MR. SIMPKINS PAYS
i 4* HIS INCOME TAX
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I By ROBERT McBLAIR.
Mr. Simpkins gazed at the portrait
on the wall till bis eyes filled with
tears. It was a portrait ot his father,
Colonel Simpkins, who had four times
been promoted for valor fluring the
Civil AVar and had died bravely on the
field of action. Mr. Simpkins’ throat
ached now for two reasons: First, he
reverenced and adored the memory of
his father; secondly, his age and his
eyes and his game leg wouldn't let him
go to war himself. And a she observed
the martial hearing and uncompromis
ing gaze of Colonel Simpkins he saw.
In Imagination, the kbakl elad lnds of
the new generation marching forth and
crossing three thousand miles of sea to
Tight, maybe die, for liberty.
Mr. Simpkins peered around to make
inre that neither Bess nor John (who
were at the teasing ages of sixteen
«nd seventeen) were where they could
*ee him, then he straightened and
threw his right arm up for a snlute.
But his gouty shoulder twinged, and lie
groaned. He couldn't even salute.
“Damn!" said Mr. Simpkins, and
with his other hand fiercely twirled Ids
white mustachlos.
He turned and limped Into the II
brary and sat down creaklly before the
mahogany desk on which were lying
the blanks for his Income tax state
ment, blanks which he had rather
grumpily got from the Internal Reve
nue officer only that day after lunch
Mr. Simpkins’ Income for 1917 had
amounted to Just about $15,000, and he
had been rather snappy on the sub
ject of taxes ever since he hnd discov
ered that the more Income a man has
the grenter the percentage of It he
pays In taxes. He could think of sev
eral men who, like himself, were mar
ried and had two children, and yet,
although their Incomes were neurly
half of his, they would pay only a
small fraction of the amount he paid.
He gloomily drew the blank nearer
and began Ailing In the Information
that It asked for.
As Mr. Simpkins’ Income wns $15,000
he had to figure out the amounts pay
able on each of the successive smaller
classes of Incomes In order to arrive
at the total due from himself. He
passed over the first class who must
pay taxes, that Is, single men making
aver 1,000. His calculation for mar
ried men then showed up as follows:
First, they pay 2 per cent, (under
the 1016 law) on all Income over
$4,000, deducting $200 for each of their
children under eighteen years. In Mr.
Simpkins’ case this wns $212, which he
put down In the "payable” column.
He saw next that, under the 101"
law, married men pay an additional S
per cent^ on all over $2.000—with th<
same allowance for children. This
added $252 to his “payable" column.
He theu observed I hat for everj
$2,500 Jump In his Income over $5 00C
I he had to pay a Surtax, the percental
growing larger with each Jump. This
was $250 more added to his burden
And on top of all this came an “Ex
cess Profits” tax of 8 per cent, on all
“occupation" Income over $0,000, mak
Ing $720 more.
The total, then, he must pay was four
teen hundred.and thirty-four dollars.
"Whew!" exclaimed Mr. Simpkins
angrily. "There’s young Henry Wil
kins, who married Jake Johnson’s girl,
he tnukes $2,000 and he doesn't pny a
cent, of taxes. I guess this Is his wai
as well as mine I”
Thinking of young Henry Wilkins,
he remembered that Mrs. Wilkins went
every ufternoon to make hnndages for
the Red Cross and that Henry, who
was a lawyer, was aiding the Local
Draft Board with Its questionnaires.
"Well," he admitted to himself,
“that makes a difference.”
He thought next of Judge Willough
by, whose Income was about $8,000.
“He only pays $20," commented Mr.
Simpkins, not quite so angrily this
time; and then a thought struck him
and he sat up rigidly In his chair.
Judge Willoughby’s son had been
drowned on the Tuscanla when It was
submarined with the loss of two hun
dred soldiers.
“Judge Willoughby gave his son to
America," muttered Mr. Simpkins.
He lenned forward suddenly and put
his face In his hands.
