The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-10-29
THE FIFTY-DOLLAR BILL.

Mrs. Dean sat alone in her little kitchen.
She never used her parlor. There was the
extravaganza of an extra fire to be consid-
ered-the fact that the best rag-carpet,
woven bv her own skillful hands, must not
be worn out too recklessly, the dread posi-
bility of sunshine fading out these chair
covers Mrs. Bean was all economist. She
believed in making everything last as long
as it possibly could. And 50 she made the
kitchen her headquarters, and sat there
knitting, with her feet comfortably balanced
on the stone hearth, the saucepan OF apples
'bubbling softly away at the back, and the
sound of her husbands axe ringing from the
back shed as he cut and split the
kindling- wood piled up there in we'll
seasoned logs.
She was little, wrinkled-faced woman of
.fiftv. with sti # ribbon bows to her cap, hair
that seemed dried up instead OF sllvered.
and keen blue eyes that twinkled as if they
had discovered the secret of perpetual mo-
ton. To save money was her chief end and
aim IN life. The very mittens she was knit
ting were to be sold at the village store in
exchange for tea, sugar, spices and all such
necessary groceries. "A penny saved is as
good as a penny earned" was the golden rule
by which she shaped her life
81 am glad took that money out OF the
savings bank yesterday said Mrs. Dean To
herself, as the bright needles clicked mer-
rily away People say it isn't quite safe.
And one can't be too careful But tn II,
again, there's the danger of burglars
though to be sure, no burglar she added,
with a complacent. inward chuckle, would
ever think of looking in the folds of the old
Clinkervllle Clarion newspaper In the wall
pocket on the wall It's the bureau drawers
and the trunks and the lookup chests that
they aim for. A $50 bill. a clean, crisp,
new $50 bill And all savings. too, out of
the house money.
Just then there sounded knock at the
door, and in came old DR.. Bridgman, rubi-
cund with the touch of the March wind,
and muffled up in the furs of the wild ami
mails which, from time to time, he himself
had shot.
"Good-day, Mrs. Dean, good-day." said
he mo thank you; | can't sit down. I'm
a deal too busy for that. But heard yes
day that you took $50 out of the Savings
Bank?'
Yes" said Mrs. Dean, her face involun-
rairly hardening, II did"
1--WE are taking up subscription to get
little lame Dick BOdley cart and donkey,
so that he can go around peddling tinware,"
said the Doctor. Its pretty hard for any
one afflicted as he is to get along, and if you
can help us a little"
But l can't" interposed Mrs. Dean,
breathlessly. 1.-THE money was an invest
ment. / don't propose to cut it up into lit
tie bits"
Its deed of charity, Mrs. Dean" said
the good old man, Ito help lame Dick
Bodley."
Il dare say" said Mrs Dean little irri-
charitable character"
The old Doctor went away, and the next
visitor was Helen Hurst, rosy girl of eigh-
teen.
Excuse me for interrupting you, Mrs.
Dean" said she. ''but AIRY Johnson was at
the bank yesterday, an, he tells me that you
drew out your money!
Dean.
But she said nothing, only knit away un-
til her needles seemed to glance and glitter
like points of fire.
II am trying to get boarding place at
Mrs. Swipes' added Helen coloriEg. so as
teach this spring. But Mrs. Swipes requires
payment in advance by the month. and un-
fortunately we have used up all our slender
means in providing my outfit. A teacher,
you know, must be dressed decentlv to com
mand the respect of her pupils. But if you
would kindly lend me $40"
II never lend" Said Mrs. Dean, CURLY.
IL will be sure to pay it up when | receive
my first quarters salary" pleaded Helen
And l don't know of any one else to &C
to-"
.'It's altogether against my principles y
said Mrs. Dean, with her face as hard as Il
it had been carved out of hickory.
Helen Hurst crept out, feeling Inundated
ana disappointed beyond all expression.
Mrs. Dean chuckled at her own shIewd
ness; but she hardly had time to stir up the
apples in the saucepan before Mrs. Graham
entered with little leather-covered mem
orandum book and pencil.
II am looking for charitable people, Mrs
Dean" said the 'Squires wife, with laagh
Then you've come to the wrong place,
said Mrs. Dean, frigidly.
''Poor Patrick O. Hare was killed yester
day in the machinery of the rolling mill,
said Mrs. Graham, ignoring her neighbor'
response. He had left a wife and eigh
children, totally destitute
And whose fault is that?' said Mrs
Dean.
Twill you not contribute something to
ward relieving their destitute condition.?
urged Mrs. Graham, opening the book an,
holding the pencil ready for use.
Certainly not" said Mrs. Dean. '1'v
no money to spare"
But was told -"
30, yes. about the money that was draw
out of the savings bank, said Mrs. Dear