Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-02

vile, ana, according 10 MS reckoning,
save something to boot. Yes, TO be sure
he could. There were six dollars week
for board, one dollar week for wash
ing, and then quarters and dimes innu-
merable for taking his lady acquaint-
ances TO ride, to the theater, to the ice
cream saloons, balls, operas, etc.
BY Georgel" he exclaimed as he
cast up his yearly account, that huge;
enough to break fellow; a thousand
yearl 1t won't do; I'll marry and settle
down"
So he applied to Lizzie Forsyth to be
his wife, and he was soon in possession
of her.
A snug house was rented, and the
work of supporting a young wife began
in earnest. The five rooms cost two
hundred dollars a year, and were prettily
furnished. Lizzie preferred to do all
her own work Sometimes by her needle
she earned dollar extra. Then, as it
was little lonesome for Frank, he
brought home several clerks as day
boarders at four dollars q week. Still,
with this, he would tell his acquaint-
ances how much less it cost him to live
now he supports wife. He never
seemed for moment to realize that she
it was who was saving all the expenses,
and that if he had not earned dollar,
her busy hands would have paid the rent
and kept him from starving.
So the matter stood when he asked his
wife to mend his coat. Lizzie drew
deep sigh after he was gone, and hurried
her dishes away as fast as possible.
The coat was of broadcloth and was
his wedding garment; but it was well
nigh worn out, broken under the arms,
the cord and lining in rags, the sleeve
Innings broken loose, buttons worn off;
in fine, there was nearly days work.
She sat down to the coat with hearty
good will, determined to do her best.
Her needle flew fast, but every moment
it had to be laid down to see to dinner
or hush the baby. The hours wore away,
and though she did all she possibly
could, the job was still undone at sun
down.
Walter cried necessarily. He looked
pale, and his eyes were dim. She then
remembered Franks words: Let him
squall," and let him cry half an hour or
more. OIL how it worried her to hear
ber darling cry for its mother. Tears
swan in her eyes as she thought of her
hard days work and the want of appre-
citation of her labor She knew she was
making his old coat look almost as new.
But he would never think of the tolls
she had put on it. And what if he
don't" she mentally said; II shall in
my own spirit know all have done, and
that is enough.
But Lizzie was strong-hearted as well
as Loving and dutiful. She shook off
her discomfort, and became as cheerful
as possible. Then she worried through
supper-getting, and with much manag
ing had all things done by the time that
Frank came in with his companion.
MY coat done, LizzieY"
No, not quite.
"There's woman for We, boys. One
half of them would let husband go out
of their elbows a week before they would
turn aside from any plan of their own.
All the ironing completed, I'll be bound,
Lizzie"
Lizzie was taking her biscuit out of
the oven, and the young men did not
see the deep flush of pain that flashed
over her weary features.
VIII you bring in pitcher of water,
please2' she said pleasantly.
There it is again; when | was bach
| had nothing to do but hand my coat
over to the tailor, pay him dollar, and
twas done in jiffy, and not any grum-
bling. No water to fetch when fellow S
tired, either.
Lizzie was nervous, was tired with
household work and care. She could
not endure his badinage, although half
playful. She hastily set the biscuit on
the table, and saying simply; Supper is
ready" stepped into the bedroom and
then burst into tears. Her tears did
not flow long, though she was deeply
and wrongfully hurt in her feelings.
Her heart gained in its natural relief,
and after pretending that she was get
ting Walter asleep (which she actually |
did she bathed her eyes and came out,
washed her dishes, and sat down to the
coat.
Frank sat watching her flying fingers
for an hour or two, as he laughed and |
talked to his friend, thinking to himself |
that every turn would be the last. At
o'clock she had set the last stitch. The
coat looked like new one all around.
As she finished she looked up, with still /
a shade of sadness upon her brow.
There, Frank; have mended your
coat thoroughly. | guess it will last
another year now.
dQuite Job, wasn't it? longer than
thought said he, deprecatingly.
"How much clear cash have you made
today. Frank" asked Lizzie in very
earnest tone.
What do you want to know that FORT
was bis answer.
|" For my own satisfaction. Certainly ]