ecstatically. “It’ll be Just heaven to have you around again.” Mandy drove Into town that afternoon, spending her money happily, though she did shed tears when the doctor refused further, payment for his services.

“Everybody is so good,” she murmured, as she started down the main street towards home. She was halted by the railroad tracks, the evening passenger train having rolled in. Mandy always liked to watch the train and the people who traveled upon It. She was frankly interested in the drift of people who went past her on the sidewalk Just beyond the road where her horse was halted. Suddenly across her vision rose the figure of a man, like, yet unlike the one of whom she had long dreamed. The man caught her look, paused, stepped forward, then hurried to the buggy where the girl sat dazedly looking at him. “This Is surely my lucky day!” cried Jim Patterson’s well-known, well-loved voice. “I’m going home with you if you’ll let me Mandy.” Jim dropped a bundle into the buggy, thrust his suit case under the seat, and located a big box in front. “Why, Jim!” Mandy gasped, as he masterfully caught the lines from her limp hand, giving that hand a warm pressure as he did so. He chirruped to the horse until that willing creature took a pace beyond anything within his recent experience. Not until the vacant country road was reached did Jim permit the slackening of the horse’s pace. "Now, Mandy,” said Jim. winding the lines over the dashboard, allowing the horse to drive himself, “I want to know why you stopped writing to me. I thought you’d forgotten me.” “I didn’t forget—” Mandy stammered, “but I thought—” "You didn’t have any reason to think. You know I’m no writer. I’m Just dumb before a sheet of paper, but I’m not tongue-tied. Say, I've got a present for you, and I hope you’ll like It .for ’twas bought to your own order.” Jim fofaged for the great bundle. “Look here!” He unrolled before Mandy’s astonished gaze, a piece of ehimmering white silk, scattered and bordered with the most delicate design in pink rose buds. “And here’s a pair of pumps.” “They’re white!” cried Mandy,” as she touched the dainty things tenderly. “This box of stuff a saleslady I know packed up for me. I told her I wanted the sort of a real lady would want for her wedding outfit.” Jim laughed happily. “Say, Mandy! , “How did you ever know, Jim?” Jim’s face became grave as he drew from his pocket a bit of torn cardboard. .piecing it together carefully. "Do you remember when that picture was taken?” “Yes.” she quavered, “but I don’t know how you ever got hold of it-” Then a revealing flash came to her. "Oh! ’twas Mrs. Mpnrts! . She stuffed 'that in to tighten the fillers in the egg crate.” “ Twas Providence." said Jim. “Tve done Just great and though I don't very often unpack the eggs, I did chance on that crate, thank heaven!"

Pretty Straw Hat Suitable for Either Late Summer or Fall

Photo, copyright, by underwood & underwood, N. Y.

A black empire straw hat with facing of black moire. The brim slashed on the side. The hat 1b trimmed with wings which are visible through the opening in the brim.

DRESS HAIR TO SUIT FACE

One of the Most Important Points to Remember In Arranging the Coiffure. I will not go so far as to say that “artistic hairdressers are born, not made,” Bays M. Calle, the well-known coiffeur, in the July Strand, but let me hasten to say at once, therefore, that the arrangement of the hair Is a study—not an accident, as it would seem to he regarded by those who have not studied the art of the coiffeur. For example, if a woman is endowed by nature with a long face—that Is to say, a face longer than that of the average woman —there is one golden rule that she must alwayß bear In mind when arranging her hair — namely, to do it as artistically full at the side as possible—always, of course, taking care not to overdo the fulness. Again, the woman with what I think may bqst be described as “a round face” will be wise to, keep the fulness of her hair at the side within bounds, and to dress her hair in front as high as she reasonably can, thereby adding that length to her face which she lacks. One more golden rule. The woman with a suggestion of an oval face should, as far as possible, endeavor to preserve that suggestion of “ovalness” by dressing her hair “ovally.” Many years’ experience has proved to me that, beyond all manner of doubt, a woman may make or mar herself by the manner in which she has her hair dressed. To the average French woman this remark will surely come more or less as a truism, for your modern French woman possesses more truly artistic instincts in this direction than the average English woman, who all too seldom studies the fbrmatlon of her face when giving directions for the dressing of her hair.

