Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE SUN, NEWBERRY, S. C„ MAY 1, 1942 Kathleen Norris Says: Woman s Unseen Power Brightens Lives (Bell Syndicate—WNU Service.) A good mother has the secret of making herself invisible. But the husband who pays little attention to her presence, the son who occasionally hits her temple with a hardcheeked kiss—how often do they think of what she is instead of what she does? MAYBE THIS WILL DO (“Tin Pan Alley is striving to put across a war song to fit tbe Japanese situation.”—News item.) Get back in that kimona! It’s there where you belong; It’s strictly a la bathrobe That you can do no wrong; Get back in that kimona! And face the simple facts: You rate attention only In acrobatic acts. n. Get back in that kimona! And then await your cue: A blare of circus music. The clowns . . . the seals . . . and YOU! Get back in that kimona And take in all the slack! You never looked convincing Save flat upon your back! in. Get back in that kimona— And back into your tights! (We’ll toss you in some barrels For matinees and nights.) Get back in that kimona And grab a parasol!— In any other costume You don’t look right at all. TV. Get back in that kimona— Onto that platform hop! Your act’s done with a ladder And some poor guy on top; Get back in that kimona And hark to our appeals! Your spot—and well you know it— Is there among the SEALS. V. Get back in that kimona And climb up on that wire! (You wanna walk the tightrope— Not set the world on fire; Get back in that kimona! Your era was the time When Albee was in flower And Keith was in hts prime. —Buy Defense Bonds— GAS RATIONING Within a few weeks automobile driving will be “by card only.” It will no longer be a question of where you will go for your Sunday auto trip, but how? • • * Week-end motor trips are to be come short distance affairs, and on any summer vacation trip by sedan a bicycle strapped on the back will be compulsory equipment. Americans have become accus tomed to pile into the old boiler, step on the gas and keep driving until the family took pity or the car hit a tree. “Fill ’er up!” have long been the three most common words in the language. And it is going to be quite an experience for the av erage man to realize that even his detours are being rationed. • • » Guns must get priorities over joy rides and no real American will question the justice of putting bomb ers, tanks and warships ahead of hot brakes, hot dogs and hot radia tors. • • • We have driven by ear, by intui tion, by habit and by orders, but driving by card will be a new ex perience. • * • It will not be a question of how many miles does she give to the gallon, but how many gallons does she gel to the card. • » • “Well,” we can hear mom saying Sunday morning, “where will we go for a ride today?” “Look at the ration card and see,” we can Hear pop reply. “You’ve got it,” mom will reply. "No, I haven’t. I left it right there on the table so you could all make your Sunday plans accord ingly.” “It’s only got two punches left,” sister Susie will observe as she ex amines it. “Then that’s as far as we’ll go,” dad will snap. “How far can we go on two punches?” little Edgar will ask. “That will get us just about enough gasoline for one bathing beach, four all-hots and two argu ments with a motorcycle cop,” dad will explain. • • • And a motorist already has to car ry so many cards there will be se rious complications. He is practi cally a walking card case right now. Once he empties his pockets it is hard to tell whether he is a motor ist or a fortune teller. * * * However, war is war, and from now on most auto trips will be demi- tasse travels. And if you are an autoist disposed to squawk, forget it. Just think about the luck of the poor fellow who just bought a rural tavern, a roadside lunch or one of those tourist camps. Oh, man! —Buy Defense Bonds— “Now we know why the Japs wore their kimonos—to hide something they had up their sleeves,” says Mu riel Cahill. It’s those depressing war dis patches. By KATHLEEN NORRIS HEN you were a small child and read fairy tales, wasn’t the most fascinating situation of all the one in which the prince or prin cess could become invisible at will? To be able to take part, to listen, to see everything that was going on, and yet to be un seen oneself, how intoxicating that prospect was! There were years in my young life when I felt that if a wrinkled, crooked old fairy suddenly did present herself to me, to offer me just one fulfilled wish, that wish in evitably must be for the power to make myself invisible. Years afterward I learned that it is always possible to enjoy that par ticular fairy gift, but to find the