The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-05-25

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der to save her money. While down
town she felt faint and hungry from her
walk and would have liked a lunch, but
she bad no money to spare.
"Oh, by the way, Annie, did you go
down town to-dayf" asked Mr.. Gray at
night.
"Yes," she replied.
"Spent every cent, I'll be bound,' Jok-
Iingly.
mo, have exactly two cents left
bat l walked both ways, got no crepe
de lise, and went without luncheon al
though faint with hunger"
Mr.. Gray looked shocked.
"Why did you not come to me ?"
sBecause it was out Of the way and
Ibeeepse,to to tell the truth, l felt too cross
sCross with me p 4.
Eyes, with you," and poor Annie's
grievances burst forth.
"To be going down the street hungrier
than any beggar, while my husband is
known as the successful Mr.. Gray! To
have no money in my pocket because
nv husband thinks am not to be trust
ed Before l married you I was in bu-
siness, the same as you; that is, earned
my living by teaching you earned yours
by trading. Now, suppose when we
married you had given up your business
to assist me, or because it interfered
with your new duties, and / allowed you
no money to spend without the why's
wherefores and whithers being inquired
into; in short, treated ycu as you dc
me p
You exaggerate the case,' Annie
Men and women are differently situated
| should think you would be glad to be
saved the trouble Of earning )iveli.
hood"
"But just consider the disadvantages
of an empty purse. Put yourself in my
place. How would you like it ?"
"Why, i'll only hae 10 ask, first rate y
"Well, then, suppose you let me car.
~ the pocket book for week."
"But. Annie, it isn't practicable. You
couldn't attend to business at the store y
"Of course not. 1t is only your per.
sonal expenses I will regulate. You
come to me for what money you wish to
spend for yourself, that's all: and give
me your word that you will take no
money from the store"
Cali right. I'll do 1t, Just to show
you that it's easy enough. Here's the
pocketbook." And be gave it into her
bands. "But I'll take quarter. first to
begin on"
"What do you want of quarter
"Cigars."
"Well, there are two ten-cent pieces.
Try to make that do. Did you ever
reckon up how much your cigars cost
you in the course of the year? Let us
see. You smoke at least two a-day, at
an average cost OF ten cents a piece,
which q mounts to one dollar and forty
centsda week Now. ffty.two-times one
forty make seventy-two dollars and
eighty cents wear, to say nothing OF
those you give to your friends. A hum
dred dollars will scarcely cover your ex-
penses in that line"
GAS your old friend, Abigail Stillings.
says, Who'd a-think it," said Mr..
Gray, laughing; but be was surprised to
find the sum so large.
The next morning Mr. Gray had gone
some distance from the house before he
remembered that he had only twenty
cents.
"I'll risk it," he said to himself. "Per.
haps III not want to buy anything. I'll
show Annie that man can do without
money"
"Hallo, Gray" cried a voice Interrupt
ting his reflections. "What is the brain
study aboutP" 1t was his old friend,
Frank Raymod.
The two men had not met since Mr..
Gray's marriage, and as Frank was to
remain in town for a week, Mr.. Gray in
vited him home.
He LIT cigar, and handed It's mate TO
Frank, as he did this. The two conver.
aed of old times until they reached Mr..
Gray's place Of business, when they
separated, Frank agreeing to be at Gray g
at six o'clock Annie was apprised of
bis coming by note from her husband.
Going home that night, as was bis in
variable custom, he ran into Benson's to
lbuy some cigars. Benson was surprised
to see him drop the dozen he had taken
up.
"Are they not goodp" inquired the
dealer. I'VE think them our choicest"
"They are good. But on second
thought I will not take any tonight"
Mr.. Gray had always purchased his
cigars as be used them; but now be
wished he had box at home. Howev-
er, be decided to ask his vile for some
money, and run out and fill his case,
without his friends knowledge. Twen
ty-four hours bad passed, and be had
begun to experience feeling of shame
and disinclination to ask for money
Although of Annie crossed his mind
"Pshaw she don't have to treat friends
to c,gars." be muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house, and Annie had a tempting little
supper for them; and Annie was looking
hes prettiest.
When snpper was over. he took Annie
aside and asked for dollar, which An.
ME gave him, grudgingly. Then be ex
cused himself for moment and brought
some cigars. They we're wretched af'
fairs, however, and filed the house with
a villainous odor, for he had to get them
at new place, Benson's being too fal
of.
The next day the two friends started
out together, when Mr.. Gray, with ar
air of having forgotten something, said
Excuse me minute"
"I'll 90 back with you,if you have for
gotten anything" said Mr.. Raymond.
Mr.. Gray clapped his hand on BIZ
pocket.
81 thought Ihad forgotten my posk
et-book, but haven't" he said. "St
it's all right" and then hurried on, BIZ
cheeks tingling with shame at the deceit
But he could not risk having his frient
90 back With him, and stand by, Will
he asked for money.
! Mr.. Gray was lucky that day. H
had no calls for money, and he hnd hal
dozen OF those horrid cigars left,
couple of which he smoked on the stree
after his friend left him. In fact, he con
| - 4 ~ a. A.