St. Landry democrat., 1880-04-24
"Spent every cent, I'll be bound

Mr.. Gray looked shocked.
why did you not come to me?'
| because it was out of the way; an
because, to tell the truth, | felt to-
cross"
Gross with me?''
eyes, with you,'' and poor Annie
grievances burst forth.
"To 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 l wa
in business, the same as you; that is,
earned my living by teaching; you earned
yours by trading. Now, suppose whel
we married, you had given up your bust
ness to assist me, or because it interior
with your new duties, and | allowed 70,
no money to spend, as you choose.
dressed YOU well, to be sure; but gave
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 eNaggerate the case, Annie
Men and women are differently situated
| should think you would be glad to b,
saved the trouble of earning a livelihood. ;
"But just consider the disadvantage:
Of an empty purse. Put yourself in my
place. How would you like it?'
"Why, if | had only to ask, frst-rate. ,
"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 l will regulate. Yol
come to me for what money you wish tc
spend for yourself; that's all; and give
me your word that you will take nc
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 hel
hand. But Ill take quarter, first, tc
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 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. y
"As 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.
"I'll 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!
"Hallo, Gray cried a voice, inter-
rupting his reflections. "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, Mr.. Gray in
vited him home.
He lit cigar, and handed it's 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
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.
care they not good?n inquired the
dealer. ave think them our Choicest
''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 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 feeling of
shame, and Discrimination to ask for
money. A thought Of Annie crossed his
mind. "Pshaw! 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 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
yillainous 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 a minute
"I'l go back with you, if you have
forgotten anything" said Mr. Raymond
Mr.. Gray clapped his hand on his
pocket.
81 thought l had forgotten my pocket
book, but I haven't" he said. $50 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
Dot L 4