Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-04-13
MIsCELLAHEoUs.
SHE KNEW HER BUSINESS.

| ~ valiant knight of PNthias. The other
\ night he left home, telling Mrs Maxon that
he going to the lodge About half, past
| s o'clock two wcll>drcssed mcn raug the door.
bell, aud when Mrs. Maxon appeared they an
nounccd themselves as companion knights of
| Pythias They said that the Lodge had Just
held an election and that Mr.. Maxon had
been unanimously called TO the Chaucellors
chair-tho highest position in the lodge
They had been duly appointed. in accordance
with custom which is peculiar to the Order,
to inform her of the distinguished houor that
had been conferred on her husband, and to so.
licit 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. aud would receive au annual
salary of 81, ,lG2, this being the exact amount
according to the tTibute levied on each knight
by the superior council. Mrs. Maxon was
overj"ycd, and thanked the courteous gcntic>
nIcn-who had meanwhile sested themselves
in the par'cr-and gave her frcest consent to
the acceptance of the high and lucrative of
tice conferred upon her worthy husband The
visitors rose to leave, aud. as they were about
to Withdraw with all the thoughtful etiquette
OF thorough gentlemen, one of lhem suddeuIy
remarked
"Oh By the way, Mrs Maxon. 1 almost
forgot to give you this uOto. Mr.. Maxon es.
peciaily impressed upon me not to forget it's
delivery"
\ hurricdly written note was handed Mrs.
NJ. and excusing herself, she retired to the
ligl ter parIor and read
DEAR WIFE:-I have been selected from
among the 375 members of MY lodge tn act
as Chancellor, a 1rttering Office worth nearly
= = al
rha newly, elected Chancellor, 10 furnish re.
frrshmcnts for the knights. haze only SIS
with me. Please send r,e at least $50, for
aust do the thing up we'll Send Sl0O ryou
have it handy, or borrow il Of the neighbors
1t will ali come hack when get my FIRST
months salary
Your loving husband.
JAMES MAxoN.
Mrs. Maxon's eyes opened. and she thought
a moment. Then she went to a wardrobe,
plunged her hand into the pocket of her silk
dress, pulled out a pretty Russia leather
purse, and from its snugly tucked up corner
tOk bill. 1t looked nice aud fresh, and
had in big figures on it $500" Going to
the door she inquired of the waiting gente>
men, ''WiiI you take the money to him ~
The kirdl looking fellow who handed her
the note, protesting not to know what was
in it, spike mp, "Oh. certainly, certainly,
Ill sec that he gets it safely. Glad to ac-
commodate you, madam"
Said Mrs. Maxor, IL have only 300 bill.
aud James wants but fifty, and besides that,
l don't want TO send the whole Of it. Will
you get it changed for me, please I"
The two gentlemen consulted moment and
then said, 'Oh. we have CHANGE" and
striaghtway made up fifty dollars. and gave it
to Mrs. NJ. in exchange for the bill, and wish
ing her very good night, retired with all the
the noble Pythian Knights.
In about twenty minutes Mr.. Maxou came
home. Why" said his wife. II thought
you we're entertaining your knightly associates
didn't expect you before midnight, consid-
ering the amount of money you wanted for
your feast"
What do you mean ?" inquired Mr. Mag
on. 81 don't understand you
''Why didn't ynu send me this ?" said Mrs.
NJ, as she handed him the Bote. Right af-
ter you left two very clever looking gentlemen
called and said you had been elected TO some
high Office -Chancellor, 1 think-and 1, of
course, -
Maxon. who had glanced over tho Dotc and
discovered its complexion. calculated, You
gave ito them7 Why it's diaboIical swim
die. Did you give them any money! How
much ?'
"Why I gave them hundred dollar bill,
and they gave me fifty dollars in change
Here it is"
Mr. MaxoD, in a despairipg way. took the
none and carelessIy glanced it over at first,
then more aeeerIy scanning each bill carefully,
We'll, well, (" said he at last, ''This is dia-
bolical outrage Why, all of this money Is
couDterft except two Eve dollar notes! But
where in the name of common sense did you
ever get 500 bill? You didn't borrow
that of the neighbors. did you %
NO." said Mrs Maxon, who appeared to
her husband to be strangely undisturbed. 81
took that 500 note you gave me about year
ago. Don't yor remember? You told me
to look out and not to spend it."