fairy one must walk through lonely and sorrowful ways, and pay the fairy’s price of humiliations and sorrows and tears. Humiliations and sorrows and tears, these are such wholesome medicines for us all, such strength ening teachers, such “means of grace,” I wonder why we all dread and avoid them so strenuously. The only worthwhile women in the world are the women who have had long acquaintance with them. But that is an aside. To get back to the fairy gift of invisibility, any woman can have it, if she loves those around her so much that their safety and comfort are her delight, and she is willing to be, in influence, the unseen power in the background of their lives that makes everything smooth and bright. Her Magic Unseen. Good mothers have the secret of making themselves invisible. Some times for years at a time the gentle, kindly, capable, ingenious, tireless, loving woman who is at the head of a family keeps herself and her magic completely unseen. Perhaps there is not too much money in the family, perhaps there are girls and boys of different tastes and ages, a chronically weary and nervous man, an older person, Grandma or Grandpa or Aunt Sally, a temperamental assistant in the kitchen, or no helper at all. All these natures and elements are welded together by Mother, but nobody knows it, because Mother is invisible. What the family sees and feels and enjoys are the smooth ly made beds upon which slips and sheets change themselves by un seen means; the prettily set table with the marigolds or daisies in the glass bowl, the hot soup ready— cream of pea soup for everyone except Jane, who gets her clear soup every night. Newspapers are on hand when they are new, and disappear when they are old; telephone messages are delivered; Tom and Mimsy are helped with homework, sent off to the movies on Saturday with the requisite dimes for sodas. Jane of course may have the living room for her gang Sunday night; Annie may have a day off to go see her sister’s baby; Dad’s mother must have a fresh pot of tea taken ’way upstairs to her room. Of course she’s there all the time, right before their eyes, and of course anyone who looked right at her would see her, comfortably stout in her fifties, getting gray, liking sur- reptitously to finish the crossword puzzles when the children abandon them half-doae, insisting on rubbers, HER OWN CHOICE How often do you think about the comfort of that '‘invisible ,, someone who always manages to have dinner ready on time; to remember that you don't eat this and can’t wear that; to sharpen your pencils, find your rubbers and entertain your unexpected guests? She may be “invisible,’’ going about her work with no thought of reward for her gen erosity, patience and love. It is her own choice to remain in the background. But it should be your ch lice to remember the wife or mother who makes your home a pleasant place. opposed to the banging of doors, and peerless in< the arrangement of a tray for the sick, the adjustment of a hot water bottle, the pressing of a shirtwaist. Chooses to Be ‘Invisible.’ But how much do they really see her, this husband who pays so little attention to her actual presence, but swears and shouts and feels mar tyred if she happens to be absent for an undue hour or two? These sons and daughters who occasion ally hit her temple with a hard cheeked kiss or feed her very soul with a shouted, “Thanks, Mom, you’re a peach!” This grumpy old man or fussy old woman who blinks at her with dissatisfied daily ques tions, “Mollie, you aren’t giving that girl another half-day off, are you? This ain’t the same tea, is it? What ever’s become of that little piller I had for my back? What possessed those children to carry on that way last night?” How often do they look at Mollie, and think of what she is instead of what she does? Not often. No, she’s invisible. And the wonderful part of it is that she has deliberately chosen to be invisible, to sink her life in theirs, to taste for herself the happiness of service, a happiness deeper than any they will ever know. When women write me despairing letters about their tangled affairs; the parents who “misunderstood” them all through girlhood, the first marriage to a man who was “totally incapable of appreciating a good wife,” the second venture with an other man who “does not under stand my little boy and repeatedly favors his own child,” I wonder whether they know how close this magic and mystic power of making oneself invisible is. The power to make all these lives happier, on their terms, not on hers, and to find herself a fulfillment and an interior peace of which she hasn’t even dreamed. The Cause of It All. Half the nervous