The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-02-11
How Troy Woman Got a New Bonnet.

he Troy IL 4 fNtt5 tSi1S lulS tUlcI-
tanning little story:
James Maxon is q duly-initiated and
valiant knight of Pythias, residing on
home, telling Mrs. Maxon that he was
eigh. O'Clock two well-dressed men rang
the door-bell, and when Mrs. Maxon ap-
peared they introduced themselves as
companion Knights of Pythias. They
said the lodge had just held an election
and that Mr.. Maxon had been unani-
mously called to the Chancellor's chair
the highest position in the lodge. They
had been duly appointed, in accordance
with the custom which is peculiar to
gunned -nohor 1far nad uetn 'h9dtftpI
on her husband and to solicit her consent
to his acceptance of the office, another
stipulation peculiar only to the Knights
of Pythias. Mr.. Maxon, they said, ac-
cording to the rules, would hold the
office for three years and would receive
an annual salary of 81 ,162, this being the
exact amount according to the tribute
levied on each knight by the Superior
Council Mrs. Maxon was overioyed,
thanked the courteous gentlemen-who
had meanwhile seated themselves in the
parlor-and gave her freest consent to
the acceptance of the high and lucrative
office conferred upon her worthy hus-
band. The visitors rose to leave, and as
they were about to withdraw with all
the thoughtful etiquette of thorough
gentlemen one of them suddenly re-
marked: "Oh! by the way, Mrs. Maxon,
| almost forgot to give you this note
Mr.. Maxon especially impressed it upon
me not to forget its delivery" A hur-
rledly-written note was handed to Mrs.
M, and excusing herself she retired to
the lighted parlor and read:
DEAR WIFE: 1 have been selected from among
the 3'5 members of my lodge to act as Chancef-
Tor, iattering Office worth nearly 81 200 wear.
1t is always customary for the newly-elected
Chancellor to furnish refreshments for the
knights. have only IS with me. Please send
Send 500 if you have it handy, or borrow it Of
the neighbors. II will all come back when get
band, JAMES MAXoN.
Mrs. Maxon's eyes opened, and she
thought moment. Then she went to a
wardrobe, plunged her hand into the
pocket of her black silk dress, pulled out
a pretty Russia-leather purse, and, from
its snugly tucked-up corner, took bill.
1t looked nice and fresh, in big figures
upon 1t 800" Going to the door she
Will you take the money to him." The
fine-looking fellow who handed her the
note, protesting not to know what was in
it, spoke up: "Oh, certainly, certainly,
III see that he gets it safely. Glad to
accommodate you, madam"
SAID Mrs. Maxon: Il have only a 800
bill and James wants but $50, and beside
that. don't wish to send the whole of
it: Will you get it changed for me,
please?"
The two gentlemen consulted mo-
ment and then said: "Oh, we have
change" Straightway they made up
$50, gave it to Mrs. NJ in exchange for
the bill, and, wishing her a very good
night, retired with all the elegant grace
and manliness characteristic of the noble
Pythian Knights
In about twenty minutes Mr.. Maxon
came home. why" said his wife, " l
thought you were entertaining your
knightly associates. / didn't expect you
before midnight, considering the amount
OF money you wanted for your feast"
p" What do you means" inquired Mr..
Maxon. q don't understand YOU"
Why, didn't you send me this?" said
Mrs. NJ, as 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
circulated: You gave it to them?
Why, it's diabolical swindle. Did you
give them any money? How much?"
why, | gave them hundred dollar
bili, and they gave me fifty dollars in
change. Here it is"
Mr.. Maxon, in despairing way, took
the money and carelessly glanced it
over at first, then more eagerly, scanning
each bill carefully. "Well, WE'LL said
he at last, this is a double outrage
Why, all this money is counterfeit ex-
cepting two ive-dollar notes! But where
in the name of common sense did you
ever get 800 billg You didn't borrow
that of the neighbors, did you?"
No" said Mrs. Maxon, who appeared
to her husband to be strangely undis-
turbed. Is took that 800 note you gave
me about year ago. Don't you remem-
bers You told me to look out and not
spend It,"
Why, that's counterfeit!' said the
husband.
knew it was. Did you suppose |
didn't see through their stupid game, Mr..
Maxon' Your wife isn't fool if she is
woman. Give me them two good five
dollar bills, if you please. l Just want a
new bonnet"