For a long time Mr. Simpkins sat
very still In that position. There was
no sound In the library except the
ticking of the tall clock and nu occa
sional trill of laughter from the chil
dren skylarking upstairs. The square
of light on the carpet gradually with
drew Itself through the window, and
first twilight and then darkness settled
In about the quiet, white haired, some
times Irascible old man.
Mr. Simpkins was thinking things
which he would never afterward speak
of, he was thinking things that were
too sacred ever to be put Into words.
But some Inkling of his thoughts may
be found In his rejoinder to Mrs.
Simpkins when that placid lady came
In and turned on the lights, and nsked
him whether he was ready for dinner.
"Judge Willoughby’s only son was
worth as much as fourteen hundred
and thirty-four dollars, wasn't he?"
Mr. Sltnpklns demanded of her.
As his wife, who was not unused to
Ills superficial Irritations, watched him
In mild astonishment, Mr. Simpkins
limped out to the hall and took his
old felt hat and silver-headed cane
from the hat rack. Letting himself out
into the foggy evening, he tapped his
way down to the corner, and mailed his
Income tax statement and check with
his own hanus.
“Now, God be thanked,” said Mr.
Simpkins ns the lid clanked shut over
his missive, “I can do this m#ch fot
my country, anyhow."
OBSERVING THE BUSY BEES
One Writer- Wonders Who By Right
Should 9e the Teachers and
Who the Learners.
Sitting for hours idle in the shade
of the apple tree, near the garden
hives, and under the aerial thorough
fares of those honey merchants,
sometimes when the noonday heat
was loud with their minute industry,
or when they fell in crowds out of th#
late sun to their night-long labors, 1
have sought instruction from the
bees and tried to appropriate to mv
I self the old industrious lesson, L.
i Pearsall Smith writes in the New
j Republic.
And yet, hang it all, who by right
should be the teachers anti who the
learners? For those peevish, over
toiled, utilitarian insects, was there
no lesson to be derived from the spec
tacle of me? Gazing out at me with
their myriad eyes from their joyless
factories, might they not learn at
last—might I not finally teach them
—a wiser and more generous hearted
way to improve the shining hours?
OFFICERS NEEDED FOR SHIPS.
The United States is facing a seri
ous problem in the lack of trained
officers for merchant ships. -In this
connection the enlargement of the
ate nautical training schools of
Massachusetts and New York is be
ing urged. Each of these states
maintains a school for officers for
the merchant service, with a training
ship loaned bv the navy. The train
ing ships ai£ two obsolete 1,000-ton
gunboats and it is said that much
larger vessels are needed. So many
ships have been transferr^J to Amer
ican registry since the war began
that the president lias been forced to
suspend the law requiring the officers
of American merchant ships to be
American citizens. As soon as our
new ships begin to put to sea the
shortage will be more acutely felt
than ever.
SAVING TIME.
Mistress—“Ellen, what are you
puttin the flypaper outside the
house for?” Green Girl—“Sure,
ma’am, it gets filled up quicker out
side.”
~ _
WHAT THE
RED CROSS
IS DOING
AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
WOMEN’S WORK DEPARTMENT. ' ^ *
One of the most important branches of Red Cross work which has been
undertaken by the Woman’s Department Is that of providing clothing for
the hundreds of thousands of refugees in the districts that have been devas
tated by the war At present it is the French and Belgian refugees for whom
the appeal is being made. The various pattern companies have published
patterns of the garments, and many of our Red Cross Chapters have taken up
the work of making the clothing.
• fhu Phaiv
1 ni» IS wurji umi •••
ters, or It can be done at home, as the
The garments made must above all
else be durable. It Is useless to send
over articles made from flimsy mate
rials that cannot stand the very hard
wear they will get. For this reason
we are not ashing for secondhand
clothing. Partially worn garment*
should be kept for the poor In this
country, and we should send abroad
only things made of new strong ma
terials.