ills of woman hood, perhaps more than half, come from the miserable inability under which we all suffer to get away from self. Nervous breakdowns and morbidity and even more serious troubles stem from just this one thing. Brooding over mistakes and wrongs, resenting injustices and slights, sometimes a woman who feels that she has just generally made a mess of everything actually slips over the fine borderline be tween normality and insanity, and can’t get back. But the invisible woman is in no such danger. There is always some one she can serve, someone whose life she can make easier, someone for whom she can plan. NEW STYLE TAX One night I read an interesting suggestcn, which was sent to me by Mr. Joseph E. Goodbar. The plan will go to the treasury department, but the idea is simple enough for all of us to understand. He feels that by using a new type of taxa tion, we can not only meet the ex tra demands made by the war, but private industry can be better pre pared to reabsorb people back into civilian life. Mr. Goodbar calls this tax “a pay with added production tax.” He looks realistically at all of us who are taxpayers and says: “We will be required to create an incentive that affects every gainfully em ployed person and every person who receives an income, otherwise some would respond and others would not.” So he suggests that "all of us be taxed 25 per cent on all incom.i from whatever source derived,” but that, “every tax payer able to do so, be allowed to increase his productive effort 25 per cent; and this tax would be paid out of extra emergen cy war production and not by an increase in his normal income.” Just how we are to succeed in getting the opportunity to become more productive has been worked out by him. I shall be very much interested to see what the experts think of his idea. • • • INDIA’S PROBLEM I think the failure to evolve some plan by which India could be given a greater sense of independence and security in the future, has been a great disappointment to many peo ple. One can not help hoping that some new way will be worked out whereby the people of India may feel that the futile belongs more surely to them in their own land. • • • CHINA RELIEF United China Relief is trying to raise $7,000,000 for the work of their participating agencies. China is one of our allies, more than that; China has been a center of interest for many people in this country for many years. I think that some of our citizens watch with sympathy the fight which China is putting up today against an aggressive enemy. They are even more impressed, however, by the fight which China is making at home to build a gov ernment and a way of life which is truly democratic and which will in crease the weDtoeing of all her peo ple. Hardship and suffering is the lot of her people at present, but they show extraordinary fortitude. All we can do is to send them whatever supplies they need, and I am sore that we shall do so even if it means sacrifice on our part. • • • MOVING DAY One can not leave two houses with which one has had long years of as sociation, without some reminiscent moments. I have spent many years away from these houses since my mother-in-law built them, but we lived here a number of years con secutively when our children were small. We lived here during the first years of my husband’s illness and have been here on and off since my husband returned to public life in 1928. Many human emotions have been recorded by many people within the walls of these rooms, and if walls could talk, an interesting book might be written. Perhaps the most stir ring chapter would deal with the months and years after my husband came back here from the hospital and slowly took up new activities, adjusting meanwhile to a physical handicap which a very active and still young man certainly never could have envisioned. As I took my maid into the new apartment she remarked on how light and bright it was, and said she hoped the happiness within would ah ways keep pace with the light. • • • AIR TRAVELING For those of us who travel by air the government’s need for planes was sad news in the paper. It has been hard for the airlines to meet the demands of passengers up to now, but with one-fourth of the air liners taken over by the army, it will mean, I imagine, increased dif ficulty for civilians who wish to trav el by air. Gradually, we shall have to take more time to get about when we are not doing something which has to do with the war. If we civilians must travel, it will be in a more leisurely fashion. This will be a hard lesson for me to learn, but I feel quite sure that, like many oth« ers, I can. • * • VISIT LANGLEY FIELD The