204

WHEN WE ARE OLD

Ere we are old, let each one give Their hours in learning how to live, Then we shall meet with ready heart, At noon, the message come depart; Or feel our latest days consoled,

By God's great love-when we are old.

HEY had a peculiar

'50s-in those goo

called it by pet and

as "White Dog," "Blu

Cat."

When a man had

month and received h

know how much he wa

He would go home

say, "Supper is ready. would reply, "until I I have." Then he w out in three piles. "White Dog" had forty "Blue Pup" thirty-six c

206

WILD CAT MONEY IN THE '50s.

Cat" seventy-three cents discount. His wife would call him again to supper, but he was not ready. He would commence figuring out discounts, while his wife, impatiently waiting, would say, "Why don't you come to supper!"

The supper would get cold, and the tired and brain-worn father had no appetite to eat; but after the discount was counted out, and he knew the worst, and had to abide by it, with depressed feeling he took his accustomed place at the table and tried to make himself agreeable, knowing his wife and children were not to blame for the finan

cial trouble that was coursing through his brain.

He ate a light meal, thinking all the while, discount, discount, discount. After supper he had no inclination to read, but repaired to a corner absorbed in deep thought, thinking if this state of things continued. much longer he would as soon see a general conflagration sweep our land to destruction.