The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-05-01

| tAiouSu l0int WIN uuHkCEs
Mr.. Gray looked shocked.
"Why did you not come to mep"
because 1t was out of the way; an
because, to tell the truth, l felt to
Cross
Gross with me?''
"Yes, with you,'' and poor Annie
grievances burst forth.
ITO be going along the street hun
grier than any beggar, while my hus
band is known as the successful Mr.
Gray! To have no money in my pocket
because my husband thinks am not t.
be trusted Before married you / wa
in business, the same as you; that is,
earned my living by teaching; you earnet
yours by trading. Now, suppose whel
we married, you had given up your bust
ness to assist me, or because it interferet
with your new duties, and / allowed vol
no money to spend, as you choose.
dressed you well, to be sure; but CAV,
you no money, without the why's, where
fore's and whither's being inquired into
in short, treated you as you do me?"
"You exaggerate the case, Annie.
Men and women are differently situated
l should think you would be glad to b.
saved the trouble of earning a livelihood
But just consider the disadvantages
of an empty purse. Put yourself in my
place. How would you ike it?''
"Why, if / had only to ask, first-rate. y
"Well, then, suppose you let me carry
the pocket-book for a week"
"But, Annie, it isn't practicable. You
couldn't attend to business at the store.'
"Of course not. 1t is only your per-
sonal expenses / 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 win take no
money from the store"
"All right. I'll do it, just to show
you that it's easy enough. Here's the
pocket-book. And he gave it into her
hand. but I'll take quarter, first, to
begin on"
What do you want Of a quarterr'
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 day, at an average cost of
ten cents a piece, which amounts
to one dollar and forty cents week.
Now, fifty-two times one forty make
seventy-two dollars and eighty cents a
year, to say nothing of those you give
your friends. A hundred dollars will
scarcely cover your expenses in that line. I"
"As our old friend Abigail Stillings
says, Who'd a-think it,'n said Mr..
Gray, laughing; but he 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.
"rll risk it," he said to himself.
/" Perhaps I'll not want to buy anything.
I'll show Annie that man can do with
out money"
HALO, Gray!' cried voice, inter-
rupting his reflections. "What is the
brain-study aboutp" 1t was his old
friend, Frank Raymond.
The two men had not met since Mr..
Gray's marriage, and as Frank was to
remain in town for week, Mr.. Gray in
vited him home.
He Lit cigar, and handed its mate to
Frank, as he did this. The two con-
yersed of old times until they reached
Mr.. Gray's place of business, when they
Frank agreeing to be at the
Gray's at six o'clock Annie was APP
prised OF his coming by note from her
husband
Going home, that night, as was his in
variable custom, he ran into Benson's
to buy some cigars. Benson was sur
prised to see him drop the dozen he had
taken up.
Are they not goodp' inquired the
dealer. " We think them our choicest
"They are good. But on second
thought, / win not take any tonight"
Mr.. Gray had always purchased his
cigars as he used them; but now he
wished he had box at home. How
ever, he decided to ask his wife for some
money, and run out and fill his case,
without his friend knowledge. Twenty
four hours had passed, and he had al
ready begun to experience a feeling of
shame, and Discrimination to ask for
money. A thought of Annie crossed his
mind. "Pshawf she doesn't have to
treat friends to CIGARS" he muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house, and Annie had tempting little
supper for them; and Annie was looking
her prettiest.
When supper was over, he took Annie
aside and asked for dollar, which An
ME gave him, grudgingly. Then he ex-
cused himself, for moment, and bought
some cigars. They were wretched af-
fairs, however, and filed the house with
, villainous odor, for he had to get them
1t new place, Benson's being too far
,ff.
The next day, the two friends started
)ut together, when Mr.. Gray, with an air
If having forgotten something, said,
. Excuse me a minute"
I'm 60 back with you, if you have
orgotten anything" said Mr.. Raymond.
Mr.. Gray clapped his hand ON his
,ocket.
81 thought had forgotten my pocket |
L ~