Brims Sweep Upward.

Milinery grows more and more entrancing every week. Several quite fresh lines of expression have been struck, and a much more reasonable attiude is observable in every way. The favorite upward sweep now is taken from a little to one side of center front, and is carried to an exceeding length, and usually finishes rather sharply. It will be gathered from this line that this is no casual uplifting of a brim, but a specially constructed shape.

Pretty Wedding Gift.

One of the most appreciated wedding presents of a recent bride was an attractive basket containing six glasses of assorted jellies. The glasses were daintily wrapped in white crepe paper and the basket had been treated to a coat of white enamel paint, while the handles were tied together with a bqjff of White ribbon through which was thrust a tiny spray of artificial orange blossoms.

Corded Weaves Coming.

It is i said on good authority that corded weaves will be popular In the autumn. These new ribbed fabrics will include materials so light in weight as to be suitable for dress draperies and heavier ones adapted for suits, outer wraps and trimmings.

Rose Parasol.

The rose parasol Is one of the novsltlps of the season. This Is made of taffeta ill a lovely pink, and It is entirely covered with scallops, the edges of which are slightly gathered to reMinbb> rose petals.

FROCKS ALL EASY TO PACK

By No Means the (.east of the BlessIngs of the Btyles That Mark the Present Season. Let us rejoice and be glad that our garments this year are all “pack&ble.” The tub frock is a delectable thing that embraces materials of all sorts, and it can be bought very cheaply, especially when it is half made, which means that you have merely to run up the back of it with your machine after you have purchased It. Lingerie robes, sweet little frocks of Shantung with colored embroidery, muslin garments, and the others of delaine, linen and zephyr, are all alike in certain details. are narrow and they are flat, they will pack without creasing and they take up about as much room In a traveling case as a full grown bath towel. Many of the cheapest stuffs are among the prettiest—take, for example, striped or checked zephyr. Some of the checks are quite quaint in - black and white, combined with lines of blue and green, rose and green, mauve and gray, green and beige, the four tones being arranged together like a duster check. Stripes are effective in shaded lines of color, with threads of white. The popular Ottoman effects are also Bhown In this material in fine or pronounced stripes of color on white.

PRETTY PEPLUM BLOUSE

Pintucked batiste was used to build this pretty waist which buttons down the front with small white crochet buttons. An Irish lace collar finishes the neck and straps of Irish lace cross Val insertions and pintucking on the sleeve. The peplu is edged with lace.

Lace-Trimmed Vests.

Dainty under vests of very light* weight cotton are edged at the top and aroundthe armholes with a raffle of fine valenclennea lace. These are not at all expensive and are soft and pretty enough to take the place of .tiie more expensive silk nndervest

GOOD JOKES

REAL OPTIMISM.

“What a grand old world this tot Have you ever seen a more perfect day than this?” "Has your salary been raised T“ "No.” “New boy at your house T” "Oh, no, nothing like that." “Perhaps you have received word that you are heir to a fortune?” “Nothing of that kliid has happened to me.” “Perhaps you have written a play that somebody has accepted for production?” “I’m not a writer. Why do you make such a suggestion?” “I’m Just trying to figure* out why you think the world is so grand and the day so beautiful.” “Oh, you’re one of those who can’t understand why one may be optimistic without having Borne material reason for it, eh? -By the way, I’ve Just sold my house for $2,500 more than I paid tor it eight months ago.”

Explanatory.

“Mrs. Twickham can read one of the most learned papers before her literary society you ever heard.” “Pshaw! Everybody knows Mrs. Twickham hasn’t a thimbleful of brains.” “I’m not talking about her brains. I said she could read a very learned paper before her literary society, and so she can, Professor Twickham writes all her essays.”

A Lifter.

“Of course,” Bald the energetic campaigner, “you understand that I am for the uplift of the people.” “Yes,” replied the blunt citizen. “But I’m not sure you don’t regard the people somewhat as You do the elevator man. He is always going back and forth to uplift somebody, but he never gets a chance to get off anywhere on his own account."

Further Instructions.

