The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-08-28
THE HOLE IN THE POCKET


Jonas Slack and his wife commenced
housekeeping as many other young peo-
pie do, with little means for defraying the
necessary expenses; but as he was good
mechanic, he could generally find employ
ment in his native village, and she being
an industrious little woman, beside doing
her housework, earned considerable in the
course of the year by doing plain sewing.
But still they did not seem toprosper MS
did Ned Bowen and his wife, who COM
menced housekeeping near them about
the same time, under similar circumstan-
ces. The reason why and the way he
made the discovery, We will let him tell
in his own words:
My wife said to me one evening, Mr..
Slack, wish TO get some thread and
needles at the store and want little
change" felt in my pocket, examined
my wallet thoroughly, but could find
nothing that would pass for currency at
the store, and reported the unpleasant fact
TO her.
Why" said she, "what has become
of the half dollar l gave you this morn
ing, that | got from Mrs. Jones, Cor sew
inn" (Shc had always made me cashier
of the firm
After another unsuccessful attempt to
find it, said: "Mrs, Slack, l think there
must be n hole in one of my pockets, for
certainly have not got il, and ] do not
think of anything | have paid it out for. !"
81 will look at your pockets this eve
ning," said she mildly, "and will mend
them if they need it."
1t was not long after this conversation
that / remembered having treated myself
and three friends TO ice cream and or
anges, at confectioner's shop, but con-
cluded to keep the discovery to myself.
"I couldn't find any hole in your pock-
ct last night" said my wife, the next
morning in gentle tone, and with a look
that my feelings prevented me from scan
ming closely; and all the reply ! felt will
ing TO make was, "Ah, couldn't you."
A few days afterwards she called on
me for twenty-five cents she had lately
deposited in my sub-treasury for safe
keeping.
Really, Mrs. Slack" said |, thinking
il best 10 show bold front, "there must
be some corner or seam in my pocket that
is open;" though really l could not find
the missing quarter.
"If there is it is singular that did
not find it the other evening"" said she,
in her usual quiet way; "but l will be
sure to find it this evening if there is any,"
On the way TO my work after dinner,
while passing the Arcade Saloon, the fate
of my wife's quarter came distinctly to
my mind. 1t had vanished in smoke in
front of that institution; i. e., it had paid
for five finely favored cigars which some
of my village " friends" had helped me
TO dispose of while discussing politics
there the previous evening.
Mrs. Slack had never told me whether
she found any hole in my pocket or not ;
and l did not feel disposed to push the
investigation on the subject any further
at the time.
Although | was seldom entirely out OF
change, still it was frequently unpleasant.
ly scarce. In fact, ! spent more than !
was aware of in small items, from day TO
day, for the purpose, the double purpose,
of maintaining my reputation of being O
"clever fellow" and 10 crafty my appe,
tite or fame for things could have done
very we'll without.
The result was, that | did without
things at home which my wages would
have enabled me to buy, and left some
for charitable purposes.
One day l was presented with sub
scription paper for the benefit of the Or.
phan Asylum, which reluctantly handed
back without signing, with the remark
that really could not afford it.
Ny wife smiled sadly, as she said in an
uudertone:
/" Ned Bowen subscribed five dollars
81 don't see how he can afford it,"
replied, Gas he does not get any better
wages or work more hours than | do"
A few days after the foregoing event
on an invitation from Ned Bowen and his
wife, we spent an evening at their house
which we found much better furnished
than our own, though there was no appa'
rent attempt to make any needless dis
play Of furniture.
The evening passed pleasantly away