The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-05-29
An ALLOWANCE.

4AAv 4ADnV nAVOUe
We have been married just five years,
Lawrenes and 1: Five happy years, I
was going to say. But have they been
so very happy:
Then all alone by myself though /
am, I blush at the troublesome doubt,
and putting away my sewing, snatch
little Arthur from his building blocks
and hug him till his face grows purple.
"Does Artie love mammal" I say,
with mothers longing to hear the
lisping assurance again and again from
baby's lips.
"Ess, mo lubs pretty mamma" re-
plies my tiny son, stopping just long
enough to say so, and then hurrying
back to his blocks in a most business
like and masculine manner.
Presently, struck by a sudden
thought, he says, looking at me in a
sweetly coaxing way:
"Please, MANN, buy Artie some 'ub-
Der boots to-day"
"Oh, my precious, I cannot to-day,
you must wait little longer"
'But, mamma, de SHOWS coined now,
an 90 said Artie sood hab de boots to
do out snowballin'."
He says it with u grieved trembling
Of his lip and reproach in his dark eyes,
that breaks my heart. I cannot answer
at once, for the choking lump in my
throat forbids speech, and Artie elimps
up to the window to gaze out on the
snowy prospect.
ooh, mamma" he screams, as soon
as he has settled himself in new posi-
ton, ''De boys is building a snow
man, an Bobby Lee is helpin' EN-, an
Bobby's dot new 'ubber boots on. Oh,
mamma! tan't 90 Diet Artie's boots to-
day."
This second appeal almost breaks me-
down.. I know that Bobby's fathers
salary is less by two hundred dollars
by my Lawrence's and the Lees have q
larger family than We. Before I can
answer, Ellen comes in with the baby
in her arms. She is sulky and the little
one fearful.
IT wish ye'd take the baby ma'am.
She's awakened that cross there's no
plasin' her, an besides I've work enough
to do without being bothered lookin' af-
ter young one"
She says it impudently, and feel re-
sentful. but I remember that she has
asked dozen times for her wages,
now two months overdue, and feel it
impossible to rebuke the insolence of
her manner.
She is back in the room in half an
hour with the butchers bill, which she
hands me silently but impressively.
And hardly has she left it before the
grocer sends in his monthly account.
Ellen lays it on the shelf where have
put the other. She knows Lawrence
will pay those bills tomorrow as usual,
SO she takes the opportunity to say:
"Whin yer askin' the master to settle
thin, Id like We to get the money that's
due me ma'am."
do not answer, for how can hum
BILE myself to tell her that I have asked
again and uselessly, and although
shall nerve myself and make the effort,
! feel that it will probably be in vain
this time, too.
Ellen comes in again, and hardly
dare to look around, knowing this is the
time in the month when bills are prone
to arrive. But it is only an innocent
looking letter this time.
From Aunt Emma" I say, and as I
take it from the envelope, crisp five
dollar bill falls on my lap. She sends
it, she says, for me to buy myself lit
tie birthday gift.
ooh, Artie. my boy, you shall have
the rubber boots to-day. By and by,
when Ellen has time to look after baby,
we will 60 out and get them"
Artie executes wild war dance of de-
light, which enlivens his baby sister to
such degree, that she cheerfully con-
sents to be tied into a little chair and
placidly watch his gambols.
am as pleased as he and smile
idiotically at the toeless stockings am
darning, as if they too were grinning
with rapture.
But my pleasure is short lived. Ellen
comes again, vexed at the frequent ring
ing of the bell, and announced
that man wishes to see her. I hardly
like to ask her, sullen as she looks, to
stay with the children while 60 to him,
so tell her to send him in as I feel
nearly sure that know who my visitor
is, and am not mistaken. It is a lit
tie French Jew who has been dunning
me persistently twice a week this two
months fore little repairing done on
my seal-skin sack. I would gladly
have done it myself, as do everything
else that will save money, but I was
afraid of spelling my cloak by my mex
perienced handling.
He comes in bowling low, and grin
ming odiously. but suddenly his little
black eyes twinkle avariciously, and he
comes quite close to the stand where I
am sitting, and where [ have thought
lessly laid the fve-dollar bill. It is too
late to hide it now, and he rubs his yell
low hands together as if he were al
ready twisting it in his fingers.
"Al, madame is ready vid my little
monies, sed. Yer good, YER good.
I hat waited, waited long time madame
know, but vas YER sure it was coming
dis times"
I reached over for the bill almost
afraid he will seize it before I can.
"Danks, danks, madame, will receipt
de leetle BILL" he exclaims, never tax.
ing his eye from it while he fumbles in
his dirty est-pocket; land dare is mad
ame's change, dough for my great troub-
le in collecting, it is badly worth de
vile to talk of de change"
Then almost before knew it, my
five dollar bill was in his hand, and sew
enty-five cents, all that remains of it, is
laid, with the receipted bill, on the
stand by my side.
Ellen has stopped in the room during
the interview under the pretence of ar.
raying the baby in clean dress which
have been mending. She looks darkly
ak the mnnov which noakna tho h;11oors