Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-09-21

thoughts. lie brought me home a
small Photographic impression Of that
sweet picture, entitled, "Past and Flu
turc,'' with which | was much delight
| ed.
GLOW much did it cost 2" was very
natural question.
"Only twenty ccnts,'' was the
reply.
'Indced Isn't that cheap?'
eyes, very cheap. Impressions of
this kind are usually sold at from fifty
cents to dollar
"Can you get any more Of them 90
I inquired.
eyes"
cat the same price 20
go yes.''
"rd like two MORE" said [. sFWill
you get them for me tomorrow ?"
"Certainly; but what do you want
with two more ?"
II would like to give one to Mrs.
Walker, and send the other to sister
Alice"
"You shall have them,'' was my hus-
bands cheerful response"
'Did you get the note paper and en-
velopcs?" | now inquired, remember
ing little commission I had given
him in the morning.
He drew forth a package and placed
it in my hand.
"Gilt edge?" I asked.
eyes"
"Pink lined envelopes %
go, certainly that was your direc-
ton. But call it extravagant. Now,
how much extra do you suppose [ had
to pay for gilt edge and pink lining %
s'rm sure I don't know" was my
carelessly spoken answer.
"Nor don't care, either, why didn't
you say ?" He smiled with just
shade Of gravity in his eyes, adding
''But I will inforn you nevertheless.-
The pink and the gilt in that little
package cost just fifty cents"
"NothinS SO very ruinous in that"
| threw back the words laughinglv.
'Not at all, only it just crossed my
mind that many a poor man works
hard all day for just double the amount
spent here in gold leaf and tiuting-
useless, ALL"
| dropped my eyes away from the
earnest look with which my husband
seemed regarding me. He had not
meant to utter n rebule, but his words
went home. My thoughts passed In
stantly to poor Mary, the washerwo-
man, and her hard days work. I
thought of her two children at home,
from whom she had been absent since
morning, and the meagre provision she
could make them and herself Oh the
small sum of her earnings seventy
five cents a day, with the certainty of
never more than three or four full days
work III 4 week [ thought likewise
of nv refusal to increase the sum Of
one days earnings the small addition
ofeven a single shilling, which my cook
with more kindness and sympathy than
I had given her credit for, urged me in
her impulsive way to advance. A
shame spot burned on my cheek.
Rising suddenly, | went down stairs
into the kitchen.
"Where's Mary 90 I asked.
"Gone," answered the cook coldly.
"Didn't she get her supper?'
"No ma'am. She couldn't stay
The wash was SO heavy, and we didn't
get through till late.''
"Why didn't you get her some sup
per?"
81 wanted to, but she said no, she
wasn't hungry"
''Fm sorry," was my remark, and
stood thoughtful for some moments.
Conscience was troubling me.
els she coming next week as usu-
al?n
''Don't know, ma'am, she didn t
say. Guess as how she'll try to make
a day somewhere else, if she can"
l turned and went up stairs, feeling
altogether uncomfortable. What a tri-
he was the sum to me which | had re-
fused t. advance-to her Of how much
Importance In parting with it, |
should never have felt the slightest
diminution Of comfort, while the gain
to her would have been great. Very
exact was I in dealing with this poor
woman, bargaining Tor Tue WORK at the
lowest rate for which it could be OBJ
tanned, yet liberal in expending from a
mere generous impulse-giving away
things of taste and ornament to per
. sons better able to purchase than [
was to bestow.
The matter troubled me. I looked
SO sober as [ sat at the head of the
tea-table, that my husband inquired,
what a shade of concern on his face,
. if were not well. =. $50,