The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-02-21
THK HOLE IN THE POCKET 4;
The Secret OF Success.

Jonas Slack and his wife commenced
sekeeping, as many other young peo
pie do, with little means for defraying the
necessary expences; but as he was a good
mechanic, and could generally find EN-.
ployment in his native village, and she be-
ing an industrious little woman, besides
doing her housework, earned considerable
in the course ola year, by doing plain
sewing But still they did not seem tc
prosper as did Ned Bowen aud his wife.
who commenced house keeping near them
about the same time, under similar cir.
cumstances. The reason why, and the
way be made tn discovery, we will lei
him tell his own words.
Ny wiie said to me ono evening. "Mr
Slack, | wish 10 get some thread aud nee
dies ~ the store. and want little change.
felt in my pocket. examined my wallet
thoroughly, but could find nothing thai
would pass for currency at the store, and
reported the unpleasant fact TO her.
Why said she, what has become o.
that hall dollar l gave you this morning,
that got from Mrs. jones for sewing.
(she had always male me cashier Of the
frn.)
Afler another unsuccessful attempt to
find it said:-'Mrs. Slack. think there
must be hole in some Of my pockets, for
certainly | have not go; it. and do not
think of anything have paid it out for
'l'll look to YOUR pockets this evening.
she said mildly. and mend them if the Y
need it,
1t was not long after this conversation
that remembered having treated myself
and three frionds to ice cream and oran gss
at confectionery shop. but concluded 10
keep the discovery to myself.
Il could not find any hole in your pock-
ct las; night said my wife, the next nor
ming in II gentle tone. and with look that
my feelings prevented me from scanning
closely. and all the reply felt willing to
make, vas. 'Ah! could'n your
A few days afterwards, she called on
me for twenty five cents she had lately de
posted in my sub-treasury for safe keep.
ing. A thorough search proved unavail.
ing.
Really. Mrs. Slack said |, thinking i,
best to show bold front, there must be
some corner or seam in my pocket that
is cpeu. (though really could not find
one, any more than | could .se missing
quarter.
IF there is, 1t is singular that did no,
End i. the other evening" said she in hel
usual quiet way: but will be sure to find
1t thus evening. if there is any
hn hA to
while passing the Arcade Saloon. the tate
OF my wife's quarter came distinctly tc
my mind. 1t had vanished ia smoke in
front Of tina. institution, i. O., it had paid
for five finely favored cigars. which some
ofmy village friends had helped me ia
dispose of while discussing politics there
the previous evening.
Mrs. Slack never told me whether che
ever found any hole in my pocket or not
and | did not feel disposed to push the
investigation on the subject any farther al
the time.
Although | was seldom entirely out o
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 maintain
ing my reputation Of being clever fellow,
and to CRAFTY my appetite or fancy fol
things | could have done very we'll with
out.
The result was, that she did withou
things at home which my wages would have
enabled me TO buy, and left something 70
charitable purposes.
One day l was presented with sub
scrlption paper for the benefit of the Or
Phau Asylum, which reluctantly handed
back without signing, with the remark tina
| really could not afford it.
My wife smiled sadly. as she said to m
in an under tome,