Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-02-18
Mr.. Wiseman's Confession.

always thought my wife avery care
less little woman, and used to tell her
SO. She was very good humored, and
did not mind; and on that day wher
we went to Rutherford to receive the
little legacy her uncle left her, and had
1t paid over In crisp bank-notes, which
she put in her pocket-book, l said to
her, as we went out:
Snow, Anna Maria, my dear, you'll
put that in your pocket and have il
picked, or you'll carry it in your hand
and have 1t snatched away. So let me
take charge of it; three thousand dol
lars is too big a sum to us, too valuable,
to run any risks with"
"Well, yes, that's true, Solomon"
said she. $50 it is, but I've got the
pocket-book in my bag and my bag on
my arm, and l think it is very safe"
$50 safe that some one may cut the
strings" said /.
So Anna Maria stopped and undid
the bag and took out the pocket-book,
which put in the bottom of the in
side pocket of my overcoat; and we
walked on together arm-in-arm, and
talked about the things we'd do with
the money, until we got hungry, and l
proposed lunch at Stutfem's before we
took the cars for home. Anna Maria
liked the idea, and we proceeded to
carry it out.
That was very good lunch, and
well spread. Anna Maria took off her
cloak, and l my overcoat, and we did
justice to it. paid, of course, out OF
my own purse for It, and put on my
Overcoat with comfortable sigh. l
helped Anna Maria on with hers, and
we left the restaurant; but just outside
Anna Maria cried, cop and dropped
my arm and ran back.
She came out again In moment
smiling.
"What was the matterp" l asked.
''Did you leave anythingp"
She held up her handkerchief which
she had in her hand, and answered;
eve found it,"
And laughed.
'You see what careless little soul
you are" 1 said. "Not to be trusted
at ALL"
She nodded.
"And you are so careful, Solomon"
she said.
"Of course-of course" / said. IA
man has so many things to think OF
he's obliged to be more business-like.
don't blame you, little woman. Don't
think that"
And she giggled, she was so pleased.
That brought us to the station, where
we took the cars, and think dozed a
little on the way up.
Our own house seemed warm and
cheerful after the long journey. A bit
OF supper awaited us, and all looked
bright. Children in bed, and servant
anxious TO 60. So we sent her away
and sat down. 1 just threw back my
overcoat.
"Before we do anything else I'll put
the money in the SAFE" said-"your
money. Now don't take airs because
you are wealthy"
With this jest. l dived into my right
hand inner pocket. / never shall forget
the dreadful cold chill that ran through
me as found it empty.
"Pshap' l said to myself. "What
folly! It's the left pocket, of course"
l dipped into that. There was moth
ing there either.
Trembling and in cold Precipitation,
began to rummago every pocket in
my coat. tore it of. I shook it.
felt it. felt my other pockets.
seized the lamp and rushed about the
room searching the floor; then, with q
groan, sank into chair.
My wife ran towards me.
'What is the matter?" she cried.
"Do tell me, Solomon
II can'tp' 1 moaned. "You never
will forgive me. 1t is not possible.
You'd be more than human. Anna
Maria, Two been robbed The money
is gonev'
"What nonsense!" cried my wife. 81
tell you it can't be. You put it so safely
in your pocket"
"The thief must have cut the cloth"
said /.
seized the coat again. But no;
there was no cut, no rent anywhere
not a sign of one.
II don't think it could have been
stolen, my dear" said my wife, calmly
very calmly, considering that her lit.
tie fortune was gone. "But, perhaps,
when you hung your overcoat upside
down over the chair in the restaurant,
it dropped out"
"Good gracious!' l roared. us il
possible? Yes, it may be. ] must go
back to New York at ono. l must
offer q reward. l."
''What would you give?" asked my
wife, saucily.
| "Anna Mariar' cried "See here
| you YOU"
| 1 had no more words.
Eyes, you dear old goose" cried
Anna Maria, ~ did. After we left the
restaurant, Remembered that your coat
hung upside down over a chair. l re-
membered how you lost that cigar case
last winter, and | felt prompted to run
back at once. I did. My love, there
lay the pocket-book under the chair
AS yet no one had seen it. Here it u.s..
was too thankful to scold her. Az
the same time, rather felt that had
not been well used. was glad of the
relief, but l felt that should never
call my wife careless little woman
again. 1 never HAVEN Y. Ledger.
1