The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-04-29

before separating, little excursion to
neacn island was proposed for Monday.
MI Gray invited them, meantime. to
spend the evening at his house. The
evening passed was pleasant one. An
ME was In excellent spirits; sang and
prayed and was altogether charming.
Mf. raymond, remembering the money,
decided that matrimony was a snare.
When women were so deceptive.
The next day, which was Sunday. Mrs.
Tray' without being asked, gravely
handed her husband fifty cents. Mr..
raymond was present, but did not ap-
pear TO notice it. He was apparently en-
crossed with the book he was reading.
But he heard Mr.. Gray ask:
what's that for? o, the contribu-
ton box! Thank your he said. But
to himself he added:
Why not save it, to 90 with the
twenty-five cents l have already, so as
not to be compelled to ask for money on
Tuesday? Then if can succeed in get
ting some for Monday trip, without the
knowledge of my friends, this absurd
farce will end, without any more un-
pleasantness.
Monday morning came, all too soon:
Tor try as he would, he could not get the
attention of Annie, when he endeavored
to broach the subject of the projected
trlp. Fidgetting with his knife and fork,
ne cleared his throat, at last, and in
nervous way made the plunge.
Mrs. Gray elevated her eyebrows.
10 the island? Pray for what? 1t
Is hard1y the season for excursions
Mr.. Raymond really pitied his friends
evident distress, so he said, jokingly:
why, you see, Mrs. Gray, we want
to get off for time, as we used to when
we were boys.''
The lady smiled, grimly, and said:
Albert is, as you see, too extravagant
by half. l cannot, in the present State
OF our finances, give my consent to his
gong. With these words, spoken with
great composuue, she walked off, leaving
the gentlemen to themselves.
By heavens, Albert, I never would
stand thatn' said Frank, vehementlv.
10 be tt1tored like a schoolboy!
Haven t you any money at the storep If
not, call upon me for any amount, and
let us hurry, Or we shall be late,
No. Ina afraid / cannot go. Lam
| pledged not to take any money from the
store, and it would not be right to accept
any from ycu.''
Glad OF an excuse, Mr. Gray then told
his friend the secret of his wife's conduct.
''Whew, SO that is it?'' said Frank.
"Well, I'm glad to have my faith in
womankind restored; but isn't she over
doing the matter? Did you ever refuse
her money before othersp''
81 think 1 did, last summer, when
Mrs. Osgood was visiting her. They
wished to go and see friend, living in
Biddeford. l thought it was foolish, and
told them so; and finally refused my
wife the money. The truth is,n apolo-
getically. 81 had met with some losses,
and felt that we must economize.''
"Why not have allowed her to use
her own Judgment? Perhaps she in
tended to- economize in other ways said
Frank.
Il believe she said something of the
kind. But to tell the truth, had got
into the way of thinking that women
needed to be continually curbed, or they
would rln into extravagances.
''lts shame to treat a high-spirited
woman in that way
Il realize it now fully, more fully than
you can, unless you go through with nv
experience. Annie said she had done
plain sewing to pay for things she needed,
rather than ask me for the money. /
understand it now; for would far rather
have earned the money for our trip by
saving wood, than have asked for it.
Fancy having to always askr'
"Do you Know, Albert, am glad this
happened? fmay marry sometime; in
fact, I'm thinking of it strongly, and
now shall avoid the course You have
taken. Otherwise, l presume I might
have done just the same. believe
great many men do
''Do? Why, yes. Ny mother never
had penny without asking father for it,
and she helped earn it all, and was pru-
dence and industry personifed. I'll
turn over a new leaf All. here come
our friends!''
Mr.. Raymond. to Mr.. Gray's great re-
lief, said it would be impossible for him
to 60 on the proposed trip, owing to un-
forseen circumstances, whereupon Mr..
Gray, in an off-hand manner, proposed. |
that as Frank could not go, they should
all come to his house that evening again |
"My wife will be glad to see you,"
said he.
The week hat passed, and Richard |
was himself again. or could be if he |
chose.
"There, Albert said his wife, "I
am glad the farce is ended. Resume
your prerogative.a
1t was Tuesday evening, at half-past
six precisely, when Mrs. Gray said this.
At the same time, she handed her hus-
band his pocket-book; and then returned |
to her seat.
Mr.. Gray counted the money care
fully, and then divided it into two equal
piles.
This accomplished, he crossed over
to his wife, and placed one in her lap,
saying:
Henceforth, we will share alike. |
Buy what you choose. I have faith in
your prudence and Judgment. am not
infallible. Why need / sit in judgment
upon you?"
Mrs. Gray's eyes glistened with pride
and happiness, as she replied:
Believe me, Albert, you will never
have cause to regret this; for now shall