The Lincoln County herald., 1869-06-17
OUT OF THE WRONG POCKET.

Mr.. Taggard frowned as he observed
tho pile Of bills, by his plate, placed tLero
by his prudent, economical wife, not with.
out an anxious Auttcr at tho heart, in an.
ticipation Of the sceno that invariably
followed. Ho actually groaucd as be
read the sum total.
"Therc must be some mistake, Mary"
he said ,lpushing back hisIpla,e with o des
pcratc air "it is absolutely impossible for
US to have used all these things in ono
month |"
E'Thc bills arc correct, john" was tho
meek response; II looked them over my.
self
"Thcn one thing is certain, provisions
arc either wastcd-thrown out Of the
window, as it wcre--or stolen Janc has
relatives in tho place, aud I haven't the
lenst doubt but that she supports them
entirely out. of what she steals!"
Mrs. Taggard's temper was evidently
rising; there were two round, crimson
spots upon her checks, and she tapped
her foot nervously upon tho floor.
II am neither wastcful, nor extrava-
CANT, John. And as for Jane, l know
her to bc perfectly honest and trust
worthy"
ut is evident that thcro is q leak some.
where, Mary; and it is your duty, as q
wife, to 6nd out where It is, and stop it.
Our bills are perfectly enormous; and if
this sort Of thing goes on much longer,
shall be bankrupt IL
Mrs. Taggard remained silent trying to
choke down the indignant feelings that
struggled for utterancc.
"You will have to order some COAL"
she said at last; "we have hardly sufii
cient for the day." ~ ~
rs there anything more, Mrs. Tag
gard7" inquired hor husband, ironi.
cally. '''.
ayes; neither myself, nor tho children
are dccently or comfortably clothed; all
need an entire new outfit"
"Go on, madam. As I am man Of
unlimited means, if you have any other
wants. l hope you won't be at oil back
ward about mentioning them"
n don't intend to b." was the quiet,
but spirited reply. II wouldn't do for
another what do for you, for double my
board and clothing. Both the parlor and
sitting.room need refurnishing; every .
thirg looks so faded and shabby, that l
am ashamed to have any ono call. And
tho stairs mood re.carpeting, the blinds
and gate repaired, and the fence painted" I"
"That cant be al, Mrs. Taggard. Arc
you sure that there iSn't something else ?"
II don't think Of anything just now,
Mr.. Taggard; though if there should be
q few dollars over and above what these
will cost, they won't como amiss. |
should like to have o little in my pocket,
if only for the novelty Of the thing. You
needn't fear ito being wasted" ..
Mr.. Taggard was evidently NOT little
astonished at this sudden outbreak in his
usually quiet and patient wife, but who,
like most women OF that stamp, had con.
siderable spirit when it was aroused.
SNOW that you arc through, Mrs. Tag.
gard, perhaps you will let mo say word.
Here Is all tho mousy ! can spare you
this nsnth $50 you can make the. most
Of It,"
Laying roll of bills on the table, Mr..
Taggard walked to the door remarking,
just bsfosa hs olossdit, "thst hs: should
leave town on the next train, 10 BE- absent
about week."
The revery into which Mrs. Taggard
fell, as sho listened to the sound Of bis
setreatiog steps, wAs fer from being
pleasant one. Aside from her natural
vexation, she felt grieved and saddeped
By tht change that hsd come over her
once kind, iudulgent husband. His mind
seemed to BE- entirely aled with the greed
Of gain, the desire to smass money-not
&: ss.s. i III IL; :: .Js:l .s. sss: z:
ii: Y mere pleasure Of boarding. And
this miserly feeling grew upon him daily,
mi Ia A. = = n