Materials for outer garments should
be of dark colors. They may be fig
ured, striped or plain colors, prefer
ably black, gray er navy blue—never
red and very UUle pwa. The French
people hare a dielike of bright colors
in clothing, and at this time, when
every family Is In mourning, they
seem particularly inappropriate. Even
the clothing for the little children
should be dark, excepting, of course,
that for the babies. It Is almost lm
possible to get laundry won
properly. There Is no soap to be had.
and little hot water. All theae condt
tlons must be considered In selecting
the materials for the clothing.
There is need for about twice as
much underwear as outer garments,
and this holds true In all ages. There
Is a special need for clothing for the
children from 1 to 8 years of age. If
your local stores do not hare the Red
Cross patterns they may be ordered,
through your Red Cross chapter, of
our supply service at 817 North Broad
wav, 8t. Louis.
Among the most wanted articles
are the following:
Girls' petticoats, made with a waist
attached. McCall pattern 103 A Is the
size for a year old child, 103 B Is for a
2-year-old, 103-C for 4 years old, and so
on up to 103 H for a girl of 14 The
workers may prefer,
material should be flannel, outing
flannel or flannelette, and the color
preferably gray.
Boys’ blouse suits, made of serge or
any very strong warm material, In
gray, blaCk, brown or navy blue. Mc
Call pattern 106-Als for a 4-year-old
boy, and the slaea run up to 106-E for
a 12-year-old.
Pinafores, McCall pattern size 99-A
for a 4-year-old child and 99-B for a
6-year-old. Material black sateen or
checked blue and white gingham.
Girls’ chemise, McCall pattern
110-A for a 6-year-old, size running up
to 110-G for an 16-year-old. Women s
chemise, McCall pattern 162-A for a
,36-inch bust and 162-B for a 38-lnch
bust. The materials should be heavy
unbleached muslin.
Ciiris drawers, Mcuaii pauern iiia
for an 8 year-old, site running up to
111-E for 18 years. Women’s drawers,
McCall pattern 161-A for a 86-incb
waist, 161-B tor a US-Inch waist, 151-C
tor a 80-inch waist and 161-D tor a
34-inch waist. Materials, heavy un
bleached muslin.
For the little ones at the creeping !
age there are two dress patterns
wanted, McCall pattern 90-A being a
6-month else, 80-B for 1 year and 90-C
for 2 years, while 91-A is the slso for
1 year and 91-B for the 2-year-old
child, this pattern having no provision
for a smaller slzs.
Please order by numbers, and re
member that all orders should come
through chapter headquarters to the
Bureau of Supplies.
MRS. EDMUND F. BROWN. ‘
Director of Women’s Work, South
western Division A. R. C., 1617 Rail
way Exchange Building, St. Douls,
Mo. • _ • j-. . ■ ittMMl
New Pencil Hclder.
For persons using pencils almost
continuously a clip has been Invented
to hold one on the hack of the left
hand momentarily when the right hand
is occupied fur other work.
Muscle of the Soul.
We do not get perfect character In
our sleep. It comes to us as muscle
comes, through doing things. It Is the
muscle of the soul.—Henry Drum
mond.
RAILROAD TIME TABLE
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY
South North
8 44 a. rr Huttig 2:66 p. m
10:40 a. m Monroe.1:00 p.m.
local. *
Leaves Arrives
11:25 a. m.. . Huttig 12:30 p.m.
North South
8:17, a. m. Huttig .3:24 p. m
7:00 a.m. Farmerville 4:40 p. m
local, t
12:20 p.m..Huttig 1:45 p.m.
•Arrives Tuesday, Thursday and Satur
day from Farmerville and goes to Mon
roe.
fArrives Monday, Wednesday, and Fri
day from Monroe and goes to Farmer
ville.
LODGE DIRECTORY.
ROWLAND LODGE No. 594 F. & A.
M.meets every second and fourth Satur
day evenings at 7:30 o’clock. Visiting
Masons always welcome.
