Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-08
LITTLE THINGS.

dye do, my good fellow%
Such were the exclamations with
which two neighbors greeted each
other, as they met, one evening
about sundown, on their way home
from business. After a few inqui-
ries about each others families, for
both were married men, and the
stereotyped complaints respecting
the hard times, of which merchants
complain as proverbially as farmers
do Of bad crops, Brown said to his
friend:
"Suppose we try a few oysters,
Jones. I've found a place where
they keep capital ones. You don't
have supper quite yet ?"
"No, there's plenty Of time. III
go with pleasure"
So the two husbands turned aside
into a saloon, where, in the course
of an hours chat, they managed tc
spend half adollar each, partly in
oysters, partly in brandy and water
''to make the OYSTERS" as they said
digest"
Meantime Mrs. Jones, the young
est of the two wives, sat pondering
why her husband did not come
home. She had been into tht
kitchen two or three times, to SCI
that supper was ready and being
kept hot, for Mr.. Jones was one O
those men who neither like to wal
for meal nor eat a cold one. Al
last, full an hour after his usua
time, the husband made his appear
ance.
"Take up supper" cried Mrs
Jones, running to the kitchen door
"It's Mr.. Jones, I'll let him in my
SELF" and as she spoke she breath
lesssy hurried to admit her hus
band.
"Supper's on the table, dear,
she said, as she chung tohim. "I'v
made your favorite cake, and hop
it will turn out well. Only In
afraid it's spoilt by the delay. Blu
3 I suppose business kept you, an
so it can't be helped"
The husband did not contradiC
his wife. But, when he came t
try the cake, he pushed it away.
'"I8n't it right" said the wife
, the tears coming into her eyes.
eyes! it will do" answered Nj
b Jones, "onlyits not quite up to th
thing, and besides I'm not hungry.
5 Poor ladyl She fancied tha
}, these last words were said in orde
to spare her feelings, and that tn
reason her husband did not eat wa
!, because the cake was bad. He
Y afternoons happiness had consiste
a of thinking how agreeably her hui
( band would be surprised at tn
. little delicacy. But this was
l. DESTROYED now. She had no app
., tite herself to eat, and really fal
!, !, cied the cake tasted fiat; in fact,
d d was as much as she could do
command her feelings.
Her husband saw and partial
understood her emotion. A sing
III word from him could have explain
D ed all, and he knew it; but he W
is At ashamed, at first, to say that
h had been lettering on his way hon
and afterward it was too late. !
a. last he became angry at his wife +
= being hurt, as men strangely W
!. when themselves in fault. 1t W
a miserable evening for poor M
Jones.
Meantime Mr.. Brown had al
reached his home. His wife "
waiting for him.
"Where have you been,
dear?" she said. "How late y
~ are! But come, don't lose a n
ment, supper's waiting, and l wa
YOU take me to the concert
- night"
4! As she spoke she led the "
: briskly to the supper-room.
CA concert?"
"Yes, my dear" answered
wife, turning cheerfully aroul
"and I've promised sister Jane
~ meet her there. If we don't hun
'uI- all the best seats will be filled
=. fore we arrive"