Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-02-27
rIaE IHUsBAND,s LESSON.

UAV". NClis ucGiiTt SdH cAdft
ly remember what did with it,"
THAT is singular; very singular, in
deed" oracnlarly observed her hus
band, a f'ussy, bald-hcaded little man
"And' how am to wind the c,oel
without key, I'd like TO know.
never forget, Mrs. Farquhar Did 80,
ever know Inc to forget. And tn,
long and short of the matter is, that
| shall have to buy new clock key,
| now clock key, Mrs. Farqullar, just a,
this time, of all others, when our cx-
penscs are so overwhelming
"a man with wife and six children
cannot expect to live for nothing" said
Mrs. Farquhar composcdly. .'Starch
soap, candles, flannel
Yes, yes--exactly So said Mr. Far
quhar. "But have no time to argue
the matter this morning.
"And If you had,' mcrcilessly per-
sisted Mrs. Farquhar, "yon might ar
guc from now uutil doomsday with
out altering the state Of afiaiis. Here
is your hat, my dear; and don't forget
the paregoric, and Willie's shoes, and
Harry's hat, and the plumbers BILL"
The long business day lapsed slowly
away, and Mr.. Farquhar returned
home just as the gray shadows Of dusk
were closing in, greatly rejoicing.
FIFTY dollars clear gain" said he
rubbing his palms together as he sat
down by the tea-tablc. Zones bor-
rowed IL Of me a month ago, and when
l heard he had sailed for California /
put it down as dead loss. Never ex-
pected to see or hear from the mar,
again; and when he turned up today
with new flfty-dollar bill, give YOU
my word it seemed just like a pres
ent.'
"And what arc you going to do with
it?" said Mrs. Farquhar, who was
fastening the baby's bib.
II don't know-I haven't thought
yet. ! might go to Washington with
Allen and Ferguson, artfthe other fell
lows"
"You might said Mrs. Farquhar
dryly; "and might have 1t for new
velvet cloak. But think it would be
rather moro sensible way of spend
ing the money to pay the doctors bill. =
Mr.. Farquhar laughed.
"Wcll, my dear, ! don't know but
that You're right said he; ..and /
guess you may go around and pay It
tomorrow"
The arrival of Master Tommy aud
Miss Lizzy, fresh from the nursery,
broke up all farther financial discns-
siOns, and Mr.. Farguhar thrust the
bill into his vest pocket.
About midnight, Mrs. farquhar
awoke- her husband to tell him about
the burglary next door
"Eh?" said Mr.. Farquhar. a little
uneasily. "a burglary? AT Mr..
Norris? And what was taken:'
"Watches-silver- clothing-every-
thing" said Mrs. Farquhar, lowering
her voice 10 mysterious whisper
I'm the dead of night while the family
were all asleep. Lemucl. dear. are
yon sure you rccollected TO BOLT the
front door and put up the chain? 2"
"Of course l recollected it, said Mr.
Farquhar little GROSSLY. "I make 1t
my business to recollect everything.
Go to sleep, my dear, ard don't fret
And just ~ he was sinking or fnro
delicious slnmber, Mr.. Farquhar
bethought himself of the fifty-dollar
bill.
Eyes, my vest pocket he meditat-
ed; 'just where the thieying scoun-
drels would be most apt to lay their
hands upon il. wish ] had sent it to
pay the doctors bill last night instead
fpostponing it until tomorrow. Hal
leo, though, / have it," as a bright in
spiration flashed into his drowsy
brain. Nobody would ever dream
of looking into an old boot; it will be
safe there until Tomorrow, and III
get rid of il as quick as can"
Mr.. Farquhar went to bed and slept
the sleep OF the righteous. And the
next morning, totally oblivious of the
whole proceeding, he arose and pu, on
his slippers in beaming mood.
"What's that, Bridget? 4 beggar
at the door?' he demanded.
"He says he's no shoes, SIR" said
Bridget, IAN the toes of him are on
the bare ground entirely"
"Poor fellow. Aud it's sharp
frosty morning toe" said Mr.. Farqu-
har. "Give him my old boots, Bird
get. was going TO have 'em half
soled, but guess this man needs them
moro than do"
"Wherc are they, sir?' said Bird.
get.
''On the floor by the bed up stairs.
Run quick, and don't leave the door
open. Run, that's good girl!r
The bcggar man took the boots and
went on his way rejoicing, and just as
Mr.. Far4uhar was buttoning up his
overcoat to depart for tho regions of
down town, Mrs. Farquhar entered
the room.
"Don't forget to give me that fifty
dollar bill, Lemucl, before you 60
for the doctor, You remember"
Mr.. Farquhar's hands dropped to
his side--his faco turned dull, tall
lowy tint.
"The--fifty--dollar-bill.'r repeated
ho mechanically. "Good Heavcnsl it's
gone!"
"Gonel Gone where?"
Mr.. Farquhar made blind rush at
the door, as il TO overtake the beggar
who had shaken the dust of the thres-
hold of his feet two good hours ago.
aud then stood still. 1t was bad
enough to lose tile fifty-d0llar bill,
but it was still worse to be compelled
to confess 1t to his wife. Yet what
loophole OF cscape was there
live lost it, said he doggedly.
II put it away and forgot all about ii Y
Mrs. Farquhar's eyes sparklcd mis-
chievously.
~ thought YOU never forgot any
thing, my dear" said she.
II am fool" confessed Mr.. Farqu-
har, .'and a conccited fool too. But"
with pitcous iuflcction OF his voice,
II would like to have paid The doctors
bill. The times are hard. and--but
never mind. won't get that new over
coat was thinking of. This one is Il
little illin, but dare say can make
it do"
"YeS, you will get the new oycrcoat,
Lcmuel, dear" laughed Mrs. Farqu-
har, producing slip OF cracking
brown paper FROM her pocket. Heres
the fifty dollar bill"
MY dear Bessie, where did YOU find
it?"
"Where you put il, my tear--iu ll.c
boot. l heard yon get up in the night
and prowl around. perceived inths
| morning that you had entirely forgot
4 Il n = T