Rosenwald fund meeting at Hampton, Va., was extremely in teresting and constructive. We worked from ten until one o’clock and then some of us lunched with President and Mrs. MacLean. After lunch we met again for an hour and then went to Langley Field. The commanding officer was kind enough to drive around with us and show the various types of airplanes being used for practice and patrol work. I had an opportunity to see some of the day rooms. Lovely Curtains Easy to Make *M0R0LINES NON-SKID. NON-SUP BOTTLE *I0« W HAT could be more charming than these fresh, flowing cur tains of white organdie, crowned with such lovely artificial flowers! You can make them easily your self—ruffles, swag and all—with a few professional hints. • • • Simple, with our 32-page Instruction booklet to guide you! Shows with dia grams and pictures how to make swags and cascades, fitted valances, French pleats, cornices and many lovely curtain and drapery styles. Send your order to: READER-HOME SERVICE 635 Sixth Avenue New York City Enclose 15 cents for your copy of NEW IDEAS IN MAKING CUR TAINS AND DRAPERIES. Name Address Sacrifice of Self Love is the gift of self. Its spirit may vary in the degree of inten sity, but it is ever the same. It is always and everywhere the sac rifice of self.—Canon Liddon. Laziness and Poverty Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.— Franklin. DON’T LET CONSTIPATION SLOW YOU UP • When bowels are sluggish and you feel irritable, headachy and everything you do is an effort, do as millions do — chew FEEN-A-MINT, the modern chewing gum laxative. Simply chew FEEN-A- MINT before you go to bed—sleep with out being disturbed—next morning gentle, thorough relief, helping you feel swell again, full of your normal pep. Try FEEN-A-MINT. Tastes good, is handy and economical. A generous family supply FEEtt-A-MINlTc* Belief With Hope You believe that easily which you hope for earnestly.—Terence. IMPERIAL SEAT COVERS Keep the interior of your car looking like new. Cooler for summer driving. • Protection far upholstery • Colorful, rich- looking plaid • Tailored fit, lock- stitched seams BE ALERT—GUARD AGAINST IGNITION FAILURES NOW! 'Firestone standard battery Guaranteed Replace your weak battery today and avoid starting trouble later. Firestone Standard has heavy inter-locked plates. Fil-O- Matic cover and lead bashings to prevent leakage and corrosion. t : stone As low as 7.95 exchange. START QUICKER —HAVE A SMOOTHER RUNNING MOTOR OR YOUR MONEY BACK Tirtston* POLONIUM SPARKPLUGS Special Polonium electrode creates a hotter spark, quicker starting and makes your motor run smoother or your money is refunded. R each in ..Ito-.y. . ^ # P # P SCtS Of 4* NEWS AND MUSIC WHILE YOU DRIVE 8-TUBE AUTO RADIO 49.95 Keep in touch with the news while you drive. Know what’s going on during black-outs. This 8-tube radio gives you finest reception and has Tri- Matic tone control. STOP GAS THEFT LOCKING GAS CAPS Positive locking, dust proof, waterproof, will not freeze or stick. Prevents M ah.h theft. Mo^fW PROTECT AGAINST ACCIDENTS WITH Wig-Wag Safety Signal 1.98 Warns on-coming cars. Unusual safety stop light. Attracts attention by flashing red signal. Can be mounted easily behind license plate. ^FREE 9 SI IS MCKMI or MMMTf SXS ZINNIA SEEDS GET MORE MILEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES GET MbRE SERVICE yfROM YOUR CAR VSE THE fimtoti* PLAN EXTRA MILEAGE All YOU Do Is Register Your Car Yoa Get These Services Freel Your tires are Safti-Branded with your initials to'protect against theft. You get a windshield emblem assuring you of preferred service. Your car ii given a monthly con servation inspection. Yqu are advised of any services necessary. You receive monthly inspection reminders. You pay only for what you order and order only what you want. lO* YOU* MOTICTION "I Safti-Brand YOUt IMTIAIS ON Y0UI THIS FREE AH IXCLUSIVi nan tomb stavict I ’ KAR FOAM Removes sludge, dirt, grease, film. 29c SIMONIZ s Either Kleener or Wax. 49 C Chrome Polish Easily and quickly applied. 39e Wool Wash Mitt Made to slip over your hand. 98c Polishing Cloth Fine for house hold use. 39c 10 yds. Whisk Broom A 10* broom. Long wearing. 39c | Fender Brush Also has many uses in the home. 35c 4*', V-3 .ov Tri-Rail Grille Guard 4.89 A deluxe guard with heavy 14* uprights and cross-rods. With replacement parts hard to get, prevent damage due to accidents. SEE YOUR NEARBY FIRESTONE DEALER OR FIRESTONE HOME AND AUTO SUPPLY STORE You are invited to listen to the Voice of Firestone with Richard Crooks, Margaret Speaks and the Firestone Symphony Orchestras under the direction of Alfred Wallenstein, Monday evenings, N. B. C. Red Network