The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-01-17

from the house; and he really believed
there Was a mistake.
"lIavc a glass of soda, Bill? Come
Tom, have i elass?'
"Don't care if | do said the persons
invited.
"llave some, Ncd?'
Ned said yes. So tho clerk prepared
four glassc, Of soda, for which Walter
Gray paid twenty-five cents.
"Lct's have 4 game Of seven up for
the oysters" said Bill, after the days
work was done.
The game was played and Walter lost,
so he paid dollar for four oyster sup.
pers--which none Of them needed, aud
which did them more harm than good.
"l!avc a cigar, Waltcr?"
Walter said yes and in return lie
paid for four g lasscs Of ale.
Onc cycuin. they met, after work, and
Ned proposed that they should toss up
10 see who should pay for the chowder.
"Comc, John--won't you come IN
he said, addressing John Niles, who
stood hy.
"No-sucss not" was Johns reply.
"You had better. It's only for the
chowder for five, if you come in"
IL can't"
"It's no use to ask him." said Walter,
in a rather sarcastic tone. "Ilc don't
spcad his money in that way"
Johns face flushed and his lips trcm.
bled bu, he restrained the biting words
which were trembling upon his tongue.
and turned and left the shop.
"lle'sa mean fellow" cried Tom, loud
enough for Niles to hear.
"Ii.h as tic bark Of 4 tree, added
Walter, in n tone equally loud.
john Niles heard these remarks, but
he did not come back.
The four remaining men "tossed np,'
and the loss fell upon Walter and Tom.
Then they tossed it off," and it fell
upon Walter, who paid four shillinss for
the ch0wder.
Walter started home about nine o'clock
aud was overlaken by Niles.
"Walter," said the latter, is kind
but earnest tone, " want to speak with
you. You have wrongcd me this even
ing. I wish you to understand nc. For
the opinion Of Bill Smith and Ned Fran.
els | care not, but DO GO: wish you to
misapprchcpd me. We live near togc'h-
cr, and | would not lose your good opin-
ion
Wcl.--co ahead" returned Walter,
who was sensible Of the fact that his
companion was one Of the best and kind.
cs. neighbors in the world.
"You said was mean"
"No, no-twas not that said that. "
"Wcll, you said | vas tight as the
bark on i tree.
Walter could not deny this, 50 John
prccccicd-
Il refused to join in your little game
for three reasons, either one Of which
should have been sufficient to deter me
FIRST, | have resolved not to engage
in any such games Of hazard.
Sccond, did not want any cho"dcr.
Third. | could not have afforded to
pay for Eve extra suppcrs had the lot
fallen upon nc"
"CouIdn't afford it?" replied Walter.
with a slight tiaSe of disbeliefin his tone,
"No," returucd the other. / could
not. | used to be on hand for any such
game, and | thought it would be mean
20 refuse, but ! have learned better. Let
me tell you how I first came to see the
folly Of being afraid to spend my money
for nothing. Shall II"
Certainly" replied Walter.
"Well," continued Niles, "one noon,
as was going away from home, my vile
asked me for dollar. She wanted it ia
buy some cloth. I asked her it she could
not get along without it. I had only
three dollars with me. and hutel to lei
them 20. She said she really needed
the cloth, bat 1t hadn t3c Moh'J u
soare she could wait. knew she was
disappointed, bnt l though: she could
get along. and went away. That even.
ing 1 went into the saloon, and VIC had
n Gne social time. 1t cost me just ono
dollar and a half. paid tho money
wi!Iingly-wi,hout even the thought o'
ot;sction-and then went home. When
I cot home | heard ms vito pacifyinc
our youngest child. The little thing had
expected new dress which had been
promised her-and $50 felt badly because
she had not got it.
"Wait," urged my wife. as the child
sobbed in her disappointment. "Pap'
hasn't got the money now, but he'll have
some by.and,by, and then you shal