J. C. Bridges, W. M.
C. A. Berry, Sec’y.
HOWARD CHAPTER, No. 122, R. A.
M.—meets every first and third Thurs
day evening at Masonic hall. Visiting
companions welcome.
C. T. Thompson, H. P.
C. A. Berry, Secy.
ZEDEKIAH, COUNCIL. U. D.. R. &
S. M.—Meets every fourth Wednesday
nigni ui eacn munui. visiting compan
ions welcome.
C. T. Thompson. T. I. M.
C. A. Berry, Recorder.
HUTT1G CHAPTER No. 320, Order of
the Eastern Star, meets every first and
third Friday evening at 7:30 o’clock.
Visiting brothers and sisters welcome.
Mrs. R. E. Ebbs, W. M.
Mrs. L. G. Gibson, Sec’y.
HUTTIG LODGE No. 348 I. 0. O. F.
meets every first and third Tuesday eve
ning. All brethern cordially invited.
A. V. Frost, G.
Harlan Sehon, Secy.
HUTTIG REBEKAH LODGE No. 66.
meets every Monday night at 7:30 o'clock
Visitors are invited.
Mrs. Wilkie Frost, N. G.
Mrs. Murray Maroney, Secy.
SWEET BAY CAMP No. 411 W. 0. W.
meets every first and third Saturday eve
nings. Visitors made welcome.
C. A. McCormick, C. C.
J. C. Bridges, Clerk.
Sweet Bay Circle No. 145, W. C.,
meets every second and fourth Thursday
night at 7:30 o'clock. Visitors are cor
dially invited.
Mrs. L. M. Despain, Guardain.
Mrs. J. (^Bridges, Clerk.
fjOPOO’— I — — 77, , >XOCGCfg<>SOOOCOOiOy»SOCW3e|
SAVING STAMPS
United States Government Baby Bonds
fi
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WHAT ARE THEY?
They are War Saving Stamps.
They are of two kinds—United States Thrift
Stamps (25c each) United States War
Saving Stamps ($4.12 each)
Sixteen U. S. Thrift Stamps plus 12 cents in
cash up to February 1, 1918, will buy a
War Saving Stamp, which when attached
to a War Saving Certificate is guaranteed
by the government to be redeemable on
. January 1, 1925 for $5.00 which is 4 per
cent, compounded quarterly.
The U. S. Thrift Gard is a pocket-sized card
given free to Thrift Stamp purchasers.
The War Saving Certificate is a pocket-sized
\ folder given free to War Savings Stamp
purchasers.
War Savings Stamps are as safe as the U. S.
When Shall I Buy Them?
Buy them now, because the cost increases one
cent every month after January 31st.
The sooner you buy the less they cost.
The price of War Savings Stamps is $4.12 to
January 31st and increases one cent a
month until Dec. when price is $4.23.
BUY
War Stamps
NOW
. It is the patriotic duty
of all who do not fight
to help sustain those
who do. Don’t be a
slacker. Do your bit.
This adverisement is donated to the»War Sav
ings Stamp Gommittee by the Mercantile Department
of the Union Saw Mill Gompany.
HOW TO BUY!
As simple as buying postage stamps.
This is the simplest security ever offered by a
government. Any man, woman, or child
who can save 25 cents can obtain at any
Postoffice or Bank a U. S. Thrift Stamp
and a Gard. This starts you as an inves
tor and puts you behind the government.
. No commissions are charged to you or paid to
any for making sales.
Our soldiers and sailors may give their lives;
your are asked only to lend your money.
Every stamp helps save a life,
Every stamp helps end the war.
WHY Should I Buy Them?
Because—We are at war. Because—The
more we save, the more labor and mater
ial will be available for support of army.
Because—We must have dollars as well as
men in the fight for freedom.
Because—They establish the basis of saving,
which is the key to individual success.
Because—There is no safer investment.
Because—They increase each month in value
B
On Sale at First National Bank and at Postoffice §
There Should be 1000 Baby Bonds in and Around Huttig
5' v(
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