Judge (to jury) Have you agreed upon a verdict? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty of theft, as charged the Indictment? Foreman —We have not yet reached a verdict, your honor. I missed my pocketbook In th& night and I would respectfully ask that each Juror be searched.

SLIGHT MISTAKE.

Guest (in cheap restaurant) —Here, waiter, this napkin is dirty. Waiter—Beg pardon, sir. It merely got folded the wrong way, sir.

Ma Goose Revised.

Jack Spratt could fry no fat When the convention met. His friends agree 'tls likely be Will not an office get.

A Strenuous Exhorter.

“I understand you have a very powerful preacher at your church, Mrs. Scadswad.” “Yes, indeed. Dr. Plumply is very eloquent.” “Does he thunder in his perorations?" “Does he? Why, the way that man pounds the Holy Book is almost a sacrilege.”

Budding Humorist.

"Jinx’ daughter bids fair to become ■ humorist.” “That so?” “Yes, I was visiting there last night and I told her that she had her mother’s voice and her father’s features, and she asked me if I thought suicide ■ sin.”

Irresistible.

“However did you reconcile Adele and Mary?” ✓ “I gave them a choice hit of gossip and asked them not to repeat it to each other.” —Fliegende Blaetter.

Hiding His Identity.

“Surely that old tank I saw at the meeting with you the other night is not a temperance advocate?” “Not at aIL He was trying to disguise himself in sober colors.”

It’s Advantage.

“Do you think it is the right step to take to put ball and chain on convicts?”' A v "Well. I think it adds weight to On steps taken."

Sounds Like It.

"What’s a superman, pa?" “The kind they take on at theaters » do the yelling, mj son."

Tried 'Em All.

The busy housewife who believes that plenty of hind work never hurtsf anybody was laid up with a bad cokL when her maid left, so she asked her husband to go down to the registry offlee about another. He started at ten o’clock in the* morning and returned at three worm and tired. "What’s the matter, my love?" asked the wife solicitously as be sank. Into a chair beside her bed. “Were> there no servants at the officer’ “Yes, heape of ’em,” replied he, with, a groan; “but, unfortunately, they'd! all worker ror uS hefOfer"— Answerar

THE REASON FOR IT.

He —It’s strange you member* of tb» Vassar alumnae don’t hold class re* unions. She —Not at all. You may as wan ask a woman her age as to ask her to acknowledge what year she graduated In.

Leader of the Never Worry s.

At a railway station an anxious* woman, encumbered with numerous* bags and packages, made so many inquiries of one of the officials that heturned to the ticket agent with th# 1 question: “Who is that woman who has bothered me twenty times in the last IHMminutes for fear her train will ceil away without her?" “She’s heading a party of delegates! going to a meeting of the American; League of Never Worry Clubs,” re*plied the ticket man. The C. G. The chorus girl '‘"Works” every night And has an awful Appetite.

He Didn’t Like Either.

“John, we must go back home in*l stantly.” “There you go. Can’t we start fbrj a couple of days in the country with-) out you worrying?’’ “But we have come ofT and left that cat and the parrot with nothing to) eat." “Don’t let that bother you. Maybe| the cat will eat the parrot.”

A Natural Mistake.

"What a magnificent row of chry-i santhemums Just above the hedge j yonder.” “Laws, ma, them’s the heads of the. football players sitting Just hack of! the hedge on a bench.”

Halting at a Formality.

"Is your wife going into active poU-j tics?" > “I don’t think so,” replied Mr. Meek*! ton. “I don’t believe anything could; induce her to take that new SSO hat' of her* and throw it into the ring.”

INNOCENT.

Mr. Nearsight—Waiter, is there uy soup on this bill of fare? Walter —I guess not, sab. I ain't* spilled none around this hyah table. t „ - mm While Bhe Shops. He’s standing on a corner—- > Ton’d think he’s there for me; But do not be a scorner— f He’s waiting for bis wife. • Only Possibility. Wife—My husband la not well. Tm. afraid he’ll give ont. Wife’s Mother—Well, he may givw out. He certainly never gives In.— Town Topics. No Harmony. • "Win you accompany os if we stag a round?" -Can’t on this. It's a square piano.*