South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-03-19
She Knew her Business.

s~
She Knew her Business.
James Maxon is n duly initiated and
valiant Knight OF Pythias. The other
night he left home, telling Mrs. Maxon
that he was going to the lodge About
half-past 8 o'clock two well-dressed men
rang the door-beli, and when Mrs. Max.
on appeared they announced themselves
as companion knights of Pythias. They
said that the Lodge had just held an e.
lection. and that Mr.. Maxon had been
unanimously called to the Chancellor
chair-the highest position in the lodge.
They had been duly appointed, in nc.
cordance with custom which is pecu.
liar to the Order, to inform her of the
distinguished honor that had been con.
ferred on her husband, and to solicit her
concent to his acceptance of the office.
another stipulation peculiar only to the
Knights OF Pythias. Mr.. Maxon. they
said, according to their rules, would hold
the Office for three years, and would re.
celve an annual salary of $1,162, this
being the exact amount according to the
tribute levied on each knight by the SUI.
perlor council. Mrs. Maxon was over.
Joyed, and thanked the courteous gentle.
men-who had meanwhile seated them
selves in the parlor-and gave her freest
consent to the acceptance of the hipll
antt lucrative office conferred upon her
worthy husband. The visitors rose TO
leave, and, as they were about to with.
draw with all the thoughtful etiquette of
thorough gentlemen, one of them sud
denly remarked:
''Oh by the way, Mrs. Maxon, I al.
most forgot to give you this note. Mr..
Maxon especially impressed upon me
not to forget its delivery"
n hurrledly written note was handed
Mrs. NJ, and eXcusing herself, she retir-
ed to the lighter parlor and read:
DEAR WIFE Il have been selected
from among the 375 members of my
lodge to act as Chancellor, flatterino
office worth nearly 81 1900 year. 1t is
always customary for the newly-clected
Chancellor to furnish refreshments for
the knights. L have only SIS with me
Please send me at least $50. for must
do the thing up well. Send 500 if you
have it handy, or borrow it of the neigh
bors. 1t will all come back when | get
my first months salarY-Sl0O.
Your loving husband,
JAMES MAXoN.
Mrs. Maxon's eyes opened, and she
thought a moment. Then she went to
wardrobe, plunged her hand into the
pocket of her silk dress, pulled out q
pretty Russia leather purse, and from its
snugly tucked up corner took bill. 1t
looked nice and fresh, and had in big
figures on it $500" Going to the door
she inquired of the waiting gentlemen,
"Will you take the money to him?" The
kind-loolIing fellow who handed her the
note, protesting not TO know what was
in it, spoke up, "Oh, certainly, certain
ly. I'll see that he gets IL safely. Glad
to accommodate you, madam"
Said Mrs. Maxon, Il have only 500
bill, and James wants but fifty, and be.
sides that, / don't want to send the whole
of it. Will you get it changed for me,
please?"
The two gentlemen consulted a mo-.
ment and then said. ooh, we have
change" and striaghtway made mp fifty
dollars, and gave it TO Mrs. NJ. i'm ex.
change for the bill, and wishing her a
very good night, retired with all the ell
egant grace and manliness characters
tic Of the noble Pythian Knights
In about twenty minutes Mr.. Maxon
came home. why" said his wife, Il
thought you were entertaining your
knightly associates. Ididn't expect you
before midnight, considering the amount
of money you wanted for your feast"
What do you meanT" inquired Mr.
Maxon. II don't understand YOU"
"Why, didn't you send me ths?" said
Mrs. NJ, rs she handed him the note
Right after you left two very clever
looking gentlemen called and said you
had been elected TO some high Office
Chancellor, | think-and !, Of course
Maxon, who had glanced over the note
and discovered its complexion. ejacula.
ted, You gave it TO them? Why it's n
diabolical swindle. Did you give them
any money? How much?"
why / gave them a hundred dollar
bill, and they gave me fifty dollars in
change. Here it is
Mr.. Maxon, in n despairing way, took
the money and carelessly glanced IL o.
yer at first, then more eagerly scanning
each bill carefully, well, we'll" said he
ut last, This is a diabolical outrage
Why, all ofthis moneyis counterfeit ex.
cept two five dollar notes But where in
the name ofcOmmon sense did you ever
get q S100bill? You didn't borrow that
Of the neighbors. did your"
NO" said Mrs. MaxOn, who appeared
20 her husband to be strangely undis-
turbed. II took that 500 note you gave
me about year ago. Don't you remem.
Der? You told me to look out and not
to spend it,"
why, that's counterfeit" said the
husband.
II knew it was. Did you suppose
didn't see through their stupid game,
Mp Maxon? Your wife isn't n fool il
she is woman. Give me them two IS
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