Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-04-10
of an empty purse. Put yourself in my
place. How would you like it?''
.sWhY, if had only to ask, first-rate. :;

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 I will regulate. You
come to me for what money you wish tc
spend for yourself; that's all; and give
me your word that you will 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 quarter?''
"Cigars.'
"Well, there are two ten-cent pieces
Try to make that do. Did you ever
reckon up how much year 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 piece, which amounts
to one dollar and forty cents a 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."
Gas our old friend Abigail Stillings
says, Who'd a-think it, 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.
"TH 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"
.sHallo. Grayr' cried a voice, inter
rupting his reflections. s'What is the
brain-study about?' 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 a week, Mn. Gray in
vited him home. .a - a- - '= ''ss
He lit a cigar, and handed its mate to
Frank, as he did this. The two con-
versed of old times until they reached
Mr.. Gray's place of business, when they
separated, Frank agreeing to be at the
prised of his coming by note from her
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. q"
care they not good?'' inquired the
dealer. s' We think them our Choicest
s.'They are good. But on second
thought, l will not take any tonight -
Mr.. Gray had always purchased his
cigars as he used them; but now he
wished he had a box at home. How
ever, he decided tosask his wife for some
money, and run out and fill his case,
without his friend S knowledge. Twenty
four hours had passed, and he had al
ready begun to experience a feeling of
shame, and a disinclination, to ask for
money. A thought of Annie crossed his
mind. .sPshaw! she doesn't have to
treat friends to CIGARS he muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house, and Annie had a tempting little
supper for them; and Annie was looking
her prettiest.
When supper was over, he took Annie
aside and asked for a 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 filled the house with
villainous odor, for he had to get them
at new place, Benson's being too far
off
The next day, the two friends started
out together, when Mr.. Gray, with an air
of having forgotten something, said,
Excuse me minute.''
"I'n go back with you, if you have
forgotten anything" said Mr.. Raymond.
Mr.. Gray clapped his hand on his
pocket. 54
81 thought 1 had forgotten my pocket
book, but haven't" he said. 81 So it s
all right and then hurried on, his
cheeks tingling with shame at the de-
ceit. But he could not risk having his
friend go back with him, and stand By,
while he asked for money.
Mr.. Gray was lucky, that day. He
had no calls for money, and he had half.
a-dozen of those horrid cigars left, a
couple of which he smoked on the street,
after his friend left him. In fact, he
concluded to risk another day, in the
same way. But on this day, he realized
the old adage, s'It never rains but il
pours;'' for from being asked to change
a bill, to getting his coat ripped, and
asking for credit at his tailor's, the day
was series of notifications. IS
Annie was unaware of all this; In fact
she thought her husband was failing tc
realize the situation; SO when, at night
Mr.. Gray asked her for money to spend
the next day, she wickedly put him of
with some. excuse, and ingeniously
evaded the request until he was forced
to prefer it before his friend.
a want dollar or two, Annie. Please
get it for me,n he said, in an off-hand
manner.
q A dollar or two! What do you want
with a dollar or two?''
q There, Annie, don't bother fellow.
I'm in hurry
But with grave deliberation, she drew
| out quarter, and laid it down, then an
other and another. next two dimes.
8. Let me see-three quarters seventy
five, ten is eighty-fve-te -ten-ninety-f
/ and here is three-cent piece-ninety-
eight cents. Will that do?'
ssYes," and Mr.. Gray hustled them
| into his pocket, and hurried from the
room.
He was in hopes his friend would in
quire into the cause of the scene, wheI
he would tell him of the compact and
how it originated. 1t would then pas
as joke. But Mr.. Raymond did no
make any remark. Instead he though
to himself:
'.Good gracious! What horrid grinG
she is! And thought her SO pretty.
never supposed Albert would have made
| such meek husband. Catch me getting
married, and having quarters doled out tt
me in that wayn'
He pitied his friends embarrassment
but did not appear to notice it. Instead
he chatted unconcernedly of old friend
and past times. Suddenly turning cor
ner, they met two mutual acquaintance
Hand-shakings and inquiries followed
and the four had SO much to say, tina
Mr.. Gray decided to send note to hi
partner, and spend the forenoon with hi
friends.
The party now adjourned to restau
rant, and Mr.. Raymond, aware of tn
exact amount of his-Mr. Gray s-funds
ordered lunch.
Before separating, little excursion t.
Beach Island was proposed for Monday
Nj. Gray invited them, meantime, t
spend the evening at his house. Th
evening passed was pleasant one. An
ME was in excellent spirits; sang an,
played, and was altogether charming
Mr.. Raymond, remembering the money
decided that matrimony was a snare
when women were SO deceptive.
The next day, which was Sunday, Mrs
Gray, without being asked, gravel
handed her husband fifty cents. MI
RAYMOND was present, but did not ap