The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-06-04
OUT OF THE WRONG POCKET.

Mr. laggard 1rOWDed as ne observed the
pile of bills by his plate, placed there by his
prudent, economical wife, not without an
anxious hutter at the heart, in anticipation
of the scene that invariably followed. lie
actually groaned as he read the sum total.
There must be some mistake, Mary, he
said pushing back his plate, with desper-
ate air; it is absolutely impossible for us to
have used all these things in one month";
The bills are correct, john was the meek
RESPONSE; looked them over myself
Then one thing is certain, provisions are
either wasted-thrown out of the window,
as it were-or stolen! Jane has relatives in
the place, and | haven't The least doubt but
that she supports them entirely out of what
she stealsr
Mrs. Taggard's temper was evidently ris-
Jig; there were two round crimsoned spots
upon her cheeks, and tapped her foot ner-
vously upon the floor.
Il am neither wasteful or extravagant,
John. And as for Jane, l know her to be
perfectly honest and trustworthy
1T is evident there is leak somewhere.
Mary; and it is your duty as a wife, to find
out where it is, and stop it. Our bills are
enormous; and if this sort of thing goes on
much longer, shall be bankrupt
Mrs. Taggart remained SILENT trying to
choke down the indignant feelings that strug-
gled for utterance.
you will have to order some COAL she
said at last I'VE have hardly sufficient for
the day..
is there anything more, Mrs. Taggard?
inquired her husband, ironically.
''Yes; neither myself, nor the children are
comfortably clothed; all need an entire new
outfit"
"Go on, madam. AS / am man Of un-
limited means, if you have any other wants,
| hope you won't be at all backward about
mentioning EN-"
Il don't intend to be- was the spirited
| reply. Il wouldn't do for another what /
do for you, for double my board and cloth
ing. Both the parlor and sitting-room need
refurnishing; everything looks so faded and
shabby, that am ashamed to have anybody
| call And the stairs need re-carpeting, the
blinds and gate repaired, and the fence paint
| ed
That can't be all, Mrs. Taggard. Are
you sure that there isn't something else?'
Il don't think of anything just now; Mr..
| Taggard though if there should be few
dollars over and what above these will cost
they won't come amiss / should like to have G
little change in my pocket, if only for the
novelty of the thing. You needen't fear it,
| being wasted. .....
Mr.. Taggard was evidently not little as
tonished at his sudden outbreak in his usually
quiet and patient wife, but who, like mos
women of that stamp, had considerable spirit
when it was reused.
Now that You are through, Mrs. Taggard
perhaps you will let me say word. Her,
is all the money l can spare this month; 81
you can make the most of it.
Laying a roll of bills on the table. MIR
Taggard walked to the door; remarking
just before he closed it, that he shoult
leave town on the next train, to be absen
about a week.
The revery into which Mrs. Taggard fel
as she listened to the sound of his retreatin,
steps, was far from being pleasant one.-
Aside from her natural vexation, she fel
grieved and saddened by the change that ha,
come over her once kind, indulgent husband
His mind seemed to be entirely filed wit
the greed for gain, the desire to amas
money-not for the sake of the good that i
might enable him to enjoy, or confer, bu
for the mere pleasure of boarding it. An
this miserly feeling grew upon him daily
until he seemed to grudge his family the CON
mon comforts of life. And yet Mrs. Tag
gard knew that he was not only in receipt 9
comfortable income from his business, bu
had laid by surplus, yearly, ever sine
their marriage.