The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-11-10

uVeuoIs xi0uCluS ~ - oAV0I Sb0otluXs
had been exchanged.
"Oh, )" putin Kate. 'sis it that Gar.
isle we were speaking OFF You said
you d bring one up"
"No, it is not. Invent for copy,
but they had none of the cheap editions,
and thought it hardly worth while to
pay two dollars for one."
He leisurelv unwrapped his parcel,
showing Tiptoe picture inside, united
various bits of ribbon, giving them to
him to tie on Carlo ears, then took out
cigar which he smelled critically be
fore setting it approvingly between his
lips.
"What does such box as that cost
you, RobertY' asked his mother.
About eight dollars and -a-half,
ma am" he answered. with a perfectly
unsuspecting smile. ''Ifrequently buy
by the box because find it quite lit
tie saving, and, of course, have tc
watch the corners, for our expenses
naturally increase little each year"
His look of virtuous frugality seemed,
however, lost upon his mother, as she
said, dryly: II am glad you appreciate
the need of it. How long does such a
box last your"
"Well--I can hardly say. Perhaps
month, perhaps not SO long"
But it seems to me, Robert, you
spend more money on yourself than
you do on Kate"
Mrs. Kate hid her face behind Tip.
toe curls to hide smile at her moth.
er-in-law's light skirmishing.
"What?" said Robert. looking up in
surprise. Why--don't you have
money enough. Kate? Why didn't you
tell me. dearg'
Her tender heart was disarmed al
once, and she was about to protest that
she never wanted anything, but Mrs.
Pringle, the elder, struck in. with q
warning glance at her: "You know,
Robert, it is not pleasant for wife to
be always obliged to ask for what she
wants for her own little fancies. Now
think it would be a very good plan fol
you to hand her the same amount you
spend in cigars, monthly, say-for her
own personal qualification.
That's good suggestion, mother.
I'll do it,
"Then bear in mind" Mrs. Pringle
was very fond of clinchiug thing
when she went at it, '.your best way
will be to keep a careful account OF
your own expenditure, and hand her,
regularly, the same
Agreed, ma am.'
He sat for awhile after dinner enjoy
ing his mother visit, chatting pleas
antly. smoking three cigars meanwhile
ana putting few more in his pocket as
he started down town, never dreaming
that, according to his wise's mental
calculation. he could burn up more
money in an hour than she could save
by sewing all her spare time for half a
day.
Robert Pringle conscientiously made
an entry, in corner of his pri-
waite memorandum book, of every cent
he spent in tobacco during the follow.
ing month, beginning with the box of
cigars. which lasted exactly eleven days.
was promptly replaced, and smaller
purchases made as convenient. To do
him justice, his really generous and
rather uncalcu!ating disposition had
gone far, as his wife had asserted, to-
ward preventing. on his part. any fair
understanding OF his own extravaganza,
for he, by no means, smoked all he
bought, but in the usual course of DO
lite exchange which prevails among
gentlemen, man of his open handed
disposition was sure to bear the heavier
burthen.
"Phe-ew-w-wr' he calculated, az he
cast up the items for the month sue
ceeding his agreement with his mother.
He went over the short column from
the bottom up. then from tho top down.
There was no mistake figures never
asserted themselves more vigorously
than those which calmly stared him in
the face, expressing: