The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-03-14
A POCKET-PIECE.
BY MRS. NJ. z. HANDY,

Mrs. Ruther sat down, and folding
her hands-a thing she very seldom
did-looked ruefully at the breakfast
table with its array OF unwashed
dishes, at the pile of mending in her
work basket near the window, and,
last and longest, at the heap OF letters
IN her lap.
They were bills every one of them;
even the MISUNDERSTANDING square
white envelope, which no one could
have suspected of being a dun, held
the doctors memorandum OF the sum
due for professional services during
the past SIX months"
There were bills from the grocer, the
butcher and the baker, the traditional
candlestick-maker being formidably
represented by the gas company with
its quarterly statement.
The total made her sick at heart.
yet she had tried so hard to be eco
nomical,-too hard, she thought bitter
ly. as she remembered in her secret
soul that JOhnnie's attack OF pneumo-
mia might have been ayerted by stout
rubber boots and by new and warm
underclothing i'll place OF the old fan
nels she had patched and darned so
faithfully.
The newgarments had to bepurchas-
ed after ALL in spite OF her short sight
ed thrift They were the doctors first
prescription after the crisis was past.
She thought, too, how to save the
expense of sick nurse, which they
could so i'll afford. she had tried to
care for the sick boy day and night,
at u time when her own physical svs-
tenn called for rest. OF course, she had
broken down III the effort, with the
result that she, as well as Johnnie. had
to be nursed, and the doctor had two
patients instead of one. We all OF us
make such mistakes, now and then.
Well, there was no use in CRYING
over split milk; at all events. she had
no time to sit down for any such pur-
pose, so she went about her duties
with willing hands, if with a heavy
heart
There was one thing she could do.
if only John could be made to con
sent The new cloak, which made
such a heavy item in Draper & De
Lanes bill, and which John had given
her for Christmas. could be returned.
She had not worn it, and its purchase
had been conditional on her approval.
John, who, as every one Will under
stand was her husband, Mr.. Ruther-
was bOOkkeeper in downtown store,
with a salary which scarcely sufficed.
with strict economy, to buy bread and
butter, clothes and shelter. for his little
family.
Still, they managed to keep modest
bank account, and this was the first
time that they had really run behind
hand. But while she was sick there
had been no one to watch and guard
against all possible leaks. and the
grocery bill was double what it ought
to have been. As Tor generous. warm
hearted John, he had never stopped to
count dollars, much less pennies, with
his wife and boy lying i'll, the house
had been kept like an oven, ana the
amount OF coal and gas used had been
frightful.
She thought of all this again and
again through the long dav. and there
was small wonder If her children found
her absent-minded more than once.
That sum total haunted her like a
nightmare, and for the first time in her
life she dreaded her husband 5 coming.
because OF the burden OF care which
awaited him.
She put the hateful envelopes out OF
sight-at least he should eat his sup
per in peace and comfort-and made
the children tidy for their fathers
Homecoming. The fact that New
Year is a legal holiday in no wise
shortened his days work; the books
must be posted before taking account
OF stock
1t was long after dark, when at last
she heard the sound of the latch key
in the lock OF the front door. and she
hastened to hurry up supper, as the
children rushed pelimeil to welcome
their father. He came in smiling. as
usual. the center OF a small tumult Of
Joyful noise. Maybe YOU think il
isn't cold out OF doors, hesaid bright
ly. supper most ready2 I'm as hun
gry as a hunter And then. with a
glance at the mantel. No letters2-
only one delivery to-day, | remem-
Der =
Il think they might have let YOU of
early this afternoon" she answered
eN8SlNeIy.
Impossible. my dear" he replied
why this Is the very busiest part OF
the year, don't you know that. little
woman?'
Il ought to by this time. she said.
with a sorry attempt at a laugh: but
| couldn't help hoping all the same:
come, supper Is ready
Both Mrs. Ruther and her husband
al long ago taCItly agreed to surrender
10 the children the first hour or so
after his return every evening. 1t was
the children 5 hour, andu unless there
CHANGED TO accompany ut tea. all con
Versatlon in which they could not
take part was postponed until after
their early bedtime.
By and by that came. and the little
flock said good night. and went mn
stars with their mother to be tucked
away for the night.
Then hush fell on the household
and Mr.. Ruther lit his pipe. and drew
Inc evening paper form his pocket.
" hen his wife came down again and
took the seat on the other side of the
table with her sewing, he laid the news
paper down, and looked up with the