Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-04-22
HOW HIS WIFE FOUND IT OUT.

HOW HIS WIFE FOUND IT OUT
James Maxon ID . duly initiated and
valiant Knight Of Pythias, residing OF
Fourth street. The other night he lef'
home, telling his wife that he was goine
to the lodge. About $50 O'Clock tws
well-dressed men rang the door bell
and when Mrs. Maxon appeared they
introduced themselves as companior
Knights of Pythias. They said the
lodge had Just held an election, and
that Mr.. Maxon had been unanimously
called to the Chanceror's chair-ths
highest position IN the lodge. They
had beer duly appointed, in accordance
with the custom which is peculiar to
this order, to inform her Of the honor
that had been conferred upon her hus.
band, and to solicit her consent to the
acceptance of the Office, another stipu.
lation peculiar only to the Knights Of
Pythias. Mr.. Maxon, they said, ac.
cording TO their 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 tri-
butte levied on each Knight by the Su.
perior Council. Mrs. Maxon was over.
joyed, thanked the courteous gentlemen
who had meanwhile seatedthemselves
in the parlor-and gave her freest con-
sent to the acceptance of the high and
lucrative Office conferred on her worthy
husband. The visitors rose to leave,
and, as they were about to withdraw
with all the thorghtful etiquette of
thorough gentlemen, one of them sud-
denly remarked:
"Oh, BY the way, Mrs. Maxon, al
most forgot to give you this note. Mr..
Ma1on especially impressed it upon me
not to forget its delivery"
A hurried!y written note was handed
to Mrs NJ, and, excusing herself, she
retired to the lighted parlor and read :
DEAR WIFE: have been selected
from among the S75 members of my
lodge to act as Chancellor, a fattering
Office worth sl,l62 year. 1t is al
ways customary for the newly-elected
Chancellor to furnish refreshments for
the Knights. / have only So with me.
Please send me at least $50, for 1 must
do the thing up well. Send me 500,
if you have it handy. 1t will all come
back when I get my first months sala-
airy. Your loving husband,
]. s. MAxoN.
Mrs. Maxon's eyes opened, and she
thought a moment. Then she went to
wardrobe, plunged her hand into a
pocket Of her black sill; dress, pulled
out pretty Russia purse, and from it
took bill. 1t looked nice and fresh,
and had in big figures upon it 900"
Going to the door, she inquired of the
waiting gentlemen
"Wili you take the money to him.
The ine-looking fellow who handed
her the noe, protesting not to know
what was in it, spoke up:
'Oh, certainly, certainly; I'll see that
he gets it safely. Glad to accommodate
you, madam"
Said Mrs. Maxon, 81 have only got a
SlC0 bill, and James wants but $50, and
besides that / don't want to send the
whole of it. Will you get it changed
for me, please 2"
The two men consulted moment,
and then said, "Oh, we have change -
Straightway they made up $50, gave
it to Mrs. III. in exchange for the bill
and, wishing her very good night, re-
tired with all the eelcgant grace and man.
illness characteristic of the noble Pythiar
Knights.
In about twenty minutes Mr.. NJ. came
home.
"Why," said his wife, "I thought you
were entertaining your knightly asso.
ciates-I didn't expect you before mid.
night, considering the amount of money
you wanted.
What do you mean" asked Mr.
NJ. II don't understand you"
Didn't YOU send me this z" said
Mrs. Maxon, as she handed him the
note. Right after you left two very
clever looking gentlemen called in and
said that you had been elected to some
high office-Chaucellor, 1 think-and 1
of course, I"
Maxon, who had glanced over the
note and discovered its com mplexion said
"You gave it to them? Why it's g
swindle, Did You give them any mon.
ey? How much 2"
"Why, l gave them 500 bill, ani
they gave me $50 in change. Here il
is"
Mr.. Maxon, in despairing way, tool
the money and care!essly glanced ovel
it at first, then more eagerly, scanning
each bill carefully.
"Well, WELL" said he, at last, ''thi.
is double outrage. Why, all thi
money is counterfeit except two s.
notes But where in the name ofcom
mon sense did you ever get slo0: Yo'
didn't borrow that Of the neighbors
did you 90
NO." said Mrs. Maxon, who appear
cd TO her husband To he strangely un
disturbed. Il took tha. Slo0 note yo'
lave me about n year ago. Don't yo,
remember? You told me to look on
and not spend it."
why, that's a counterfeit ]" saiith
husband
"I know il was. Did you suppose
didn't see through their stupid game
Mr.. Maxon: Your wife isn't fool i
she Is n woman. Give me them tw,