Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-04
THE HOUSEHOLD.
THE HOsBAMD's LEssoN.


nTho clock key" said Mrs. Farquhar, press
sing her hand to her bewildered brow. "Well,
declare can't exactly remember what did with
"That is singular; very singular indeed, :
oracularly observed her husband. 3 fussy, bald-
headed little man.
And how am 10 wind the clock without .
key, ia like TO know2 never forget, Mrs.
Farquhar. Did you ever know mo TO forget
And the long and short of the matter is that /
shall have TO bay new clock key--a new clock
kew, Mrs. Farqnhar Just al this time, OF all
others, when our expenses are 30 overwhenl-
IA man with wife and six children cannot
expect to live for nothing" said Mrs. Farquhar
composedly. "Starch, soap, candler, flannel"
"Yes, yes-exactly so, said Mr.. Farquhar.
"But / have no time to argue the matter this
morning"
"And IL you had, mercilsssly persisted Mrs.
Farquhar, "you might argue from now until
doomsdsy without altering the state Of affairs
Here is your hat. my dear; and don'tforget the
paregoTic and Willies shoes, and Harry's hat
and the plumbers bill"
The long business day lapsed slowly away and
Mr. Fsrqnhar returned homo just the gray
shadows OF dusk were closing in, greatly re-
. Fifty dollars clear gain" said he, rubbing
his palms together as he sat down to the tea
table. "Jones borrowed. 1t of mo month ago,
and when l heard he had sailed for California
pnt 1t down as n dead loss. Never expected to
see or hear from tho man again, and when he
turned up to. day with q new fifty-dollar BILL
give you my word II seemed just like pres
ent."
=" And what are you going to do with 1t 2"
said Mr. Farquhar, who was fastening the baby's
bib.
II don't know Il haven't thought yet. might
go to Washington with Allen, Ferguson, and the
other fellows"
.'You might" said Mrp. FArquhar, dryly; and
might have 1t for q new cloak. But think 1t
would be rather more sensible way Of spending
the money TO pay the doctors bill"
Mr.. Farquhar laughed.
"Well my dear, | don't know but that you're
right" said he. land I,guess you may go around
and pay 1t tomorrow"
The arrival OF Master Tommy and Miss Lizzie
fresh from the nusery broke up all further finan-
clal discussion, and Mr.. Farquhar thrust the bill
into his vest pocket
About midnight Mrs. Farquhar Rwoke her hus-
band TO tell him about the burglary next door
"Eh," said Mr.. Farquhar, little uneasily.
"a burglary At Mr.. Morris And what was
taken z"
Yes my vest pocket" he moditated, "just
where the thieving scoundrels would be most apt
to lay their hands upon 1t. / wish had sent to
pay the doctors bill tonight instead of post
poning 1t until tomorrow. Haoo, though |
nave il !" bright inspiration flashed into his
drowsy brain. Nobody would ever dream OF |
looking into an old boot. 1t will be safe there |
until tomorrow, and I'll get rid of it 40 soon as
| can"
'.Watches--silver-c r-clothing--evorythin said |
Mrs. Farquhar, lowering her voice to myster-
ious whisper. "In the dead Of night, while the |
family we're asleep. Lemuel, dear, are you sure /
you recoliected to bolt the front door aud put up
the ohain2"
"0f course recollected IL, said Mr. Farquhar |
a little Grossly. ~ make it my business to reeol-
ect everything. Go to sleep, my dear and don't |
fretl'
And just as he was sinking of into a delicious |
slumber Mr.. Farquhar bethought himself OF the |
1fty-dolar bill.
Slr. Farquhar went to bed and slept the sleep |
Of the righteous; and the next morning totally |
Oblivious OF the whole proceeding, he arose and /
put on his slippers in a beaming mood.
WHATS that, Bridget A beggar at the
door," He demanded.
HE says he's no Shoes sir" said Bridget,
ian the toes Of him are on the ground entire
g"
Poor fellow And it's sharp frosty morn
ing" said Mr.. FarQuhar. "Give him my old
boots, Bridget. was going to have them half
soled, but ! guess this man needs them more
Where are they, sir ?" said Bridget.
"On the floor by the bed, upstairs. Run
quick, and don't leave the door open. Run,
mats goosSBi<kd |
The beggar mai rcax the boots and wont on
his way rejoicing, and just as Mr.. Farquhar
was buttoning his oVercoat to depart for the re-
gions OF downtown, Mrs. Farquhar entered the
room.
Don't forget to give me that fifty dollar bill.
Lemuel, before you go-for the doctor you re-
member"
Mr.. Farquhars hands dropped to his side
his face turned dull tallowy tint.
Ihe--afty-dollar bill" repeated he mo-
clanieally. 'Good heavens it's gone!
"Gone Gone where 2"
Mr.. Farquhar made blind rush at the door,
as il to overtake tho besgar who had shaken
the dust Of the threshold of his feet two hours
ago, and then stood still 1t was bad enough
to lose the hfty-dollar bill bat it was still
worse to confess 1t to his wife. Yet what
loop-hole OF escape was there
i've lost it," said he doggedly. II put it
away, and forgot all about 1t
Mrs FArluhars eyes sparked mischievously. |
II thought you never forget anything, my /
dear" said sllo.
I'm fool !" confessed Mr.. ParquhAr-''and |
a conceited fool, too! Bat" with piteous in- |
llsction OF his voice, II would liked 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 little |
thin but dare say can make it do.
Yes, you will get the new overcoat, Lemuel, |
dear" laughed 6Ira. Farq uhar, producing a |
slip Of cracking brown paper from her pocket. |
" Here's the fifty dollar bill"
Mr. Parquhar caught at II like hungry wolf |
at piece or raw meat,
My dear Bessie, where did you find III"
Where you put it, my dear-in the boot. / |
around. perceived in the morning that you |
had entirely forgotten the whole transaction, |
and myself took the bill out, before the old |
boots became the prey OF the beggar. Hero it |
is, and all have TO ask you il to be a little
more careful next time"
" My dear, said Mr., FArquhar, you are
trump"
Aud now" his wife roguishly asked, "are
We quits about the clock key? "
Mr.. Farquhar thought they wore.