The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-11-01
THE FIFTY-DOLLAR BILL.

Mrs. Dean sat alone I'M her little
kitchen. She never used her
parlor. There was the extravaganza
of an extra fire to be considered-the
fact that the best rag carpet. woven
by her own skillful hands, must not
he worn out too recklesslv, the dread
possibility of sunshine fading ont those
chair covers. Mrs. Dean was an
economist. She believed in making
everything last as long as it possibly
coull. And so she made the kitchen
her headquarters. and sat there knit
ting, with her feet comfortably bal
anced on the stone hearth. the sauce
pan of apples bubbling softly away at
the back, and the sound of her hus-
bands axe ringing from the back
shed.
She was little, wrinkled faced
woman of fifty. with stiff ribbon bows
to her cap, hair that seemed dried up
instead of silvered, and keen blue
eyes that twinkled as if they had dis
covered the secret Of perpetual motion.
To save money was her chief epd and
aim in life The very mittens she
was knitting were TO be sold at the
village store in exchange for tea.
sugar, spices, and all such groceries.
"A penny saved is As good as penny
earned" was the golden rule by which
she shaped her life.
I'm glad | took that money out of
the savings bank yesterday" said Mrs.
Dean TO herself as the bright needles
slicked merrily away. people say il
isn't safe; and one can't be 100 care
full. But then, again, there's the dam
GER of burglars though, to be sure,
no burglar" she added, with a com
piacent inward chuckle, "would ever
think Of looking in tie folds of the
old Clinkerville Clarion newspaper in
the wall-pocket on the wall. Its the
bureau drawers and the trunks, and
all locked up chests they aim for. A
new $50 bill-a clean, crisp, new $50
bill. And all the savings, too, out of
the house money"
just then there sounded 4 knock at
the door, and i'm came old DIR. Bridg-
nan, rubicund with the touch of the
March wind.
Good day. Mrs. Dean, good day"
said he. "No, thank you; l can't
sit down. I'm a deal too busy for
that. But heard Yesterday that you
. took $50 ont of the savings bank -
Yes" said Mrs Dean. her face
involuntarily hardening, 81 did,
I'VE are taking up subscription
to get little lame Dick Bodley a cart
and donkey. so that be can 60 around
peddilng tinware," said the doctor.
Its pretty hard for any one afflicted
as he is to get along, and if you can
help us little"
But / can't" interposed Mrs.
Dean, breathlessly. "The money was
an investment.
Its deed of charity, Mrs. Dean,
TO help lame Dick Bodley"
Il dare say but / never pretend to
he a charitable character
The old doctor went away, and the
next visitor was Helen Hurst, rosy
girl Of eighteen.
Excuse me for interrupting you,
Mrs. Dean" said she, but Larry
johnson was at the bank yesterday.
and he tells me that you drew out
your money!"
WAS all creation there ?" thought
Mrs. Dean.
But she said nothing, only knit
away until her needles seemed to
glance and glitter like points of fire.
Il am trying to get boarding place
at Mrs. Swipes," added Helen, color
ing, $50 as to be near the district
school, where / am to teach this
spring. But Mrs. Swipes requires
payment in advance by the month,
and unfortunately we have used up
all our slender means in providing
my outfit. A teacher, you know,
must be dressed decently. But if YOU
would kindly lend me $40"
II never lend
Il VIII be sure to pay it up when 1
receive my first quarters salary"
ats altogether against my princi-
pies" said Mrs Dean. with her face
a. hard a. if it had been carved out
of hickory.
Helen Hurst crept out, feeling
Inundated and disappointed beyond
all expression.
Mrs. Dean chuckled at her own
shrewdness but she hardly had time
IL stir up the apples in the saucepan
before Mrs. Graham entered with a
little leather covered memorandum
book and pencil.
Il am looking for charitable nen- I.