Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-21
he was too proud to complain. He did
hint, but she would not take hint.


Fortunately fer him his salary was rais-
ed to two thousand dollars, but it was
scarcely done before Maria demanded
fifty dollar bill.
You spend more money than you
used to spend Maria he suggested.
What is the use for me to pinch my
self, if you spend all you get'' smiled
Maria, so sweetly he could not say an
other word. Il want to have the good
of the money while it Is going, as we'll
as you.'
Edward had some doubts as to the
consequences, but what puzzled him
most was to know what became of the
money. Another year passed by, and
the danger of running in debt stared
him in the face.
Maria, we are living too fast, l am
afraid he observed in melancholy
tone.
Il am afraid ven are, for yesterday
you brought home pair of chickens for
which you paid twenty cents a pound
replied Maria, with her usual smile.
'Posr, Maria, don't mean these lit
tie things. We must have something
to eat, and while my salary is two thou
sand dollars year 1 mean to liye WE'LL
Great trees from little acorns crew.
she added.
Let US step the bung hole first, con-
tinued Edward, desperately. Would
you believe, my dear, that l have given
YOU six hundred dollars year for the
last two years?'
What is six hundred dollars year
for a lady? You were reading, the 9TH
er day, that a great many ladies in New
York spend tive thousand dollars year
fer dress alone. You certainly cannot
complain of six hundred
oh, no, by no means. l de net
mean to complain, replied Edward.
4 knew you didn't. Whatever l
spend gees for good cause
4 suppose SO but I don't care ANY,
thing about it, only that [ am getting a
little short. There is DR.. Smiths bill
of sixty dollars. I don't see hsw | can
pay it,
Let it rest then. lie will never ask
you for IT.
But don't like that way of doing
business. l dent like TO get in debt. |
will 60 and see him.
The doctsr was a rich man and en'r-
ed to take Edwards nste, payable any
time he pleased, which oger the latter
eagerly accepted, promising to take it
up in six months.
No change for the better appeared in
the affairs of the young couple. Maria
kept asking fer money, and she was so
pretty, SO sweet tempered, and so geu-
tie. that Edward wsuld never refuse. II
he demurred, she coaxed it out OF him,
AT the end of six msnths the doctors
note was due, and Edward could not
pay it. He bad borrowed money until
he was ashamed to do so any more.-
But he had a nice sense of honor, and
instead of letting his creditors whistle
for his pay, he went to see him to pro-
cure a further extension.
Doctor, am hard up, said he,
Sorry to hear it,
MY family is getting to be eXpen-
sive.'
BE prudent, then
L can't, my wife
He checked himself. He was impul-
siye. AMI did not mean TO say anything
about Maria.
What Of her? Is she extravagant?
We'll, yes
Put the bit IN her mouth, then,
laughed the doctor.
Dent like to do that
Mustn't let her run yeu.'
Il hope she will not
BE firm Lester. There is only enc
way to do with an extrayagant woman
shut down upon her before she ruins
you.'
i haven't courage to refuse her.
Pm sorry fer you what can | do
for YOU asked the doctor, whe seemed
to be in the best Of humer.
That little note ofmlne-'
What note:'
why, the enc l owe.'
bat you paid that
Gene, doctsr, you are quizzin9 me-
Pom my soul, l am not. Didn't you
pay it few days after ysu gave the
note?'
No, surely replied Edward, con-
founded by the statement.
But am sure you did. Here, con-
tinued the doctor, pulling an account
book from his pocket, here is where
entered the cash. You have got the
note.'
Not L.
Look over your papers and you Will
find it. will % home with YOU
They repaired to the cottage, and Ed
ward, all the time protesting that he
had not paid the money, ransackcd the
papers for the nstc.
There 1t is y exclaimed the doctor
pointing to n paper.
To Edwards astonishm ent he reaC
the note, with the signature torn off,
He was utterly confounded at the dis
covcry. He had no recollection ofhav
inc paid it. and Maria declared she hat
seen him pay 1t.
He was mystified, but was satisfied