The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-11-15
treasure for safe keeping. A thorough search

sreasure LOT saie keeping. AthotouBhsearcr
proved unavailing.
"Really, Mrs. Slack, ;" said I, thinking !,
best to show bold front, "there must be
some corner or seam in my pocket that il
open," (though really could not find one
any more than could find the missing quar-
ter.)
"If there is, It is singular that did not
find 1t last evening"" said she in her quiet
way; "but will be sure to find 1t this ev.
ening. il there is any,"
On my way to work, after dinner, while
passing the Arcade Saloon, the late of my
wifes quarter came distinctly to my mind
1t had vanished in smoke in front Of that in.
stitution, !. O., it had paid for Eve finely fla.
yored cigars, which some OF my village
"iriends" had helped me dispose Of while
discussing politics the previous evening.
Mrs. Slack never told me whether she
found any hole in my pocket or not, and !
did not feel disposed to push the investigation
on the subject at the time.
Although was seldom entirely out Of
change, still it was frequently unpleasantly
scarce. In fact, spent more than | was
really aware of in small items, from day to
day, for the double purpose Of maintaining
my reputation Of being "clever fellow"
and to crafty my appetite or fancy for things
could have done very well without.
The result was that we did without things
at home which my wages would have enabled
me to buy, and lett something for charitable
purposes.
One day was presented with subscrip-
ton paper for the benefit ofthc Orphan Asy.
lum, which reluctantly handed back with
out signing, with the remark that ! really
could not afford it.
My wife smiled sadly, as she said to me in
an under tone:
"Ned Bowen subscribed S5."
al don't sec how he can do it, I replied,
Gas he does not get any better wages, or
work moro hours than do"
A few days after the foregoing event, on
an invitation from Ned Bowen and his wife
we spent an evening at his house, which we
found much better furnished than our own,
though there was no apparent intention to
make any needless display Of furniture.
The evening passed pleasantly away, but
could not avoid some unpleasant feelings,
whenever contrasted their home with our
own.
81 wonder" said | to my wife, on our way
home, "if Bowen does not get in debt for
some of his furniture"
"lle does not" she replied, "for his wife
told mo they did not owe dollar in the
world"
"But how can they live as they arc doing.
on his wages, il he gives five dollars at Il time
for charitable purposcs?"
al think can tell you" said my wife in
bcsitating manner.
"Wcll, do, !f you please" replied, not o
little curious to know what her ideas on this
subject were.
"Well," she continued, "in the first place
she never buys for herself any unnecessary
linery, and takes good care that nothing is
lost or destroyed that comes into the house,
and"
"But," said /, interrupting her, ~ doubt
amazingly whether she is more careful than
my own model wife,"
"In the second place." said she, "hc is as
careful in these respects as she is. He buys
leo cream, oranges, cigars, &C., neither
for himself nor any of his pretended friends.
In short, my dear Mr.. Slack, he has no hole
in his pocket"
1t was the first word of suspicion my wife
ever uttered on the subject, and that fact to-
gether with the conviction she had clearly
seen, and so unexpectedly, but in 80 kind a
manner, told me Of the real cause Of the dill
ference between our home and that of Ned
Bowen and his wife, cut me to the quick-or
rather. should have said, it sewed mo up,
and my pockets too; they have never had
holes since that evening. Her change has
been safe in them ever since, and our home
will not suffer in comparison with that of
our friend Bowen. With good books and
papers. can spend my leisure hours more
pleasantly and proftably at home than any
where else; and the saving Of small expenses
more than pays for them, and is the secret
Of success.